NFL Declares San Francisco 49ers Will Return to Mexico Metropolis in 2026 Season

[ad_1] The San Francisco 49ers will return to Mexico Metropolis to play a regular-season recreation this season, the NFL stated Wednesday.

The date and opponent are but to be decided, however the recreation might be performed within the renovated Azteca Stadium, which was lately renamed Banorte.

The stadium has been closed for renovations since Might 2024 forward of the 2026 World Cup and can reopen in March with a soccer match between Mexico and Portugal.

The sport is the primary in a three-year-contract signed by the NFL to carry video games to Mexico.

"We're delighted to carry regular-season NFL video games again to Mexico Metropolis, reaffirming our deep and long-standing reference to followers throughout the nation," NFL Mexico director Normal Arturo Olivé stated.

The 49ers' final recreation in Mexico Metropolis was within the 2022 season, after they defeated the Arizona Cardinals 38-10 on a Monday evening at Estadio Azteca.

The NFL has hosted six regular-season video games south of the border since 2005, when the 49ers performed in opposition to the Cardinals in Mexico Metropolis within the NFL’s first worldwide regular-season recreation.

"We're thrilled to return to Mexico and to play in entrance of probably the most passionate fan bases within the league," 49ers CEO Al Guido stated. "After two unforgettable experiences in 2005 and 2022, we're excited to reunite with the Mexico devoted."

In response to the NFL workplace in Mexico, San Francisco is without doubt one of the hottest groups within the nation alongside the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. Mexico additionally has a 40 million fan base, the biggest exterior the USA.

The 49ers are one among 10 groups with advertising and marketing rights in Mexico as a part of the NFL's International Markets Program, giving them an opportunity to construct their model past the USA.

The sport in Mexico would be the second worldwide one this season for the 49ers, who're set to play the primary regular-season recreation in Australia.