The Detroit Lions will play a regular season National Football League game in Munich, Germany, in 2026, marking the first international game in the franchise’s history. The team will serve as the home team for the contest, to be held at FC Bayern Munich Stadium, officials confirmed Tuesday.
The announcement represents a significant step in the NFL’s ongoing efforts to expand its international presence. While the league has hosted games in London for several years, the Munich game underscores a growing focus on the European market, particularly Germany. The Detroit Free Press reported the game will be a regular season contest, not a pre-season exhibition.
This will be the Lions’ first game played outside of the United States. The NFL has not yet announced which opponent the Lions will face in Munich, nor the specific date of the game. While, the league confirmed the game will be part of the 2026 regular season schedule, according to NFL.com.
The decision to award the game to Detroit comes as the NFL continues to assess the viability of international markets. The league has seen increasing fan engagement in Germany, prompting the expansion beyond London. The Detroit Lions organization has not released details regarding travel arrangements or logistical planning for the game.
