Tag: Germany

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates a first down against Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025.

Lions selected to play in Munich in 2026

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Detroit Lions will play a regular season game in 2026 in Munich, Germany, the NFL announced on Tuesday.

The Lions’ opponent and date will be announced when the full schedule is revealed in the spring.

The Munich game is one of a record nine international contests taking place across four continents next season.

Allianz Arena, the 70,000-seat home of Bundesliga powerhouse FC Bayern Munich, is the site of the game. The stadium will also host a game in 2028, with the NFL playing games in Berlin in 2027 and 2029.

“Germany continues to be a key market in the NFL’s international growth ambitions, with Europe’s largest fanbase,” said NFL Germany general manager Alexander Steinforth. “We are excited to welcome the Detroit Lions to play in the 2026 NFL Munich game — and in partnership with the Lions, FC Bayern Munich and the City of Munich, we look forward to bringing an incredible NFL experience to fans across the region in the NFL 2026 season.”

The Lions have marketing rights in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as part of the league’s global markets program.

“We are thrilled to be playing internationally and specifically in Munich for the 2026 season,” said Lions president and CEO Rod Wood. “As an organization, we have invested greatly in the German market and are excited to play in front of our passionate German fans.”

Playing in Germany holds special significance for Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown.

“It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” the two-time All-Pro receiver said. “I cannot 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 Lions’ two previous international games were played in London in 2014 and 2015.

–Field Level Media

NFL games returning to Munich in 2026, ’28

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL is returning to Munich with regular-season games scheduled for 2026 and 2028.

The league now has a multiyear partnership with the German city and FC Bayern Munich and the upcoming games are to be set in the soccer team’s stadium, which also hosted the NFL in 2022 and 2024.

Under the agreement, the NFL will help the city to grow and develop flag football in Germany.

The NFL labeled Germany “a key market for the NFL globally, with more than 20 million fans of the game, the largest fanbase in Europe.”

“Germany is of huge strategic importance for the NFL in Europe, and our return to Munich signals the league’s long-term commitment to playing games in the market,” said Alexander Steinforth, general manager of NFL DACH, which serves Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “As the first host of regular season games in Germany, Munich holds a very special place in the hearts of our fans and we look forward to continuing to create memorable experiences for them while building a year-round NFL presence across this city and country.”

The league already has scheduled regular-season games for Germany’s capital, Berlin, in 2027 and 2029.

The NFL is building its roster of international games for the upcoming seasons, and already has announced two games in London, one in Rio de Janeiro and one in Melbourne, Australia, for 2026. The Los Angeles Rams have been named the home team for the Australia game.

Germany has hosted five NFL games previously, dating back to the 2022 season.

–Field Level Media

Jonathan Taylor, Colts run past Falcons in Germany

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Jonathan Taylor rushed for 244 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning 8-yard score at 3:31 of overtime, as the Indianapolis Colts recorded a 31-25 win over the Atlanta Falcons 31-25 in Berlin, Germany.

After forcing a punt on the opening possession of overtime, the Colts (8-2) needed just seven plays to seal the win.

Daniel Jones threw for 255 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Indianapolis, which has won five of its last six games.

Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. threw for 177 yards and a touchdown.

Bijan Robinson rushed for 84 yards and Tyler Allgeier added 57 more and two touchdowns for the Falcons (3-6), who have dropped four in a row.

After leading by a point at halftime, Atlanta pushed its advantage to 17-13 on Zane Gonzalez’s 43-yard field goal with 12:26 left in the third quarter.

James Pearce Jr. stripped Jones on the Colts’ next drive, with fellow rookie Jalon Walker recovering the ball at Atlanta’s 44-yard line. After a Falcons punt, the defense forced the Colts’ second turnover-on-downs, this time stopping Indianapolis at the Atlanta 5-yard line.

Another Atlanta punt was followed with Michael Badgley’s 34-yard field goal to trim Indianapolis’ deficit to 17-16 with nine minutes remaining in the fourth.

The Falcons’ third straight punt was answered with Taylor’s 83-yard rushing score — the longest in the NFL this season — to give the Colts a 22-17 lead with 6:02 left. Atlanta denied the ensuing two-point conversion to keep its deficit at five.

Penix then led Atlanta on a nine-play, 71-yard scoring drive, capped with Allgeier’s 1-yard rushing score. Drake London added a two-point conversion reception with 1:44 remaining.

Badgley’s 44-yard field goal with 25 seconds remaining knotted the score at 25.

