University of Michigan reportedly set to open 2026 season in Germany against Western Michigan 

By John Mahnen

The University of Michigan football team is set to break new ground — literally and figuratively — as the program is in advanced talks to open the 2026 college football season in Germany. According to a university press release, Michigan is working toward hosting in-state rival Western Michigan at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on Saturday, August 29, 2026. 

If finalized, this would mark the Wolverines’ first game played outside of North America, adding another chapter to Michigan’s history of blending football with global travel and cultural exposure. The venue, Deutsche Bank Park — known locally as Waldstadion — is home to Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt and recently hosted two NFL games in 2023. With a seating capacity of 55,000 and a modern retractable roof, the stadium is well-suited to host an international clash between two Michigan-based college programs. 

“We are in advanced discussions to create this first-of-its-kind opportunity for our student-athletes and fans,” said Warde Manuel, Michigan’s athletic director. “The University of Michigan is one of the few worldwide brands in college athletics. The interest in playing an international game would be unique. This would be a great opportunity to teach ‘Go Blue’ to a new group of fans in Germany.” 

Michigan’s head coach Sherrone Moore echoed the enthusiasm, citing the program’s commitment to global learning experiences.

“I am excited about the football and educational experience this game could provide for our players,” said Moore. “We are always looking for unique opportunities to expose our student-athletes to other cultures.” 

This wouldn’t be the first time Michigan Football has taken its team across the Atlantic. In 2017, under then-head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines embarked on a memorable spring trip to Rome, Italy. That journey included practices, cultural sightseeing, and a visit to the Vatican where Harbaugh’s son was baptized and his daughter received her first communion during a public mass. The trip was emblematic of Harbaugh’s innovative approach to team development and global exposure. Since then, the program has added trips to France and South Africa to its résumé. 

A game in Germany would build on that tradition, while also tapping into the growing international appetite for American football. Germany has quickly become a hotbed for the sport in Europe, with regular season NFL games drawing sellout crowds and wide media coverage. Frankfurt, in particular, has emerged as a key hub, and Michigan’s arrival would further strengthen the city’s profile as a center of American football on the continent. 

The planned 2026 opener against Western Michigan was initially scheduled to take place at Michigan Stadium — the iconic “Big House” in Ann Arbor — on September 5. Moving the game to Germany not only shifts the date a week earlier but also marks the first time the Wolverines would play a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent away from home in a non-neutral, international setting. 

The decision to play the game abroad represents a growing trend in American collegiate sports: programs seeking to globalize their brand and offer players life experiences that transcend the playing field. Michigan’s stature as one of the most recognized names in college football makes it a logical candidate to spearhead such efforts. 

From a logistical standpoint, staging a college game in Europe poses challenges — travel coordination, broadcast rights, NCAA compliance, and academic schedules among them. However, if the game comes to fruition, it would not only be a milestone for Michigan and Western Michigan, but a symbolic leap for college football’s global ambitions. 

No formal agreement has yet been finalized, and further announcements regarding the date and location are expected in the coming months. But if the plan moves forward, fans in Germany will have a rare opportunity to experience one of college football’s blue-blood programs up close — and to hear the iconic “Hail to the Victors” echo through a European stadium. 

For Michigan, it’s another step in pushing the boundaries of what a college football program can be — athletic powerhouse, educational ambassador, and now, global pioneer.