Flying Private to the NFL Mexico City Game: 49ers vs. Vikings
Pegasus Flight Support · Updated September 19, 2026 · 4 min read
NFL Mexico City Game: 49ers vs. Vikings · Nov 22, 2026 · Mexico City
Key Points
- The San Francisco 49ers play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 22, 2026 at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City.
- Kickoff is 7:15 pm local time, so the game ends late in the evening. Plan departures for late Sunday night or Monday morning.
- It is the Sunday before Thanksgiving, when aircraft and crews are already in high demand.
- Charter operators need a valid AFAC Blanket Permit with the aircraft listed on it. There is not enough time to obtain one before the game.
- Every passenger needs a valid passport, including for a one-night trip.
The game
The NFL returns to Mexico City for the first time since 2022. The San Francisco 49ers host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 22, 2026 at Estadio Banorte, the stadium long known as Estadio Azteca. It is that week's Sunday Night Football game, with kickoff at 7:15 pm local time. The league has committed to a regular season game in Mexico City in 2026, 2027, and 2028, so this becomes an annual trip for many fans.
A night game changes the plan
A 7:15 pm kickoff means the game ends late in the evening, and the stadium is in the south of one of the largest cities in the world. Passengers will not be back at the airport quickly. Most trips will depart either very late Sunday night or on Monday morning, which concentrates departures into a narrow window on November 23.
Decide early which it will be. A late-night departure depends on the airport's operating hours and on crew duty limits after a long day. A Monday morning departure needs hotel rooms for crew and passengers on a night when the city is full. Either way, request your departure time well ahead and have a backup.
Time zone
Mexico City is on UTC-6 year-round and does not observe daylight saving time. By game day the United States will have returned to standard time, so Mexico City matches US Central time. Kickoff is 7:15 pm in Minneapolis and 5:15 pm in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Thanksgiving week
The game falls four days before Thanksgiving, the start of the busiest period of the year for business aviation. Aircraft that fly to Mexico City on the weekend are often committed to holiday trips from Tuesday onward. Build in margin: a delayed Monday departure can cascade into the rest of the week. If the aircraft cannot stay, plan a drop-off and return instead of parking.
Where to land
Most business aviation into Mexico City uses Toluca (MMTO), which has the largest concentration of FBOs in Mexico. Mexico City International (MMMX) requires slot coordination for all operations. Both are above 7,000 ft, so departure performance needs to be planned. We compare the two airports in detail in a separate guide.
First trip to Mexico? Start here
Many of these flights will be flown by operators who do not normally go to Mexico. For charter, a Part 135 operator needs a valid AFAC Blanket Permit with the specific aircraft listed. AFAC no longer issues single-entry charter permits, and a new permit can take up to 90 business days, so an operator without one cannot legally fly this trip as a charter.
Private flights enter on a Single Entry Authorization issued at the first airport of entry, and need a Mexican liability insurance policy in addition to their worldwide policy. In every case, each passenger needs a valid passport.
What to arrange now
How Pegasus helps
Pegasus Flight Support coordinates ground handling, fuel, customs and immigration, parking, and crew and passenger transportation at Toluca and Mexico City. Send us your aircraft, passenger count, and preferred departure time, and we will confirm what is achievable for game weekend.
FAQ
When is the NFL game in Mexico City in 2026?
The San Francisco 49ers play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 22, 2026 at Estadio Banorte in Mexico City. Kickoff is 7:15 pm local time, which is the same as US Central time.
Which airport do private jets use for the NFL Mexico City Game?
Most private jets use Toluca (MMTO), the primary business aviation airport for Mexico City. Mexico City International (MMMX) is also available but requires slot coordination for all operations.
Can a US charter operator fly passengers to the game without a Mexico permit?
No. Part 135 charter operators need a valid AFAC Blanket Permit with the specific aircraft listed on it. AFAC no longer issues single-entry charter permits, and a new Blanket Permit can take up to 90 business days.
Last reviewed September 2026. Mexican aviation regulations change frequently. Confirm current requirements with Pegasus before every trip.