After forcing a Colts’ turnover-on-downs to begin the game, Atlanta gave the ball back as Camryn Bynum forced Penix’s fumble, before Germaine Pratt returned it to the Falcons’ 23.

Ashton Dulin then ran 22 yards to the 1-yard line, where Taylor’s touchdown rush gave the Colts a 6-0 lead. Badgley missed the extra point attempt with 8:36 left in the first quarter.

Atlanta answered with its first scoring drive, finished off with Allgeier’s 1-yard rushing score to give the Falcons a 7-6 lead.

Jones hit Alec Pierce for a 37-yard touchdown to give Indianapolis a 13-7 edge at the 5:19 mark of the opening quarter.

Badgley missed a 53-yard field goal on the Colts’ next possession.

Atlanta regained the lead on Penix’s 16-yard touchdown pass to London with 3:25 remaining in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; A general overall view of a tifo of the United States and Germany flags during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Berlin to host its first NFL game in 2025

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The NFL will play its first-ever regular season game in Berlin in 2025, when the league debuts in the German capital.

The game will take place at the historic 75,000-seat Olympic Stadium as part of a “multiyear commitment.”

The NFL has held games in Munich and Frankfurt since 2022.

“Germany has a rich tradition of American football, and the NFL has a deep history with the city of Berlin,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. “We first held a preseason game at the Olympic Stadium 34 years ago, before it was home to NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder in the early 2000s. Now, with almost 20 million NFL fans in Germany, we’ll make a historic return to the city playing a regular season game for the first time as we open the next chapter in our relationship with Berlin.”

Olympic Stadium opened in 1936 and hosted the Summer Games that year, with American track star Jesse Owens winning four gold medals.

The venue has also hosted two FIFA World Cups (1974, 2006) and a FIFA Women’s World Cup (2011) and is the current home of the soccer club Hertha BSC.

The NFL played five American Bowl games there from 1990-94 and it was home to NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder from 2003-07.

“This long-term partnership with the NFL will continue to boost Berlin as a global sports metropolis, as well as excite fans at the Olympic Stadium,” said Iris Spranger, Berlin’s senator for the interior and sports. “The 2025 NFL Berlin game means worldwide visibility, numerous international guests, increased tourism and high economic value across the city. We’re looking forward to an incredible game and an ongoing successful partnership with the league, as we continue to strengthen the presence of American football throughout the state.”

The date and opponents for the game will be announced later.

As previously announced, the NFL will also hold two regular season games at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in 2025. The league can schedule up to eight international games, with other locations to be confirmed in the weeks ahead.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; Carolina Panthers place kicker Eddy Pineiro (4) celebrates after kicking a 53-yard field goal against the New York Giants in the first half during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Eddy Pineiro kicks Panthers past reeling Giants in Germany

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Eddy Pineiro kicked a 36-yard field goal at 2:07 of overtime as the Carolina Panthers converted off a New York Giants turnover for a 20-17 victory on Sunday in Munich.

The Panthers (3-7) got the ball at the New York 23 for its only possession of overtime.

Bryce Young completed 15 of 25 passes for 126 yards with a touchdown and Chuba Hubbard churned out a career-high 153 yards on the ground on 28 carries.

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones went 22-for-37 for 190 yards with two interceptions. He ran for a touchdown.

Running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. gained 103 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown, but his fumble on the first snap of overtime set up Carolina’s winning points.

Graham Gano’s 42-yard field goal with five seconds to play forced overtime for the Giants (2-8), who’ve lost five straight games.

With the score at 17-14, the teams traded turnovers in the final eight minutes. The Panthers lost a fumble, only to have Jones throw an interception four plays later.

New York got the ball back at its own 21-yard line with 2:23 remaining and drove for the tying field goal.

The Giants opened the second half by going 65 yards in 10 plays while consuming more than six minutes off the clock. Tracy ran 32 yards for the touchdown.

Carolina responded by marching 80 yards in 10 plays with Hubbard scoring on a 1-yard run.

Then in the fourth quarter, the Giants covered 96 yards in 13 plays and used almost seven minutes in doing so. Jones capped the drive by running 2 yards for a score as New York closed within 17-14.

Aside from one drive, there wasn’t much offense in the first half. The Panthers scored first by going 90 yards in eight plays, with Young connecting with tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders for a 5-yard touchdown play.

Carolina added to its lead on the next possession, using 10 plays to go 56 yards to set up Pineiro’s 53-yard field goal.

