49ers release full 2026 schedule. Here’s an instant analysis of each week’s game
The 49ers are going to have to overcome significant logistical challenges if they’re going make a return trip to playoffs in the ultra-competitive NFC West in 2026.
San Francisco is slated to travel more miles than any team in NFL history this fall, thanks to their schedule announced Thursday via social media video, part of the NFL’s schedule release extravaganza this week.
The 49ers are slated to travel 38,105 miles, thanks largely to playing their season opener in Melbourne, Australia, against the Los Angeles Rams and having a “home” game in Mexico City before Thanksgiving against the Minnesota Vikings.
Otherwise, the 49ers will play a third-place schedule that includes the difficult AFC West and high-profile NFC East.
Here’s a look, week-by-week, at the 49ers’ schedule, followed by a few (not-so-bold) predictions of how the 2026 regular season might play out for San Francisco.
Preseason
Kickoff times and dates are undetermined for the 49ers’ first and final preseason games. The second game, against the Chargers, will be 7:20 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20. TV networks have not yet been determined for any of the three games.
Week of Aug. 13-16, vs. Tennessee Titans
It wouldn’t be surprising if the 49ers and Titans had joint practices ahead of this one. New Titans coach Robert Saleh might even try to use his former office.
Thursday, Aug. 20, at Los Angeles Chargers
A rare case of a preseason game between two teams who will play during the regular season at the same venue.
Week of Aug. 27-30, at Las Vegas Raiders
With these teams slated to play in November, don’t expect many (any?) starters to suit up for either team.
Week 1, at Los Angeles Rams (in Melbourne)
When: 5:35 p.m. Pacific, Thursday, Sept. 10
TV: Netflix
The 49ers split their two rivalry games with the Rams last season, with San Francisco pulling out an unlikely win Thursday night in early October with Mac Jones at quarterback. Kyle Shanahan has joked about the Rams pushing for this game to be at a neutral site, given 49ers fans are known for traveling to SoFi Stadium in L.A. in big numbers.
This will be the first game ever played in Australia, and it’s no doubt the traveling will be a significant obstacle for each team to deal with early in the season.
Week 2, vs. Miami Dolphins
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20
TV: Fox
The NFL gave the 49ers three straight home games following their trip down under. The downside: all three games will be afternoon starts, which San Francisco has typically tried to avoid given how hot it can get at Levi’s Stadium early in the season.
The heat shouldn’t be a problem for the Dolphins coming from humid Miami, though they are in the earliest stages of a roster reconstruction under new coach Jeff Hafley. Oddsmakers have their over/under for the season set at 4.5 wins.
Week 3, vs. Arizona Cardinals
When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27
TV: Fox
The Cardinals also have a new coach — former 49ers assistant Mike LaFleur — and similarly low expectations to the Dolphins.
Their quarterback situation is a question mark, with Jacoby Brissett staying away from the team in search for a new contract, Gardner Minshew brought in to be a backup and rookie Carson Beck looking to develop.
Week 4, vs. Denver Broncos
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4
TV: CBS
The Broncos are coming off a trip to the AFC Championship Game and a 14-3 regular season. They thought they had a chance at winning the Super Bowl if not for losing Bo Nix to a fractured ankle in the divisional round.
Sean Payton’s team boasts one of the best offensive lines and defenses, on paper, heading into the new season.
Week 5, at Seattle Seahawks
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11
TV: Fox
The 49ers return to where their 2025 season ended to the eventual Super Bowl champs. The Seahawks embarrassed the 49ers both in the regular season finale — costing San Francisco the No. 1 seed in the conference — and in the postseason.
Make no mistake: The 49ers have reshaped their roster this offseason largely with beating Seattle in mind.
Week 6, vs. Washington Commanders
When: 5:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19
TV: ESPN (Monday Night Football)
The second primetime game of the season comes against former 49ers executive Adam Peters’ team, which is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 4-13 finish to 2025.
Will Jayden Daniels regain his status as one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks? Will Brandon Aiyuk, rumored to have heavy interest from Washington, be out for revenge against the 49ers?
