The NFL's International Series for 2022 will conclude in Week 11 as the 49ers and Cardinals square off in Mexico City. It will be the fifth regular-season game played in Mexico City all time and the fifth game to be played outside the United States this year.
Three games have been played in London and one has been played in Munich in 2022. This will be the first game in Mexico City since 2019, when the Chiefs beat the Chargers 24-17. As has become custom, it will feature West Division teams.
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The "Monday Night Football" contest will be the first game in Mexico City for the teams as part of the International Series, but the second game between the franchises there (the first game was in 2005). That is particularly significant for the 49ers given their large following. Although the Cardinals gave up a home game for this matchup, expect a significant amount of scarlet and gold in the stands at Estadio Azteca.
Here's what to know about the matchup:
History of NFL games in Mexico
An annual NFL game in Mexico is a recent phenomenon. Three games have been played in Estadio Azteca since the league's return there in 2016 (the Niners and Cardinals played a game at the stadium in 2005). A fourth game had to be moved to the Los Angeles Coliseum because of poor field conditions.
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Estadio Azteca, one of the most famous soccer stadiums in the world, housed NFL games in 2016, 2017 and 2019. The 2018 game was moved to LA. That was the 54-51 thriller won by the Rams over the Chiefs. There were no games there in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Games in Mexico City
| Year | Date | Game | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Oct. 2 | 49ers vs. Cardinals | ARI 31, SF 14 |
| 2016 | Nov. 21 | Texans vs. Raiders | OAK 27, HOU 20 |
| 2017 | Nov. 19 | Patriots vs. Raiders | NE 33, OAK 8 |
| 2019 | Nov. 18 | Chiefs vs. Chargers | KC 24, LA 17 |
| 2022 | Nov. 21 | 49ers vs. Cardinals | TBD |
NFL International Series 2022
The NFL has been making a concerted effort to expand its global footprint, and the game in Mexico City are part of that effort. This game will mark the last of five games played outside the U.S. this year.
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Estadio Azteca's availability after this year is in question as it prepares for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
NFL International games 2022
| Date | Venue | Game | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 2 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) | Vikings vs. Saints | MIN 28, NO 25 |
| Oct. 9 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) | Giants vs. Packers | NYG 27, GB 22 |
| Oct. 30 | Wembley Stadium (London) | Broncos vs. Jaguars | DEN 21, JAX 17 |
| Nov. 13 | Allianz Arena (Munich) | Seahawks vs. Buccaneers | TB 21, SEA 16 |
| Nov. 21 | Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) | 49ers vs. Cardinals | TBD |