Trailing 10-0, the Giants threatened in the second quarter, but Gano — a former Carolina kicker in his first game back after an injury — sailed a 43-yard field goal attempt wide right.

New York reached Carolina territory again before halftime, getting all the way to the 18-yard line before Xavier Woods intercepted Jones on the first play after the two-minute warning.

The Giants had 110 yards of total offense in the first half, with Jones going 6-for-14 for 54 yards.

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; A detailed view of a New York Giants helmet before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

NFL grants international market access to four new teams

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The Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants are going global.

The four teams are entering the NFL’s Global Markets Program for the first time, with three of them including Germany among their target countries.

In the third year of the league’s program, the total number of teams participating has risen to 25 across 19 different markets around the country. The program aims to help teams grow their presence on the international stage with events, marketing and commercial opportunities.

The Browns were granted rights to Nigeria — the first NFL team to access that market.

The Giants have rights to Germany, the Colts were allowed both Austria and Germany and the Lions were granted Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Canada.

The league also said that the Miami Dolphins are expanding their rights holdings to Argentina, Colombia and Mexico — the former two being targets for the first time. Miami already had rights in Brazil, Spain and the United Kingdom.

The Los Angeles Rams, who previously had rights in Australia, New Zealand, China and Mexico, became the first teams to expand their rights to Japan and South Korea.

“The momentum of the Global Markets Program underscores the strong commitment of NFL clubs to growing the game and their passionate fan bases around the world. Clubs are seeing the value and opportunity in new markets and aligning with the league to accelerate that growth together,” Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president for club business, major events and international, said in a statement. “We can’t wait to see the ongoing impact of the program on fandom and global growth in this season and in years ahead, both in new and existing markets and via new clubs joining and active clubs deepening their strategic commitments.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) scores on a 1-yard touchdown run against New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) in the first half during an NFL International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Gardner Minshew, Jonathan Taylor lift Colts past Patriots

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Gardner Minshew passed for 194 yards, Jonathan Taylor scored the game’s only touchdown and the Indianapolis Colts held on to defeat the sinking New England Patriots 10-6 on Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany.

The Colts (5-5) won their second straight game in order to enter their bye week at .500, while ensuring the Patriots (2-8) would retain the worst record in the AFC.

Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes and threw one interception. Taylor rushed 23 times for 69 yards, and Michael Pittman had a game-high eight catches for 84 yards for Indianapolis.

Behind by four with time winding down, the Patriots drove into striking distance. Rookie Demario Douglas had 9- and 21-yard receptions to help the cause.

But with Mike Gesicki getting open in the end zone, Mac Jones badly underthrew his pass to the tight end and Julian Blackmon corralled his third interception of the season.

The Patriots forced the Colts to punt and had one more possession with 1:52 to go. Bill Belichick sent Bailey Zappe in at quarterback after Jones’ league-high 10th pick of the year.

New England gained two first downs before Zappe, on a fake spike play, threw a deep ball intercepted by Rodney Thomas II.

Jones went 15-for-20 for 170 yards in the Patriots’ third straight loss and sixth in seven weeks. It was the third time this season New England failed to score a touchdown.

Rhamondre Stevenson ran 20 times for 88 yards.

The Patriots opened with a 13-play drive that produced a 37-yard field goal by Chad Ryland.

Indianapolis answered with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ate up most of the rest of the first quarter. Taylor swept right on fourth-and-goal from half a yard away to make it 7-3.

The teams traded punts the rest of the half. The Colts converted a fourth-and-4 to set up a field goal in the final seconds, but Matt Gay was short from 57 yards.

Early in the third quarter, Minshew tried a throw on the run, linebacker Jahlani Tavai tipped it and Myles Bryant fielded the interception. New England, however, failed to capitalize when Ryland missed a field goal right from 35 yards.

New England’s best drive spanned 8:04 across the third and fourth quarters. The Patriots moved 89 yards in 15 plays, almost entirely on the ground, but Jones was nearly intercepted on third-and-goal. They settled for Ryland’s 24-yard field goal to cut it to 7-6 with 12:44 to play.

Isaiah McKenzie returned the ensuing kickoff to the Colts’ 47. Gay drilled a 51-yard field goal with 8:54 left.

–Field Level Media

Feb 3, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson (27) during AFC practice for the Pro Bowl at Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Belichick expects CB J.C. Jackson back after bye week

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New England coach Bill Belichick expects cornerback J.C. Jackson to return to the team before the Patriots play the New York Giants on Nov. 26.

