Faithful Flashbacks #62: The 49ers Open Levi’s Stadium

Faithful Flashbacks revisits the opening of Levi’s Stadium and the 49ers’ move from Candlestick to a new home in Santa Clara.

BY BRENDEN NUNES

Jun 11, 2026, 5:00 AM

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Watch: 49ers breakdown halfway through pre-season | Hard Rock Sports Round Table | 33 mins

In honor of the San Francisco 49ers celebrating their 80th anniversary, Sactown Sports is kicking off a countdown of the 80 greatest moments in the franchise’s illustrious history in reverse order called “Faithful Flashbacks.”

From Super Bowl-winning plays to overperforming teams that had minimal expectations, there’s plenty to choose from the team with five titles under its belt.

The voting was conducted by a handful of the Sactown Sports’ staffers before results were compiled into a full list that will count down to the 49ers’ 2026 NFL regular season debut against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10th.

Faithful Flashbacks -- San Francisco 49ers 80 Best Moments

The 49ers’ move to Levi’s Stadium represented the beginning of a new era in franchise history.

Candlestick Park had been home for over four decades, carrying countless memories of dynasties and historic moments. But by the time the 2013 season ended, the organization was preparing for a different future in Santa Clara.

The 49ers and the City of Santa Clara held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in July 2014, officially opening Levi’s Stadium.

The new home was a major departure from Candlestick and not exactly next door to their old stomping grounds. In fact, it was a good way away from the city, they claim in San Francisco.

Levi’s Stadium was built as a modern, 68,500-seat venue in the heart of Silicon Valley, next to the 49ers’ longtime practice facility and headquarters. It gave the franchise updated facilities and a more modern experience for its fans.

The 49ers played their first game there during the preseason before hosting the Chicago Bears in the stadium’s first regular-season NFL matchup.

The transition did not immediately bring success on the field. San Francisco entered 2014 coming off three consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances, but finished its first season at Levi’s Stadium with an 8-8 record. Then, head coach Jim Harbaugh was moved on from shortly afterward, beginning a rocky stretch for the franchise.

Over time, though, the stadium began collecting its own history.

Levi’s Stadium hosted Super Bowl 50 less than two years after opening. It later became the setting for multiple 49ers playoff runs, including NFC Championship Game victories over Green Bay and Detroit.

It may never carry the same nostalgia as Candlestick, but 2014 marked the beginning of the 49ers’ next chapter in Santa Clara.

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

June 9-10, 2026 – Mandatory Minicamps
Late July 2026 – NFL Training Camps open
Thursday, September 10th – vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia (Season Opener) – 5:35 pm PT
Sunday, September 20th – vs. Miami Dolphins – 1:25 pm PT
Sunday, September 27th – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 pm PT
Sunday, October 4th – vs. Denver Broncos – 1:25 pm PT