49ers–Cardinals rivalry
49ers and Cardinals face off during the 2009 season. | |
| Location | San Francisco, Phoenix |
|---|---|
| First meeting | November 18, 1951 Cardinals 27, 49ers 21 |
| Latest meeting | November 16, 2025 49ers 41, Cardinals 22 |
| Next meeting | 2026 |
| Stadiums | 49ers: Levi's Stadium Cardinals: State Farm Stadium |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 69 |
| All-time series | 49ers: 38–31 |
| Largest victory | 49ers: 50–14 (2003) Cardinals: 47–7 (2015) |
| Most points scored | 49ers: 50 (2003) Cardinals: 47 (2015), (2024) |
| Longest win streak | 49ers: 5 (1980–1987, 1993–2002, 2009–2011) Cardinals: 8 (2015–2018) |
| Current win streak | 49ers: 2 (2025–present) |
The 49ers–Cardinals rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals.
After the AAFC-NFL merger, the 49ers and Cardinals faced off for the first time in the 1951 season, when the Cardinals were based in Chicago. Both teams engaged in sporadic matchups leading up to the 2000 season. During that period, the Cardinals relocated to St. Louis and subsequently, in the 1988 season, they relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, establishing themselves as a Western team. Following the NFL realignment in 2002, the Cardinals joined the NFC West, thus becoming divisional rivals with the 49ers. The rivalry is a closely contested series, particularly after the realignment. The Cardinals are the only team in the NFC the 49ers have not met in the playoffs.
The 49ers lead the overall series, 38–31. The two teams have not met in the playoffs.