The NFL chooses Munich, Germany for 2022 International Series, Frankfurt to host in the future
On October 12, the NFL announced its latest effort to grow the game globally. After years of rumors and the success of the London’s international series the NFL announced plans to host a regular-season game in Germany in the near future.
Now, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced in a press release that Munich, Germany and Allianz Arena will host an International Series matchup this November. The city of Munich will host two games over the next four years, while Frankfurt will also host two games.
“We are very pleased to welcome Munich and Frankfurt to the NFL family and are excited to reward our fans in Germany for their passion by bringing them the spectacle of regular season football”
The history of NFL Europe’s popularity in Germany combined with surging viewership numbers make the country a premiere location for the NFL to invest:
“The International Series has become a highlight of the sporting calendar in the UK, with many fans travelling from Germany to attend,” said Brett Gosper, NFL Head of UK and Europe.
Allianz Arena Photo: Wikimedia
“We are very excited about the development of our German fan base, and the time is right to identify a partner who can execute a game at NFL standards as part of our international growth strategy.”
Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena is the second-largest stadium in Germany with a capacity of 75,000. This rivals some of the NFL’s biggest venues. The modern design of the stadium and the success of the country’s premiere soccer team would give the NFL one of the best sports atmospheres Germany can provide.
Besides a top tier sports stadium Munich’s large population and of 1.5 million, the city features a strong core of sports crazy bavarians cheering on Bayern Munich’s soccer club. The large airport, excellent food, and various tourist attractions throughout the region make Munich the perfect host for the NFL’s German comeback.
Frankfurt is one of Germany’s most international cities. The southwestern city is seen as one of the financial capitals of Europe as its home to the European Central Bank, the Frankfurt stock exchange, and Deutsche Bank. The city of over 700 thousand inhabitants serves as the primary hub for Luftansa making Frankfurt one of Europe’s busiest airports.
Fans across Europe are sure to be flocking to Germany as the NFL’s fan base grows across the continent. International fans can expect Munich and Frankfurt to be excellent hosts for the NFL’s next step in its international outreach.
