NFL Planning Return Trips To Germany In 2026-29: Growing Fanbase, Economy

By Barry Janoff

December 10, 2025: Proclaiming that “DIE NFL KOMMT 2026 ZURÜCK NACH MÜNCHEN!”  (The NFL is Coming Back To Munich in 2026!), the leasgue said it would return to Munich, Germany in 2026 and 2028 to play regular season games, as part of a multi-year partnership with the City of Munich and FC Bayern Munich.

The games will be played in FC Bayern Munich Stadium, which has hosted NFL regular season games in 2022 and 2024. (Full details here.)

The NFL played its first regular-season game in Berlin Nov. 9. Regular season games are already confirmed to be played in Berlin in 2027 and 2029.

According to the league, “Germany is a key market for the NFL globally, with more than 20 million fans of the game, the largest fanbase in Europe.”

“Germany is of huge strategic importance for the NFL in Europe, and our return to Munich signals the league’s long-term commitment to playing games in the market,” NFL DACH GM Alexander Steinforth said via the league.

“As the first host of regular season games in Germany, Munich holds a very special place in the hearts of our fans and we look forward to continuing to create memorable experiences for them while building a year-round NFL presence across this city and country.” 

In Germany, a league-high 11 teams have Global Markets Program rights: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers*, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (* added in 2025).

“Beyond the NFL international games, the league is committed to growing the game at every level in Germany, engaging with fans year-round through partners, programs and initiatives,” according to the NFL.

Launched in 2022, it awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events, commercial opportunities and NFL Flag development.

In addition to the regular season games, the NFL said it would work with the City of Munich across their major sports development program to grow and develop flag football, with a focus on growing NFL Flag participation.

Since NFL Flag, the NFL’s official youth flag football program, was launched in Germany in 2020, the league said the program has reached over 40,000 young athletes across in-school programs and the local youth league ecosystem.

"I am delighted about the extension of our contract with the NFL, which once again demonstrates the importance and strength of Munich as a sports city,” Verena Dietl, Mayor of the City of Munich, sad via the office.

“The previous games have not only won the hearts of fans, they have also strengthened our successful cooperation with the NFL. Together, we are committed to promoting football in Germany and spreading the palpable enthusiasm for the sport far beyond the stadiums. I am looking forward to the upcoming games in 2026 and 2028, which will deliver world-class sporting action and unforgettable excitement for the city and its fans.”

The NFL has played five regular season games in Germany since 2022, beginning with 69,811 in attendance for Seattle Seahawks-Tampa Bay Buccaneers in FC Bayern Munich Stadium. 

That was followed in 2023 by Miami Dolphins-Kansas City Chiefs Frankfurt Stadium (50,023 attendance) and Indianapolis Colts-New England Patriots in Frankfurt Stadium (50,144), in 2024 with the New York Giants-Carolina Panthers in FC Bayern Munich Stadium (70,132) and in 2025 with the Atlanta Falcons-Indianapolis Colts in Olympiastadion Berlin (72,203).

Teams for the upcoming Germany games are TBD.

The league said its inaugural regular-season game in Germany  in  November 2022 had a $77 million economic impact for Munich, with more than $35 million in direct spending in the city.

“Beyond the NFL international games, the league is committed to growing the game at every level in Germany."

Its two games in Frankfurt in 2023 had an overall economic impact of about $119 million for that city.

Berlin has invested $14.3 million as part of its NFL deal, including stadium upgrades, support for NFL-driven flag and tackle football and boosts to the economies, Steinforth told AP Sports.

“If you look at the numbers, you still have a lot of potential to tap into — sports fans that are not NFL fans yet. And even if you look at the NFL fans, it’s less than 50% who have already picked their team. So, most of the people here are fans of the league.”

According to Jürgen Muth, managing director of Allianz Arena GmbH., via the NFL, “Our stadium has established itself on the world map of sports with its modern infrastructure, unique atmosphere, and the enthusiasm of Munich fans.

“Over the years, the NFL at the FC Bayern Munich Stadium has evolved into a significant attraction, drawing crowds from both Germany and around the world. These games are examples of the global enthusiasm for the sport and collaboration between Munich and the NFL."

The NFL has also confirmed the further following regular season international games to be played across the 2026 season ‚ with additional games to be unveiled — including Melbourne, Australia in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, featuring the Los Angeles Rams as designated home team; Rio De Janeiro, Brazil in the Maracanã Stadium; and two games in London, U.K. in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

NFL Plans To Party, Prosper In Germany (20M Fans) With Berlin Game

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