So, the dust has finally settled on the 2025 campaign, and if you’re a member of the Faithful, you’re probably still feeling a bit of that sting from the Divisional Round loss in Seattle. Losing 41-6 is never easy to swallow. Honestly, it was a weird year. Brock Purdy showed some serious grit, Christian McCaffrey snagged the Bart Starr Award, and the team somehow fought their way to a 12-5 record despite a mid-season slump. But in the NFL, nobody cares about last year once the calendar hits January 18th.
Right now, everyone is staring at the horizon. You’ve probably already started wondering about the nfl san francisco 49ers schedule for 2026. When does it come out? Who are we playing? Will we finally get revenge on the Seahawks at Lumen Field?
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There is a lot of noise out there, but let’s get into the actual mechanics of how this works.
When the 2026 Schedule Actually Drops
If you see a website claiming to have the full week-by-week 2026 schedule right now, they’re basically lying to you. The NFL is a machine of habit. Based on how things went down in 2025—where the schedule was officially released on Wednesday, May 14th—we can pretty much bank on the 2026 NFL schedule release happening around May 13, 2026.
The league likes that mid-May sweet spot. It’s right after the Draft (which is in Pittsburgh this year, by the way) and just before the summer dead zone. Usually, the individual teams get to leak their own schedules about 30 minutes early, around 4:30 PM PT, before the big NFL Network special at 5:00 PM PT.
Who are the 49ers Playing in 2026?
While we don't have the dates yet, the "who" and "where" are already set in stone thanks to the NFL's rotation formula. Since the 49ers finished second in the NFC West behind Seattle, their 2026 slate is built around that standing.
Basically, the schedule is a math equation. You play your division rivals twice. You play one full NFC division and one full AFC division on a rotating cycle. Then, you play the teams that finished in the same "slot" as you (second place) in the remaining divisions.
The Home Slate at Levi's Stadium
Expect the Santa Clara traffic to be brutal for these matchups. We know for a fact these teams are coming to our house:
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- Seattle Seahawks: The rivalry is officially "heated" again.
- Los Angeles Rams: Expect plenty of blue and gold in the stands, even if we try to keep them out.
- Arizona Cardinals: Always a physical, weird game.
- Dallas Cowboys: This is the big one. Because the NFC West plays the NFC East in 2026, Dak (or whoever is under center) is coming back to Levi’s.
- New York Giants: Another NFC East matchup.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Yep. The AFC West rotation is back. Get ready for more Patrick Mahomes drama.
- Los Angeles Chargers: The Harbaugh-SF connection always makes this a weird vibe.
- Green Bay Packers: Since both teams finished second in their divisions, the Packers are scheduled to visit Santa Clara.
The Road Warriors: Away Games
The 2026 road trip list looks a bit daunting, especially the East Coast swings.
- Seattle/LA/Arizona: The standard NFC West tour.
- Philadelphia Eagles: This is going to be a toxic environment, as usual. Lincoln Financial Field is never kind to us.
- Washington Commanders: A trip to the nation's capital to face whatever Dan Quinn has cooked up by then.
- Denver Broncos: High altitude and probably a very cold late-season game.
- Las Vegas Raiders: The "home away from home" game where the Faithful usually take over Allegiant Stadium.
- Minnesota Vikings: The 49ers will travel to Minneapolis to face the second-place finisher of the NFC North.
The 17th Game Mystery
Remember, the NFL has that 17th game now. It’s an "interconference" matchup based on standings. For 2026, the NFC West is matched up against the AFC North. Since the 49ers finished second in the NFC West, they will play the second-place team from the AFC North.
Looking at the 2025 standings, that means a date with the Baltimore Ravens. Since the 49ers had 9 home games in 2025, they will likely have 9 road games in 2026, meaning that Ravens game is probably happening in Baltimore.
Why the Bye Week Matters More Than You Think
Keep an eye on the Week 14 spot. In 2025, the 49ers had a late bye in Week 14. It was a blessing and a curse. It gave the team a chance to heal up for the playoff push, but by the time December rolled around, the guys were running on fumes.
Kyle Shanahan’s system is incredibly taxing on the bodies of guys like Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey. If the nfl san francisco 49ers schedule for 2026 gives them an early bye (Week 5 or 6), it could lead to a mid-season slump. Ideally, you want that Week 9 or 10 break.
Travel Miles: The Silent Killer
The 49ers consistently rank in the top five for most miles traveled. Living on the West Coast just sucks for logistics. In 2026, with trips to Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, and potentially Minnesota, the team is going to be living on a Boeing 747.
Expert tip: Look for "back-to-back" East Coast games. Shanahan loves to stay out East (usually in Youngstown, Ohio, or Florida) between games to keep the players' body clocks from resetting. If you see the Eagles and Commanders back-to-back on the schedule, expect the team to be away from home for 10 days straight.
Primetime Projections
Expect the maximum allowed primetime games (six). The NFL loves the 49ers' TV ratings.
- 49ers vs. Cowboys: This is a lock for Sunday Night Football or a 4:25 PM ET "Game of the Week."
- 49ers vs. Chiefs: This will almost certainly be a late-season national broadcast.
- 49ers vs. Seahawks: Expect one of these to be on Thursday Night Football (Amazon Prime).
- 49ers vs. Eagles: This has "Monday Night Football" written all over it.
Getting Tickets Without Getting Scammed
Honestly, the secondary market is a mess. If you’re looking to buy tickets once the schedule drops in May, avoid the "speculative listings" you see on some sites right now. Those sellers don't actually have the tickets yet—they're gambling that they can buy them cheaper later and flip them to you.
Wait for the official release. If you're a season ticket holder, your invoices will hit your portal within minutes of the announcement. For everyone else, Ticketmaster and StubHub are the "safe" bets, but the fees will make you want to throw your phone.
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What to Do Now
Since we're in that weird limbo between the 2025 heartbreak and the 2026 hope, here is how you should handle the next few months:
- Mark May 13th on your calendar. That is the likely "Schedule Release Day."
- Don't book flights yet. The opponents are set, but a "road game in Las Vegas" could be in September or January.
- Watch the compensatory picks. The NFL will announce these in March. More picks mean more depth, which makes a brutal travel schedule much easier to handle.
- Keep an eye on the international games. The NFL is expanding the global footprint. There’s always a slim chance the 49ers get tapped for a game in London or Germany, though it's less likely in 2026 given their current home-away rotation.
The 2026 season is a chance for redemption. The core is still there. Purdy is older, the defense is still nasty, and Levi's Stadium will be rocking. We just have to wait for that May afternoon to see exactly how the road to the Super Bowl is paved.