NFL Inks Agreement To Play Games In Munich, Germany In 2026 and 2028
If you thought the NFL was done with pretzels, steins, and spectacular football in Bavaria, think again. The league announced on Wednesday that it’s doubling down on its German adventure, confirming regular-season games in Munich for both 2026 and 2028.
It feels like just yesterday that Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were lighting up the Allianz Arena in 2022. That game wasn’t just a sporting event; it was a cultural collision. The image of thousands of German fans belting out “Country Roads” in perfect unison is something that still gives you goosebumps. It proved that the appetite for American football across the pond isn’t just a curiosity—it’s an obsession.
A Bavarian Touchdown For the NFL
The decision to return to the home of FC Bayern Munich is a no-brainer. The atmosphere inside the Allianz Arena during NFL games has been electric, rivaling the noise levels of Arrowhead or the Superdome.
“Munich holds a very special place in the hearts of our fans,” said Alexander Steinforth, the general manager of NFL Germany. And honestly, he’s right. There is something surreal and wonderful about seeing linebackers crunching tackles in a city famous for its centuries-old beer halls and Glockenspiel.
This extension is part of a broader strategy to plant the NFL flag firmly in European soil. We’ve already seen games in Frankfurt and Berlin, but Munich seems to have captured the league’s imagination. With over 20 million NFL fans reportedly in Germany, the league isn’t just visiting; they are moving in.
Expanding the Global Gridiron
The NFL’s passport is getting a serious workout. By 2026, we aren’t just looking at games in Munich. The league is spreading its wings to Melbourne, Australia (get ready for kickoff times that will wreck your sleep schedule), Rio de Janeiro, and, of course, the staple games in London.
But Germany feels different. It’s the heart of the European fanbase. The dedication of the local fans, who often show up wearing jerseys of teams that aren’t even playing, is infectious. It’s a reminder that football is a universal language, even if the rules about what constitutes a “catch” remain a mystery in every language.
What This Means For Fans
For the fans in Munich, this is massive. Mayor Verena Dietl mentioned how these games bring “valuable impetus for grassroots sport,” and she’s not wrong. The NFL’s flag football program has already reached 40,000 young athletes in Germany. That’s the next generation of potential stars who might one day make the leap from the German Football League to the NFL.
For us stateside, it means more breakfast football. And let’s be honest, is there a better way to start a Sunday than with coffee, eggs, and a live kickoff from Europe?
So, get ready for 2026. The NFL is going back to Munich, and if history is any indication, it’s going to be a party. Just make sure you practice the lyrics to “Country Roads.”
