MN Vikings Selected for Yet Another International Game
Not only have the Minnesota Vikings been featured in the NFL’s slate of international games each of the past two seasons, but last year, they were the visiting team overseas TWICE. The first in Dublin against the Steelers, the second in London against the Browns.
On paper, their 1.5 week-long business trip was semi-successful. They lost to Pittsburgh in the first game, then destroyed the Browns in game two, eventually flying back to America with a 3-2 record on the season.
The trip, itself, though… was HARD on everyone involved. Even beyond losing Jordan Addison long enough for him to miss a practice, the entire trip seemed to wear on everyone involved.
Minnesota Vikings officially set to play internationally again
Thus, it felt like the Minnesota Vikings would happily accept at least one year off from all international league duties. After all, three overseas games in two years is probably be enough to satisfy the league’s international appetite for purple, right?
Wrong. On Wednesday, after rumors leaked Tuesday evening, the NFL officially announced the Vikings as the San Francisco 49ers road opponent for their international home game on November 22 (Week 11) in Mexico City.
¡Vamos Vikings!
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 13, 2026
We're heading to Mexico City this year for a Week 11 @SNFonNBC matchup with the 49ers.https://t.co/JwRRQu6YHE pic.twitter.com/a2vTyAsNDA
Today’s announcement not only pays off a leak last night by @NerdingonNFL (X). It also proves rumors true from months ago, back when the Niners’ game in Mexico City was first announced — that the Vikings could be a possible opponent.
If you are head coach Kevin O’Connell or others inside the MN Vikings organization who might, understandably, be tired of playing in these international contests, I wouldn’t blame you.
Playing in Mexico City should help Vikings
Don’t worry, though. This trip is NOT the same as last year’s, or even the London trip in 2024. Obviously, this is just a weekend trip, not two weeks. And while the game isn’t being held in the United States of America, it is being held in North America, making travel much easier.
The flight time from Minneapolis to Mexico City is pretty much the same (4.5 hours) as flying out to Santa Clara (4 hours). However, Mexico City is on Central Time, meaning the home Niners will be the team adjusting to a different time zone, not the Minnesota Vikings.
If you look right now, you’ll see Mexico City is an hour behind us, but that’s because they do not recognize Daylight Savings Time. We flip back to Central Standard Time this year on November 1.
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Some (myself) tried to argue last season that the Vikings’ trip to Europe could be a competitive advantage, compared to playing Pittsburgh and Cleveland at their home stadiums. I was clearly wrong.
This time around, it’s pretty safe to say the MN Vikings would rather be playing the SF 49ers in Mexico City, rather than Santa Clara. Nonetheless, this will mark the fourth international game they have played in the past three seasons. Just call us the Jaguars of the North.
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