49ers Training Camp is back, and most fans are excited, but season ticket holders and training camp enthusiasts know this is the most heartbreaking part of the season besides losing in the Super Bowl.
Same 49ers Drama, Different Day
Ever since the move to Santa Clara, the 49ers have made it a habit of squeezing every penny they can out of genuine fans and season ticket holders.
The 49ers’ training camp schedule was recently released, but that’s not the worry.
The dilemma lies with the warning that the 49ers gave fans about tickets and attending camp:
“IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to changes to the practice fields’ configuration, the overall footprint for fans to attend training camp has decreased significantly compared to recent years, but remains consistent with the 2025 layout. These changes were implemented to improve the coaches’ and players’ training efforts. As a result, access to the training camp will be limited to your choice of one (1) date and up to four (4) tickets. All dates are subject to availability.”
Again, the 49ers are going to limit fans and season-ticket holders, and I can tell you they won’t be happy.
Limited Access for All Fans & Season Ticket Holders
Being a season-ticket holder myself, I was miffed by the new method the 49ers rolled out last season, and I was only able to get a couple of games. Getting other tickets was like pulling teeth when working with the 49ers, and I was able to get another day, and that was it. The only place to turn after that was the second-hand ticket markets, and only TickPick was selling tickets for training camp. Most 3rd party sites weren’t allowing the sale of training camp tickets. Cost to get in used to be free; now it’s $20 for non-season-ticket holders, and if you’re dumb enough to have season tickets like me, it’s only $10 per person.
If you get locked out, like a lot of season ticket holders and regular fans, you’d have to turn to 3rd-party sites, and their prices can range from $50 per ticket to $200. Parking lots open at 8 am, ticket-holder gates open at 9 am, and training camp starts around 10:15 am. Practice will usually last until 12-12:30 pm, so look to get autographs and photos around then.
You can find more information at 49ers.com/trainingcamp if you have questions about what’s allowed inside and what kind of clear-bag entry is required.
2026 Training Camp Dates
The first training camp 49ers fans can attend takes place on July 26th, and the remming sessions are on dates July 27th, 31st, August 1st, 3rd, 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th. There are certain themes for some training camp dates in Santa Clara, such as August 1st, which is celebrated league-wide as ‘Back Together Weekend’. Season ticket holder day is on August 3rd and is a day for season ticket holders to be represented as special guests.
Dwight Clark Day, which is almost always on August 7th, is actually on August 6th this year, as the team won’t be at camp for fans on the 7th, as it’s a 49ers off day in 2026. The 49ers’ joint practice this season takes place on August 1st against the Tennessee Titans, and it should be a great practice for fans.
Attending the joint practice of the 49ers and Broncos was very rewarding last season.
Petty 49ers & Petty Rules
The 49ers have been very draconian in their treatment of fans and season-ticket holders during training camp over the last 5 years, as their rules have become flippant and nonsensical. You used to be allowed full-size helmets, footballs, and mostly anything the 49ers would sign, and now they make you deflate any balls you bring into camp, no full-size helmets, and they even limited certain signage.
Funny thing is that the team would sell the same footballs and helmets at pop-up kiosks and the team store, and guess what, they weren’t deflated balls.
The way they fill the stands now is horrible, and they don’t let you pick your own seat; they’ll tell you where you’re going to sit, and if you don’t like it, you can get back in line with the fans funneling in. Apparently, the 49ers can’t count on season-ticket holders and fans to act like adults. A bit of advice: just be respectful and obey the 49ers workers, and there’ll be no problems.
Oh, also, don’t get caught filming the team or taking photos when they tell you not to; they will kick you out and escort you off the premises.
Autographs & Pictures
Credit: Brian Nitenson-BASportsNationWhat anyone seems to really care about these days while attending training camp is getting autographs. Whether it be your special favorite player or if you’re just looking for anyone to sign your items, you’re in luck. Since the 49ers have been more stringent about their merchandise and autograph policies, players have made an effort to stay longer and make sure more fans have their items autographed and get their pictures taken. Since the construction around the training facility, there’s also been terrible fan seating.
The season ticket holder/VIP seating area would be across the field from the regular seating, but since there’s a transition underway, those areas are no longer available to fans and season ticket holders. That area is now strictly for players’ family and friends invited to training camp. Best bet is to wait till the end of camp when the double horn sounds at about 12-12:30 PM, and then try your luck. I will say if you’re patient, 49ers players will make time to sign your items and take pictures.
Remember, always let the short ones in front, since these experiences sometimes shape their perspective on the team and its players for the rest of their little lives. Stout was kind enough to oblige a picture with me last camp & sign my mini helmet and hat.
So, come out if you can get tickets, and stick around because you never know who you might run into, who knows, maybe you’ll see Brandon Aiyuk in practice.
