The Detroit Lions have confirmed they will play a regular-season NFL game in Germany during the 2026 season, marking a significant step in the league’s strategy to broaden its international reach. The game will take place at the FC Bayern Munich Stadium, the home ground of the famous football club, and will count as one of Detroit’s 17 home games. Details including the opponent, date, and kickoff time are expected when the NFL releases its full schedule later this year.
First International Appearance for the Lions Since 2015
This event will be the Lions’ first international game in over a decade, with their last overseas outing occurring in London in 2015, following consecutive trips to the UK in 2014 and 2015. Detroit Lions president Rod Wood highlighted the team’s strong focus on the German market and expressed excitement about engaging with fans in Munich. The club has already introduced a dedicated information portal for supporters anticipating the upcoming announcements.
Expanding NFL’s Global Reach Through International Games
The upcoming Germany fixture is part of the NFL’s nine-game international series scheduled for 2026. Germany has been an increasingly prominent location for NFL games, hosting five contests in recent seasons. Under the league’s current regulations, teams are required to relinquish a home game to participate in an international matchup at least once every eight years, though each team can safeguard three games from international relocation. Scheduling is carefully managed to minimize the impact of travel on teams.
Alongside Germany, the NFL is organizing international games in countries including Australia, Brazil, England, France, Mexico, and Spain. League officials have discussed plans to further expand the international calendar to feature as many as 16 games each season, reflecting a growing commitment to globalizing American football.
Just announced: The #Lions will play in Munich, Germany in 2026: pic.twitter.com/bRhzdnKSuD
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 24, 2026
