First Vikings Schedule Leak Is Here
· Yahoo Sports
The NFL will release the full schedule on Thursday, but on Tuesday, some “leakers” got a head start on the process, plopping the Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City for a Week 11 tryst with the San Francisco 49ers.
The matchup adds travel, altitude, history, and another international spotlight to Minnesota’s 2026 slate.
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The leak was initially considered “unconfirmed,” but it’s worth noting that the source — @NerdingonNFL on Twitter (X) — had been accurate historically with such leaks.
Minnesota Draws a Primetime Stage Abroad
A pre-Thanksgiving date in Mexico is all the rage for the Vikings early this week.
San Francisco 49ers running back Eli Mitchell carries the football during second-half action against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 28, 2021, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Minnesota linebacker Eric Kendricks closes in as Mitchell turns upfield in a tightly contested NFC matchup between the longtime conference opponents during the 2021 regular season. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.The SF-MIN Leak
It was a pretty straightforward leak from @NerdingonNFL Tuesday evening, tweeting, “NFL SCHEDULE LEAK Vikings vs 49ers in Mexico City — Week 11 — Sun Nov 22nd 8:20 ET on NBC.”
49ersWebZone‘sDavid Bonilla added, “The game will be part of a record-setting nine international contests scheduled for 2026, spanning four continents, seven countries, and eight stadiums. The NFL has also committed to staging regular-season games in Mexico City through 2028.”
“The 49ers are one of 10 teams with marketing rights in Mexico under the NFL’s Global Markets Program, which allows clubs to expand their brand and fan base internationally.”
The Confirmation
On Wednesday morning, after the leak, the Vikings confirmed the news, posting on social media, “¡Vamos Vikings! We’re heading to Mexico City this year for a Week 11 Sunday Night Football matchup with the 49ers.”
As suspected, @NerdingonNFL nailed it.
Vikings.com’s Craig Peters added, “The contest is one of a record nine international games across four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums in 2026. Minnesota’s complete schedule for 2026 will be announced at 6:30 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, May 14 on Vikings.com and the team’s official app and social media channels.”
“The Vikings completed a historic double-dip in 2025, becoming the first NFL team to play consecutive international games in different countries, falling to the Steelers in Ireland and rallying past the Browns in the United Kingdom.”
Recent Meeting History
Strangely, this series history is dead even: 25-25-1. At least for a while, the 2026 game will be a rubbermatch.
San Francisco 49ers fans react from the stands during a road matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 23, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The primetime showdown featured a heavy turnout of visiting supporters as the 49ers and Vikings battled in a nationally televised NFC clash under the lights in downtown Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.More recently, the meetings have resulted in these outcomes:
2024: Vikings def. 49ers (23-17)
2023: Vikings def. 49ers (22-17)
2021: 49ers def. Vikings (34-26)
2020: 49ers def. Vikings (27-10)
2018: Vikings def. 49ers (24-16)
Minnesota does not have luck against San Francisco in the postseason, however. The 49ers hold the advantage with a 5-1 (.833) all-time postseason record over the Vikings.
San Francisco Chronicle‘s Eric Branch noted on the venue, “The league hasn’t held a game in Mexico City since the 49ers beat the Cardinals 38-10 on Nov. 21, 2022, at what was then called Estadio Azteca. The hiatus was a result of extensive renovations to the 60-year-old venue.”
“The stadium’s name was changed in 2025 due to a 12-year sponsorship deal with Banorte, a Mexican bank, which funded upgrades to Latin America’s largest stadium before it hosts World Cup matches this summer.”
The International Fascination Continues
The announcement marks the Vikings’ fifth game in five years at international venues. Somewhere along the line, Minnesota’s ownership group decided that playing abroad was the meal ticket; it’s almost become an annual tradition, with no signs of slowing down.
Here’s the regular season skinny internationally in franchise history:
2013: Vikings def. Steelers (34-27)
2017: Vikings def. Browns (33-16)
2022: Vikings def. Saints (28-25)
2024: Vikings def. Jets (23-17)
2025: Steelers def. Vikings (24-21)
2025: Vikings def. Browns (21-17)
The Rest of the Opponents (Not in Order)
With the 49ers showdown in Mexico City confirmed, the club still awaits times and dates for 16 other matchups. In the meantime, we know Minnesota will play these clubs at home:
- Chicago Bears
- Buffalo Bills
- Indianapolis Colts
- Washington Commanders
- Miami Dolphins
- Atlanta Falcons
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Carolina Panthers
And this is the road menu:
- San Francisco 49ers (Mexico City, Week 11)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Chicago Bears
- New York Jets
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
Sportsbooks expect the Vikings to win eight or nine games this go-round.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings races into the end zone after breaking free for a touchdown against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 28, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Jennings finished the scoring drive during second-half action as San Francisco pushed for a late-season NFC victory at home before the postseason. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images.The contest will also be a “revenge game” for new Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who signed with the club last Thursday night. The 49ers drafted Jennings in the 7th Round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and after six seasons, San Francisco did not re-up his contract this offseason. Following the draft, when Minnesota picked no rookie wideouts, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski realized he needed a better WR3 and took the plunge with Jennings.