The stage is set for an NFC West showdown as the Arizona Cardinals travel to face the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL regular season. With both teams looking to make an early statement in the division, football fans have a Sunday afternoon matchup to watch at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The game is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026, with kickoff officially set for 4:05 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). That means fans across the United States can tune in during the late-afternoon Sunday NFL window. The game will be broadcast nationally in the applicable FOX market, with the official NFL schedule listing FOX as the television network.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals: Game Details
Here is everything viewers need to know before kickoff:
Matchup: Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California
TV: FOX
Streaming: FOX One and other live-TV streaming services carrying FOX
Week: Week 3 of the 2026 NFL regular season
The 49ers' official website lists the local kickoff as 1:05 p.m. Pacific Time, while NFL and FOX listings confirm the nationally listed start time of 4:05 p.m. ET.
What Time Is the Game Across the U.S.?
Because the 49ers play on the West Coast, the same kickoff appears at different times depending on the viewer's location.
U.S. kickoff times:
Eastern Time: 4:05 p.m.
Central Time: 3:05 p.m.
Mountain Time: 2:05 p.m.
Pacific Time: 1:05 p.m.
For viewers in the San Francisco Bay Area, the game begins at 1:05 p.m. PDT at Levi’s Stadium.
How to Watch on TV
The 49ers vs. Cardinals matchup will be televised on FOX. The official NFL schedule lists the game in the Sunday afternoon FOX window, while FOX Sports' game-day listing confirms the 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff from Levi’s Stadium.
Fans who receive FOX through their local television provider can watch the game live on their local FOX station. For viewers who prefer streaming, FOX Sports reports that the game can also be streamed through FOX One. Availability can depend on the viewer's location and subscription.
Out-of-market viewers may have different viewing options depending on their location and television package. NFL Sunday Ticket is another option for Sunday afternoon games that are not available through a viewer's local broadcast.
A Key NFC West Matchup
The game carries additional importance because the Cardinals and 49ers are division rivals in the NFC West. Divisional games can have an impact beyond a single Sunday, particularly as teams begin building their records during the opening weeks of the season.
San Francisco enters Week 3 at 2-0, according to the team's official game-day information, while Arizona enters the matchup at 1-1.
The 49ers opened their regular season with an international matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne before returning home for their Week 2 meeting with the Miami Dolphins. San Francisco's official site highlighted quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner among the players preparing for the Cardinals matchup.
Arizona also began the season with a win before dropping its Week 2 game against Seattle. The Cardinals' official website has published its Week 3 broadcast information ahead of the trip to Santa Clara.
What Fans Should Watch For
One of the central storylines will be the matchup between two familiar NFC West opponents. San Francisco will look to continue its early-season form on home turf, while Arizona will try to respond after its Week 2 result.
The 49ers will also be without defensive star Nick Bosa, who FOX Sports reported is dealing with a calf injury and is expected to miss multiple weeks. His absence creates an additional storyline for San Francisco's defense heading into the division matchup.
Meanwhile, Arizona will look to its offense and defense to handle a San Francisco team that has started the season 2-0.
Don't Miss the Kickoff
The Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers game is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET / 1:05 p.m. PT on Sunday, September 27, live from Levi’s Stadium. The official broadcast is FOX, with streaming available through FOX One for eligible viewers.
For NFL fans, this NFC West matchup offers an afternoon of divisional football, with both teams entering Week 3 looking to establish themselves early in the 2026 season.
Set your reminder, check your local FOX listing, and get ready for kickoff.
