For those planning a trip to Germany in 2026, wait until the regular season begins, and you might enjoy the thrill of the NFL. A fresh development from the league hints that international fans could have something significant to look forward to once the season rolls around. While details are still unfolding, early signs point toward another major step in the NFL’s global push.

“The NFL today announced it will 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,” reported NFL’s Tom Pelissero on X. “The games will be played at the FC Bayern Munich Stadium.”

Roger Goodell’s league has recently announced the big news, taking them away from America and towards Europe. It will return to Munich, Germany, in 2026 as well as 2028.  

It all goes back to that electric 2022 showdown between the New Orleans Saints and Seattle Seahawks, where over 69,000 fans packed the stands, proving Europeans want the raw intensity that Gridiron brings. According to Nielsen data, German viewership of gridiron has increased by 20%. So, of course, Goodell went all in and signed a multi-year pact with FC Bayern Munich and the City of Munich. 

2022 was the first time the NFL stretched its regular season boundary to Germany, and soon, the country became the biggest fan of American football. It returned to Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena in 2024 with a clash between the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants. In 2023, the NFL held two regular-season games at Frankfurt, and from now on, the games will be held at the FC Bayern Munich Stadium.

FC Bayern Munich has officially endorsed the collaboration, and Munich Mayor Verena Dietl shared her enthusiasm for welcoming American sports to the city. 

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming games in 2026 and 2028,” Dietl said. “[It] will not only bring top-class sport, but also valuable impetus for grassroots sport in our city,” she said. 

After the success of this year’s game in Berlin, the NFL is set to return to the city with regular-season games in 2027 and 2029. Besides Munich, the NFL has also released the schedule of other international games in 2026, preparing for Melbourne, Rio De Janeiro, and London. 

Roger Goodell eyes Asia

Since taking office, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s mission has primarily been expanding American football beyond America. He has been considerably successful, particularly with growth in Europe. But his ambitions don’t stop there. It’s now official that a game will be held in Australia in 2026, and after that, Goodell aims to bring the sport to Asia.

“I think our next step after Australia would be probably moving into Asia,” Goodell said earlier in September. “That’s a continent we’d like to be playing in. We are serious about being a global sport. We would like to get to 16 games so everyone is playing one game a year internationally.”

The countries catching his attention include Abu Dhabi, where the league has already scouted a potential location. They also plan to explore Saudi Arabia, which is hosting the flag football tournament in 2026, which has got everyone talking for months. Names like Tom Brady, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey and CeeDee Lamb are confirmed to play there. 

Top Stories

Former Rams & Panthers Star Arrested for Burglary in Mississippi

Kansas City Reporter Erupts Against Travis Kelce for Choosing $100 Million Podcast Over Chiefs

Former Dallas Cowboys QB Offers to Unretire for Colts With Strong Comments on Philip Rivers

NFL Makes Decision Against Joe Burrow & Bengals With Week 16 Announcement

Colin Kaepernick’s Wife Questions NFL Logic After Colts Sign 44-Year-Old QB Philip Rivers Over Kap