Schedule Release Preview: Niners Schedule to be Unveiled May 12-14
From an overseas opener in Australia to a gauntlet of home games against elite playoff contenders, discover the grueling road ahead as San Francisco chases its sixth ring.
The San Francisco 49ers are set to begin their quest for Super Bowl No. 6 in September. We will know who that path will begin with in the regular season when the schedule is released this week.
Presently, we know that the Niners' schedule will kick off with the Los Angeles Rams overseas in Week 1. For now, that's all we really know as far as set dates for the schedule that have been confirmed. Much to the chagrin of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and fans, who looked to take over the Rams' stadium as usual, San Francisco will face Los Angeles in Australia in Week 1 to kick off the season.
It will be an interesting and enjoyable trip for those who can go to the game as the NFL looks to expand its interest worldwide. San Francisco will have the benefit of facing nine teams at home during the 2026 season as opposed to eight on the road. In addition to the three divisional opponents, who they will face both at home and away, the 49ers will take on the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders.
For a home slate, it is hard to envision a tougher path than that for the Niners, who face several 2025 playoff teams and new contenders for the upcoming season. The Denver Broncos took home the No. 1 seed in the AFC last year while the Philadelphia Eagles were the Niners' first round playoff matchup.