The 49ers will participate in two international games in 2026—one in Australia and another in Mexico. While the voyage to Melbourne will be longer than the trip to Mexico City, the latter is expected to keep the team away from home for an even greater stretch.
“We haven’t finalized the details yet, but we would like to stay and travel as needed,” Coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters regarding the Week 11 matchup against the Vikings in Mexico City. “Flying distance isn’t the primary concern. The key issue is altitude. Mexico City sits 2,000 feet above Denver, so we’ll likely train in Colorado Springs to acclimate, as we did previously, before heading to Mexico City the night before.”
With the Week 10 game slated in Dallas, Shanahan was asked whether the team would head straight to Colorado from Texas.
“We have not decided yet, but most likely,” he replied. “The Mexico City trip is anticipated to last longer than the one to Australia.”
These dual international trips impose a significant load on the 49ers and may create a competitive disadvantage. Nonetheless, such concerns are currently secondary to the league’s broader goal of expanding the sport globally.
The NFL aims to conduct 16 international games annually, ideally allowing each team one overseas trip per season. This approach would level any travel-related disadvantages. At present, with a cap of ten international games, it is more equitable if no franchise is required to travel abroad more than once a year, especially given the intense competition in the NFC West. The 49ers’ two separate overseas trips underscore the challenge of maintaining competitiveness against rivals like the Seahawks and Rams.
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