“Yeah, I think he’ll be available,” Belichick told reporters Friday in Frankfurt, Germany, where New England plays the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday before a bye week. “No, he’s not on the trip.”

Belichick declined Friday to explain the decision to have Jackson stay home this week.

Sports Illustrated reported earlier this week that Jackson was late to the team hotel on Nov. 4, resulting in him being benched to begin New England’s game against the Washington Commanders.

The Patriots could turn to cornerbacks Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Myles Bryant, Shaun Wade and Alex Austin to play in place of Jackson, who was acquired by the team in October. Bryant (chest) and Jonathan Jones (knee) have been limited practice participants and are questionable for the game.

Jackson, who turns 28 on Nov. 17, played for New England from 2018-21. He signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers in March 2022 but played only five games that season due to injury.

He has recorded 190 tackles, 61 passes defensed and 26 interceptions in 74 games (49 starts) with the Patriots and Chargers. He won Super Bowl LIII with New England and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) stiff-arms New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson (29) during the second half of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Oct. 29, 2023.

Report: Patriots CB J.C. Jackson will not travel to Germany

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New England Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson is not expected to travel with the team to face the Indianapolis Colts this weekend in Frankfurt, Germany, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

Per the report, “questions about (Jackson’s) reliability” contributed to the Patriots’ decision to go without him this week. The team has a bye following Sunday’s game.

Sports Illustrated reported that Jackson was late to the team hotel last Saturday, resulting in him being benched to begin New England’s game against the Washington Commanders.

The Patriots can turn to cornerbacks Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Myles Bryant, Shaun Wade and Alex Austin to play in place of Jackson, who was acquired by the team in October.

Jackson, who turns 28 on Nov. 17, played for New England from 2018-21. He signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers in March 2022 but played only five games that season due to injury.

He has recorded 190 tackles, 61 passes defensed and 26 interceptions in 74 games (49 starts) with the Patriots and Chargers. He won Super Bowl LIII with New England and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Nov 5, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany, ; fans gather for an NFL International Series game between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs stifle Dolphins’ offense, grab key AFC win

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Patrick Mahomes threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs held off the Miami Dolphins 21-14 Sunday in the first NFL game played in Frankfurt, Germany.

Bryan Cook’s fumble return for a touchdown just before halftime proved to be the game-winning score for the Chiefs (7-2), who earned what may prove to be a crucial win for playoff seeding tiebreakers with the Dolphins (6-3).

The Dolphins trailed 21-0 at halftime but scored twice late in the third quarter. Their nearly 8-minute drive in the fourth quarter yielded zero points when it was thwarted by a 6-yard tackle for loss by Willie Gay and an 11-yard sack by Tershawn Wharton.

Miami forced a three-and-out and got one more chance with the ball and 2:28 left. But on fourth-and-10 at the Chiefs’ 31, an errant snap glanced off Tua Tagovailoa’s fingertips and he could only fall on the ball.

Mahomes completed 20 of 30 passes, including touchdowns to Rashee Rice and Jerick McKinnon. Isiah Pacheco rushed 16 times for 66 yards.

For Miami, Tagovailoa went 21-of-34 passing for 193 yards and a touchdown. Raheem Mostert took 12 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown, and Tyreek Hill caught eight passes for 62 yards in his first game against his former team.

The Chiefs rolled 75 yards in seven plays on their opening drive, culminating in Mahomes’ 11-yard touchdown pass to Rice.

The teams combined to punt on their next seven drives before Kansas City forged a 13 play, 95-yard drive that ate up 8:28 of game time. McKinnon caught a pass in open space and carried it in for a 17-yard touchdown with 2:31 left in the half.

Miami went into its two-minute offense and reached the Chiefs’ 30-yard line before Hill caught a pass behind the line of scrimmage and Trent McDuffie forced him to fumble. Mike Edwards recovered for the Chiefs and Hill tried to drag him down, so he pitched it back to Cook, who galloped 59 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.

After a three-and-out to start the second half, Miami’s offense finally got the big play it needed. Tagovailoa lofted a 31-touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr. with 4:47 left in the third quarter for a touchdown.

Bradley Chubb came through with a strip-sack of Mahomes on the Chiefs’ next possession, and Zach Sieler of the Dolphins recovered at the Kansas City 27. Four plays later, Mostert swept left for a 13-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to seven with 22 seconds left in the third.

The Dolphins, known for their explosive offense this season, were held to a season-low in points and went 3-for-12 on third downs.

–Field Level Media