Week 7, at Atlanta Falcons
When: 10 a.m. Pacific
TV: Fox
49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris likely has this one circled after being fired as head coach of the Falcons following three seasons with an 18-25 record. Atlanta has a talented group of skill players led by running back Bijan Robinson and receiver Drake London.
The Falcons’ success falls on the shoulder of quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is coming off his third career ACL tear dating back to college.
Week 8, bye
The 49ers have their bye near the middle of the regular season after getting it in Week 14 last year. They had it Week 9 in each of the previous two years.
Week 9, vs. Las Vegas Raiders
When: 1:05 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
When: Fox
It’s always spirited when the former Bay Area rivals go at it. The Raiders spent the No. 1 overall draft pick on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who has a chance to shine throwing to star tight end Brock Bowers and handing it off to running back Ashton Jeanty.
Former 49ers assistant Klint Kubiak is the Raiders new head coach after a successful stint as the Seahawks offensive coordinator.
Week 10, at Dallas Cowboys
A difficult stretch begins here with a road game in Dallas, where the Cowboys will try to get back to the playoffs for the first time since losing in the Wild Card round in 2023. A third consecutive losing season would create even more questions about polarizing quarterback Dak Prescott.
Week 11, vs. Minnesota Vikings (in Mexico City)
When: 5:20 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22
TV: NBC
San Francisco’s second international game will come against receiver Jauan Jennings, who signed with Minnesota last week after failing to come to a long-term agreement with the 49ers.
The Vikings are always well coached under Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who has often stifled Shanahan offenses with his creative blitzes and disguised coverages. The 49ers last played in Mexico City in 2022 in a win, beating the Arizona Cardinals.
Week 12, vs. Seattle Seahawks
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29
TV: Fox
This is the start of a rough six-game stretch that could define the 49ers’ season.
They tallied just 173 yards of offense and 3 points the last time the Seahawks were in Santa Clara in the regular season finale last January.
Week 13, at New York Giants
When: 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6
TV: Fox
It’s another long road trip, but only the second 10 a.m. start time on the West Coast. The Giants are going to be talked about as a playoff sleeper under new coach John Harbaugh with quarterback Jaxson Dart in his second season.
New York’s defense could dominate after drafting edge rushers Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese in the top five of the last two drafts.
Week 14, vs. Los Angeles Rams
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13
TV: Fox
Shanahan is 11-8 all time against Sean McVay and the Rams.
But McVay has the trump card with the win in the NFC title game in 2022 and their win in the Super Bowl two weeks later.
Week 15, at Los Angeles Chargers
When: 5:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17
TV: Prime Video
The Chargers are another team with high expectations going into 2026 after adding former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to the same role under Jim Harbaugh. Quarterback Justin Herbert has been as good as anyone during his six regular seasons, but he’s 0-3 in the playoffs.
Week 16, at Kansas City Chiefs
When: 1:25 p.m Sunday, Dec. 27
TV: CBS
There’s some real history between these two teams. They squared off in two Super Bowls, they each employed Joe Montana, and Arrowhead Stadium was the site of Jimmy Garoppolo’s 2018 torn ACL which might have changed the trajectory of his career with the 49ers.
PSA to 49ers fans looking to travel to a road game: Kansas City is a bucket-list NFL atmosphere with top-shelf barbecue to boot.
Week 17, vs. Philadelphia Eagles
When: 5:20 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3
TV: NBC
A late-season game between two teams that hate each other in primetime with playoff ramifications potentially on the line? This is great scheduling from the NFL.
The Eagles will be desperate to avenge January’s upset playoff loss on their home field, while the 49ers will look to win their third straight against Nick Sirianni’s squad.
Week 18, at Arizona Cardinals
When: Saturday, Jan. 9 or Sunday, Jan. 10. Time TBD
TV: TBD
Barring the Cardinals drastically overachieving, it’s a safe bet this regular-season finale won’t be flexed into primetime.
It’s also the first game in six weeks against a team that isn’t projected to be in the playoff mix, on paper.
