By Tiffany Williams –
The NFL is planting its flag in Munich again, doubling down on Germany like it’s the league’s new favorite side hustle. The league announced it will return to Munich for regular-season games in 2026 and 2028, locking in a multi-year partnership with the City of Munich and FC Bayern Munich. Translation: Germany isn’t just a “market” anymore—it’s a full-blown obsession. And with more than 20 million German fans, the biggest NFL following in Europe, you can see why the league is treating the place like its second home.
The games will hit the FC Bayern Munich Stadium, the same venue that sold out and shook the building in 2022 and 2024. Germany’s appetite hasn’t slowed, and the NFL is feeding the beast. But this isn’t just about ticket sales and broadcast windows. The league wants to build roots—real roots—through flag football, which is headed to the LA28 Olympics. The NFL has already run its NFL Flag program in Germany since 2020, hitting over 40,000 young athletes and creating the kind of grassroots pipeline the league dreams about whenever Roger Goodell stares off into the distance thinking about “global expansion.”
Munich’s leadership is all-in. Verena Dietl, Mayor of the City of Munich, unloaded the kind of glowing praise every NFL exec probably wants printed on a throw pillow: “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. 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 stadium bosses are just as giddy. Jürgen Muth, Managing Director of Allianz Arena GmbH, didn’t hold back: “The FC Bayern Munich Stadium will be hosting the NFL in Germany for the third time – this shows that we can also offer American football a home. 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.”
And the NFL’s own boots-on-the-ground boss, Alexander Steinforth, made the league’s intentions crystal-clear: “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. 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.”
Meanwhile, Berlin has already locked down the 2027 and 2029 games, meaning Germany is getting NFL football in four out of five seasons. At this point, you half-expect the league to ask for honorary citizenship.
But Germany isn’t the only international stop on the league’s 2026 world tour. Melbourne gets a game at the iconic MCG, with the Rams acting as the designated home team. Rio de Janeiro gets a showdown at the Maracanã. London, still the NFL’s European sidepiece, gets two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The league is basically running a global residency tour—and Munich just secured premium dates.
Fans who want in on the Munich madness can register early at the provided link, but good luck. If history is any indicator, these tickets will evaporate faster than the Panthers’ 2024 playoff hopes.
And if anyone doubts the NFL’s German takeover, the receipts are right there in the attendance numbers—69,811 in Munich in 2022, 70,132 in 2024, and Berlin pulling 72,203 in 2025. The German fanbase shows up like it’s watching the Rolling Stones play their final concert every year.
The NFL wants international dominance. Germany handed them the runway. And Munich just became the league’s favorite overseas stadium to crash.
Sports Insider Daily 