A Brief Guide to the San Francisco 49ers

There are plenty of destinations where the population is crazy about its sport – whether it be football, hockey or tennis – but in San Francisco it is American football and specifically the 49ers. To really get underneath the skin of the City on the Bay, book a trip with Air Express and get tickets to one of their games.

An overview

One of the reasons that the 49ers are so important to the people of San Francisco is that they were the first major professional sports team to come out of the city. This meant they got a strong early following and the tradition has continued. Since then the 49ers have gone on to win five Super Bowls and were the first to do so.

They got their name from the gold prospectors who flocked to the region during the California Gold Rush in 1849 and were affectionately known as the 49ers. Since 1960 they have played at Candlestick Park, but their new venue Levi’s Stadium is due to open to the public next year.

Humble beginnings

Things have not always gone to plan for the 49ers, as their founder Tony Morabito was turned away from the National Football League (NFL) twice in the 1940s as he tried to get the team registered. Instead he had to settle for joining rival league – the All-American Football Conference (AAFC), change to dash which began after World War Two.

The original lineup consisted of 32 players including characters such as Johnny “Johnny Strike” Strzykalski and Joe “The Toe” Ventrano, who played their first game on August 24th 1946. By 1949 the AAFC was over, but it had given the 49ers the chance to prove themselves and gain a spot in the NFL.

Super Bowl victories

Most people who visit the US realise that the Super Bowl is a huge annual event for the population, whether they are sports fans or not and winning it is a big deal. For the 49ers the 1980s was their Super Bowl heyday with the team winning the championship game four times in the decade and then again in 1994.

This period is a time that fans of the 49ers look back at with nostalgia and pride, but one that has never been repeated since. The team sometimes looks like a contender to claim their sixth Super Bowl title, but it has not come off. It would be amazing to be in San Francisco if they ever manage it again, as the city would throw incredible celebrations.

Attending a game

Deciding to attend a 49ers game as part of your trip to San Francisco is relatively simple and tickets can be purchased over the internet in advance or at the team’s stadium. If you know little about the sport it doesn’t matter too much who they are playing, as the experience will be great whatever.

The 49ers team colours are scarlet, gold and white, so it is a good idea to dress in red to avoid offending any of the supporters. Look out for Sourdough Sam, the gold panner in a ten-gallon hat who wears jersey number 49 and acts as the club’s official mascot.

Fans of the 49ers tend to turn up to the stadium four or five hours prior to the start of the game. This is so they can take part in something called tailgating, which sees a party atmosphere developing in the car park as everyone opens up their vehicles and eats and chats together. This is part of the genuine 49ers experience.