Upcoming San Francisco 49ers dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
The 49ers: gold rush name, five rings
The San Francisco 49ers play their home games at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, in the South Bay, with a regular season that runs from September into early January. They compete in the NFC West against the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and joined the NFL when the leagues merged in 1949. Its name honors the prospectors of the California gold rush. The 49ers won five Super Bowls in 14 seasons: XVI (1981 season), XIX (1984), XXIII (1988), XXIV (1989) and XXIX (1994), a run that made the red and gold one of the league's national brands.
That national reach shapes ticket demand. The 49ers draw strongly at home and travel well, and their rivalries with the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks have produced many of the franchise's defining playoff games.
Levi's Stadium and its sun problem
Levi's Stadium opened in July 2014. It holds about 68,500 for football and expands to roughly 75,000 for major events. The design puts about two-thirds of fans in the lower bowl, one of the largest lower bowls in the NFL, and stacks most of the luxury suites in a tower on the west side. That tower pulls the upper deck closer to the field, but it also creates the stadium's best-known issue.
The east side, where most fans sit, has no overhang. During afternoon games the east stands are fully exposed to the sun, and several fans suffered heat exhaustion at early-season afternoon games after the stadium opened. Federal Aviation Administration height limits tied to the nearby airport prevent the team from adding a roof or tall shade structures. The west side, under and in front of the suite tower, gets shade earlier in the afternoon as the sun moves behind it.
Free sunscreen is available at guest services stations, but the better fix is choosing your side.
Picking seats: sun side, shade side and value
For afternoon games in August, September and October
Choose the west side if heat matters to you. The east lower bowl and east upper deck sit in direct sun for much of a 1 p.m. kickoff, and Santa Clara is warm and dry in early fall. Low rows on the east side are often the hottest seats in the building. If you do buy on the east side for a day game, bring a hat, water and sunscreen, and expect the sun in your face until late in the game.
For night games and late-season dates
The sun stops being a factor. East-side seats along the 50-yard line become a good buy, since they can sell for less than comparable west-side seats and the sightlines are just as strong.
Best view
The lower bowl between the 20-yard lines, about row 15 and higher, sees over the sideline crowd. The club seats in the 200 level add indoor lounge access, which is worth more on a hot day than on a cool night.
Best value
The front rows of the upper deck along the sidelines give a high, clear angle on the whole field. The corners and end zones of the upper deck are the weakest seats: distant, and on the east side, unshaded. Confirm which bench is on which sideline on the seat map for your specific game before paying a sideline premium.
Which 49ers games draw the most demand
The NFL season opens with August preseason games, runs a 17-game regular season from September to early January (eight or nine home games), and finishes with January playoffs. 49ers home demand is strong across the board, but a few patterns stand out.
- Classic rivals: the Cowboys and Packers bring decades of playoff history and large traveling fan bases.
- Division games: the Seahawks and Rams matchups carry standings weight, and both fan bases make the trip.
- Prime-time dates: night games remove the heat issue and draw extra interest.
- Playoff games: home postseason games have a short buying window and sell quickly.
Preseason games and early-season afternoon games against small-market opponents are usually the easiest to buy, and on hot afternoons the east stands have at times been noticeably empty, a sign of how much the sun affects what buyers will pay for that side.
Getting to Santa Clara by rail, car and bike
Levi's Stadium is one of the most transit-friendly NFL venues. VTA light rail stops at Great America station on the north side of the stadium, with service from San Jose, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Milpitas and Campbell. ACE trains run to 49ers home games from Stockton, Tracy, Livermore, Pleasanton and Fremont, and Capitol Corridor trains connect Sacramento, Oakland and Berkeley. From San Francisco, ride Caltrain to Mountain View and transfer to VTA light rail. The stadium's transit page has current schedules.
Driving means buying a parking pass in advance where possible; day-of credit card lots are limited and can cost more. Tailgating is allowed in designated lots, limited to individual spaces, and must end at kickoff. A free bike valet runs at Gates A and C for NFL games.
Bag policy and stadium rules
As of the 2025 season, Levi's Stadium allows only clear bags no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, one-gallon clear plastic bags and small clutches around 4.5 by 5 inches. The stadium is cashless, with reverse ATMs that convert cash to cards, and re-entry is not permitted. Check the venue's current policy before you go.
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From Kezar to Candlestick to Santa Clara
The 49ers played at Kezar Stadium in Golden Gate Park from 1946 through 1970, then moved to Candlestick Park on the bay, where they spent more than four decades and built their dynasty. The defining moment came there in January 1982: The Catch, Joe Montana's touchdown pass to Dwight Clark in the NFC Championship Game against Dallas, which launched the team's first Super Bowl run.
The move to Levi's Stadium in 2014 brought the team closer to Silicon Valley. The stadium has since hosted Super Bowl 50 in February 2016 and Super Bowl LX in February 2026, along with matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It also carries LEED Gold certification, with solar panels and a green roof. Team schedules are on the 49ers' official site.
Frequently asked questions
Which side of Levi's Stadium is in the shade?
The west side, in front of the suite tower, gets shade earlier during afternoon games. The east side has no overhang and sits in direct sun for much of an afternoon kickoff.
Where do the 49ers play?
The 49ers play at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, which opened in 2014 and holds about 68,500 for football.
How do you get to Levi's Stadium by public transit?
VTA light rail stops at Great America station next to the stadium. ACE and Capitol Corridor trains serve game days, and riders from San Francisco can take Caltrain to Mountain View and transfer to VTA.
What are the best seats for a 49ers game?
For day games, west-side sideline seats in the lower bowl, about row 15 and up, combine the best view with shade. For night games, east-side sideline seats are often an equally good view at a better value.
How many Super Bowls have the 49ers won?
Five: Super Bowls XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV and XXIX, after the 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989 and 1994 seasons.
Is there a clear-bag policy at Levi's Stadium?
Yes. As of the 2025 season, bags must be clear and no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, with small clutches allowed. Check the stadium's current policy before you go.