SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
NFL schedule release 2023: Who are the 49ers playing in the regular season?
May 11, 2023, 5:00 PM | Updated: 5:50 pm

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: A general view of the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium on September 26, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
After weeks of waiting and countless teases, the NFL has finally released the full schedule for the 2023 regular season.
The NFL officially announced the full schedule Thursday evening on NFL Network, after dropping select holiday and prime-time contests in the days leading up. The 2023 season will consist of an 18-week (17 game) regular season, running from Sept. 7 to Jan. 7, 2024.
2023’s opening contest will feature the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs playing host to the Detroit Lions.
The league office has made a lot of changes to scheduling rules this season, including the ability for any team to appear on Thursday Night Football twice. Thankfully, only four teams fall into this category for 2023: The Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers.
The Red & Gold will play hosts to the New York Giants Week 3 on TNF on Amazon Prime Video. Then, San Francisco will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks on Thanksgiving in Week 12. In fact, the 49ers will have five primetime games in 2023, tied for second-most in the NFL. Those games include spots on Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football and Christmas, becoming the lone squad with games on both holidays this year.
The San Francisco #49ers full 2023 regular-season schedule: pic.twitter.com/BqaUfUVZxm
— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) May 12, 2023
After it was reported earlier in the week that there 49ers would not be playing in the International Series next season, they were expected to be heavily featured in primetime fixtures throughout the year.
San Francisco also has a lengthy road schedule in 2023, with games in Philadelphia, Washington, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Minnesota and Jacksonville. The 49ers will start the season on the road, playing the Steelers in Week 1 and the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, before returning home in Week 3.
The #49ers will travel 29,958 miles this season, the second most in the NFL, per @billsperos pic.twitter.com/TyI5HVXhxV
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) May 10, 2023
Despite having a robust travel schedule, the 49ers have the 15th-highest strength of schedule for 2023, with opponents averaging a .514 winning percentage. The Philadelphia Eagles have the hardest “SOS” at .566, while the Atlanta Falcons have the best schedule at .417.
San Francisco will have their bye week in Week 9, the same as the 2022 season.
49ers Full 2023 NFL Schedule:
Week 1: at Steelers, Sunday 9/10
Week 2: at Rams, Sunday 9/17
Week 3: vs. Giants, Thursday 9/21 (TNF)
Week 4: vs. Cardinals, Sunday 10/1
Week 5: vs. Cowboys, Sunday 10/8 (SNF)
Week 6: at Browns, Sunday 10/15
Week 7: at Vikings, Monday 10/23 (MNF)
Week 8: vs. Bengals, 10/29
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: at Jaguars, Sunday 11/12
Week 11: vs. Buccaneers, Sunday 11/19
Week 12: at Seahawks, Thursday 11/24 (Thanksgiving)
Week 13: at Eagles, Sunday 12/3
Week 14: vs. Seahawks, Sunday 12/10
Week 15: at Cardinals, Sunday 12/17
Week 16: vs. Ravens, Monday 12/25 (MNF on Christmas)
Week 17: at Commanders, Sunday 12/31
Week 18: vs. Rams, 1/6 – 1/7/24
Click here to view the NFL’s full schedule release for the 2023 season.
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