The NFL has announced that the Detroit Lions will play a regular season game in Munich, Germany during the 2026 season as part of the league’s International Series. The game will be held at FC Bayern Munich Stadium, widely known as Allianz Arena. The date, kickoff time and opponent will be revealed when the full NFL schedule is released.
Team President and CEO Rod Wood said the organization is excited to continue building its presence in Germany, calling it a key international market for the franchise.
A Growing German Connection
Since 2024, the Lions have held marketing rights in the DACH region, which includes Germany, Austria and Switzerland, through the NFL’s Global Markets Program. The team has leaned into that expansion with youth football camps, watch parties and brand collaborations.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose mother is from Cologne, has been front and center in that push. St. Brown has previously said playing an NFL game in Germany has been a personal goal since entering the league. He’s participated in football camps across the country and has become a natural ambassador for the Lions’ growing German fan base.
The team also partnered with Bundesliga club 1. FC Köln in 2025, aiming to strengthen cross-sport engagement between Detroit and Germany. In addition, the Lions introduced a German-inspired mascot, Leo Löwe, and hosted back-to-back Thanksgiving watch parties in Cologne.
Return To International Play
This will mark the Lions’ first international appearance in more than a decade. Their last overseas game came in 2015 at Wembley Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs. The year prior, Detroit defeated the Atlanta Falcons in London as the designated home team.
The 2026 matchup in Munich represents a major step in the NFL’s continued global expansion, but it also signals how far Detroit’s brand has traveled. For a franchise that has battled through decades of ups and downs, international exposure reflects both competitive relevance and market value.
Ticketing and travel packages will be announced in the coming months. The Lions are encouraging fans to monitor team channels for updates as details become available.
- NMD Staff
Staff@NewMediaDetroit.com