Hotels for Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers

Fans travel from both American fan bases and from across the country to watch a genuine league fixture rather than an exhibition game, and the late kick-off time adds a floodlit, occasion feel to proceedings. Expect plenty of jerseys from both sides mixing in the crowd, tailgate-style build-up outside, and a stadium atmosphere shaped as much by curiosity as by loyalty. Because the two teams rarely meet, this particular pairing gives the game an edge that a repeat divisional clash would not have.

Formerly the Estadio Azteca, the renamed Estadio Banorte is one of the most storied football stadiums in the world, the only venue to have hosted two World Cup finals, now also staging NFL games and major concerts in Mexico City's Coyoacán borough. The surrounding southern suburbs are neighbourhood-rich, with the Coyoacán markets and Frida Kahlo Museum close by.

Metro lines 2 and 3 connect nearby Tasqueña, and frequent peseros run to the gate. Booking a room in Roma Norte or Polanco keeps the city's best dining close, with a Metro ride to the match.