Detroit Lions fans will have the opportunity to see their team play a regular season game in Munich, Germany, in 2026, the NFL announced Tuesday. The game, to be played at the FC Bayern Munich Stadium, marks the Lions’ first international contest in over a decade and is part of a record nine international games scheduled for 2026 across four continents.
The Lions last played internationally as the away team against the Kansas City Chiefs at London’s Wembley Stadium on November 1, 2015. Prior to that, they hosted the Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium on October 26, 2014, securing a victory. The opponent, game date, and kickoff time for the 2026 Munich game will be revealed when the full NFL schedule is released this spring.
“We are thrilled to be playing internationally and specifically in Munich for the 2026 season,” said Detroit Lions President & CEO Rod Wood in a statement. “As an organization, we have invested greatly in the German market and are excited to play in front of our passionate German fans.”
The Lions’ commitment to the German market extends beyond a single game. Since 2024, through the NFL’s Global Markets Program, the team has held marketing rights in the DACH region – Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This initiative has included the creation of Leo Löwe, a mascot featuring a mane inspired by the German flag, and hosting Thanksgiving Day Classic watch parties in Cologne. In 2025, the team collaborated with German streetwear designer MiDNIGHT, launching a limited-edition clothing line.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose mother, Miriam, is from Cologne, expressed his enthusiasm for the game. “It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” St. Brown said. “wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.” The team has as well conducted youth football education camps across Germany, often featuring St. Brown.
The NFL’s Global Markets Program, launched in 2022, grants teams international marketing rights for at least five years, allowing them to pursue fan engagement, events, and commercial opportunities in designated markets. The Lions also forged a strategic partnership with 1. FC Köln of the Bundesliga in 2025, aiming to expand the reach of both organizations and foster fan engagement in both the United States and Germany.
Fans interested in attending the game can place a fully refundable deposit through On Location, the NFL’s official hospitality provider and international fan travel partner, at https://OnLocationExp.com/LionsGermany. Packages may include premium seating, travel arrangements, and exclusive experiences. Further details regarding ticketing and travel packages will be available on the Detroit Lions website at https://www.detroitlions.com/international/munich.
