For the first time, the country will host a regular season match in the NFL
The Allianz Arena in Bayern Munich will host the first game of the NFL regular season in Germany. The event will remain in 2022.
Deutsche Bank Park, the Eintracht Frankfurt stadium, in turn, has been chosen to host MLS matches in the coming years. The NFL played five pre-season games in Germany between 1990 and 1994.
“We look forward to partnerships with Munich and Frankfurt that go beyond the games and help us achieve accelerated growth in Germany,” said Brett Gosper, NFL President for Europe.
Each stadium will host two matches over the next four years. The Allianz Arena game later this year will be one of five internationals the NFL will play in 2022. There will be another in Mexico and three in the UK.
“The great interest we’ve received demonstrated the incredible opportunity that regular season games provide for the host, from the significant economic benefits and global exposure to the opportunity to become a venue for increased fan engagement, community and NFL activities,” Josper commented.
The announcement of the host cities of Munich and Frankfurt meant the exclusion of Dusseldorf, another candidate for the event. The NFL confirmed in October that the three cities were vying for the right to host league matches in Germany.
We also thank Düsseldorf, which provided a strong and consistent alliance with ambitious plans. We look forward to developing a partnership there, with the potential to host games in the future. “
After this year’s game, Munich and Frankfurt will swap as venues for NFL matches in the country through 2025. To plan the event’s calendar, Major League Soccer has spoken with the German Bundesliga looking for partnerships.
“We are pleased that the NFL has consulted with the Bundesliga in planning their first games of the NFL regular season in Germany. These conversations led both leagues to agree to explore the potential of a mutually beneficial collaborative partnership, which is very exciting for clubs in both leagues,” Donata Hopfen, CEO of the German Football League commented.
