Munich To Host NFL Game Next Season As Part Of Four-Year Series In Germany

Topline

The NFL announced Wednesday it plans to hold a regular season game in Munich next season as part of a four-year series of annual games in Germany, in the latest push to boost the league’s international reach.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the media during a news conference prior to Super Bowl LIV … [+] at the Hilton Miami Downtown on January 29, 2020 in Miami. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

The game will be played at the home of soccer juggernaut FC Bayern Munich, the NFL said in a statement, in what will be the first regular-season NFL game in mainland Europe.

Munich will host a game during the 2022 and 2023 season, while Frankfurt will take over hosting duties for the 2024 and 2025 season, according to the NFL.

It’s not clear when the game will be played and which teams will participate, but the league has reportedly considered scheduling next year’s Munich game to coincide with Oktoberfest.

Crucial Quote

“Many Munich residents are big football fans and they will be thrilled that this spectacular sporting event is coming to their city,” Munich Mayor Dieter Reiter said in a statement.

Key Background

The NFL plans to host five regular season games outside the U.S. during the 2022 regular season, with three held in London and one in Mexico, in addition to the Munich game. The NFL has for years worked to expand its brand internationally, and has staged at least one regular-season game outside the U.S. every year since 2007, except for the Covid-disrupted 2020 season, having previously put on games in Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. According to the NFL, Germany is one of the league’s top markets outside the U.S., where it claims there are 19 million fans and television viewership has grown by more than 20% every year since 2017.

What To Watch For

The NFL released its schedule for the past two seasons in early May.

Tangent

Super Bowl LVI between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams will be played on Sunday. PredictHQ projects it could be the most-watched television broadcast in American history, with around 117 million viewers.