The Detroit Lions have been selected to play in the 2026 NFL Munich game, continuing the league’s ambitious global expansion by bringing regular-season football to one of Europe’s most passionate markets. The game will be hosted at FC Bayern Munich Stadium—also known as Allianz Arena—joining two previous successful international contests held at the iconic venue.
A strategic commitment to Germany
The Lions have held international marketing rights in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland since 2022, making this game a natural extension of their outreach efforts. NFL Germany General Manager Alexander Steinforth emphasized the importance of the German market, calling it “a key area in the NFL’s international growth ambitions,” while Lions President & CEO Rod Wood expressed excitement about connecting with the team’s growing overseas fanbase. The venue has already hosted two memorable NFL International Series games: in 2022, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers edged the Seattle Seahawks 21–16, and in 2024, when the New York Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers 20–17 in overtime.
A personal homecoming for St. Brown
The game holds special significance for Lions Pro Bowl wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose mother is German. “It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country,” he shared. St. Brown has already built strong ties to the region through youth football camps and fan events, making this matchup an emotional and highly anticipated moment for players and supporters alike.
Big picture: NFL goes global
The Munich game is one piece of a larger ongoing international strategy that will see regular-season games played in Madrid, Melbourne, Paris, and Mexico City in 2026. The NFL has also committed to future games in Munich (2028) and Berlin (2027 and 2029), underscoring a long-term vision to grow the sport abroad. Beyond game day, the league is investing in grassroots efforts like NFL Flag Germany, which now involves over 110,000 young athletes.
What’s next
The Lions’ opponent and game date will be announced when the full 2026 NFL schedule is released this spring. Ticket availability and event details will follow, with fans encouraged to register for updates via nfl.com/Munich. For now, excitement is building on both sides of the Atlantic as Munich prepares to host one of the NFL’s most internationally engaged franchises.
