NFL preview: 49ers, Rams open 2026 season in Finland KOTKA, Finland (Interstat) — The San Francisco 49ers will open the 2026 NFL season against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10, at Melbourne Cricket Ground. San Francisco is the visiting team, and Los Angeles is the home team. Both teams enter 0-0. The 49ers’ most recent game was a 41-6 loss at Seattle on Jan. 17, 2026. The Rams’ last outing was a 31-27 loss at Seattle on Jan. 25, 2026. Interstat’s game simulator projects the Rams to win 30-24. The projected six-point margin suggests a close game between NFC West rivals, but Los Angeles is favored to start 1-0. San Francisco will try to avoid an 0-1 start before returning home. After the opener, San Francisco hosts Miami on Sept. 20, Arizona on Sept. 27 and Denver on Oct. 4. The 49ers visit Seattle on Oct. 11, then host Washington on Oct. 19 and visit Atlanta on Oct. 25. San Francisco hosts Las Vegas on Nov. 8, visits Dallas on Nov. 15, hosts Minnesota on Nov. 22 and closes the listed stretch against Seattle on Nov. 29. The Rams will host the New York Giants on Sept. 21 before visiting Denver on Sept. 27 and Philadelphia on Oct. 4. Los Angeles hosts Buffalo on Oct. 12, Arizona on Oct. 18 and the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 1. The Rams visit Las Vegas on Oct. 25, Washington on Nov. 8 and Arizona on Nov. 15 before hosting Green Bay on Nov. 25. The international game will be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Kotka, Finland, giving the NFL another overseas regular-season matchup. Although Los Angeles is listed as the home team, the game is far from either team’s home stadium and will be played in an unusual setting for an NFC West clash. San Francisco will look to build early momentum behind its defense and running game, while Los Angeles is expected to test the 49ers through the air. If the simulation holds, the Rams will win by six points and hand San Francisco a season-opening defeat. For the 49ers, a competitive start would ease concerns after their lopsided final result last season. For the Rams, a win would provide an early edge in the division race and momentum before a challenging stretch that includes Denver, Philadelphia and Buffalo. The Thursday matchup will be the first of 10 listed games for both teams, with San Francisco’s next home game set for Sept. 20 against Miami and Los Angeles’ next game set for Sept. 21 against the Giants.