Week 3
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
September 27, 2026
Levi's Stadium
NFC West Rivalry
Cardinals–49ers
Desert birds versus Bay Area gold
A divisional rivalry between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers that became a twice-yearly fixture after the 2002 NFL realignment. It is notable as the only NFC matchup the 49ers have never played in the postseason.
The Rivalry
The two first met in the early 1950s, but the rivalry only sharpened when the 2002 realignment placed the Cardinals in the NFC West alongside San Francisco. Since then, the series has swung in dramatic streaks rather than settling into balance. The 49ers built multiple five-game winning runs over the Cardinals, while Arizona answered with a stretch of eight straight victories from 2015 through 2018. The games have produced memorable comebacks — Arizona once erased a 23-0 deficit to win in the final seconds. The rivalry ran especially hot in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
What's at Stake
As an NFC West pairing, every meeting feeds directly into division standings and playoff tiebreakers. The geographic angle sets Arizona's desert metro against the San Francisco Bay Area, two Western markets close enough that fan bases mingle.
Famous Moments
- 1988 — The Cardinals rallied from a 23-0 hole to beat the 49ers 24-23 in the final seconds.
- 1999 — A sack by Cardinals defensive back Aeneas Williams on Steve Young proved to be the 49ers quarterback's final NFL play.
- 2005 — The teams played the NFL's first regular-season game outside the United States, in Mexico City, with Arizona winning 31-14.
- 2015-2018 — The Cardinals won eight consecutive games against the 49ers.
- 2025 — San Francisco swept the season series, winning on a game-ending field goal by Eddy Pineiro.
The Cardinals–49ers Games in 2026
The Two Teams
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
State Farm Stadium · Glendale
Founded in 1898, the Cardinals are the oldest continuously operating professional football franchise in the United States.
NFC West
San Francisco 49ers
· Santa Clara
Five-time Super Bowl champions, the 49ers built a 1980s-90s dynasty around Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Steve Young.
Plan the Trip
Both cities reward a football road trip. The Cardinals host at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, a domed venue with a unique roll-out grass field. The 49ers play at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, in the heart of Silicon Valley and an easy reach from San Francisco.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cardinals–49ers
The two teams first met in 1951. A divisional rivalry between the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers that became a twice-yearly fixture after the 2002 NFL realignment. It is notable as the only NFC matchup the 49ers have never played in the postseason.
As an NFC West pairing, every meeting feeds directly into division standings and playoff tiebreakers. The geographic angle sets Arizona's desert metro against the San Francisco Bay Area, two Western markets close enough that fan bases mingle.
Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.
Arizona Cardinals host at State Farm Stadium in Glendale; San Francisco 49ers play at their home stadium in Santa Clara.
