The NFL fans in Germany can look forward to twice: The best football league in the world is returning in 2023 – and not just for one, but for two regular season games. The NFL announced this when the International Games Series was announced on Thursday.
In addition, the two teams that will play a home game in Germany have already been determined: the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots. Opponents of past Super Bowl winners will be announced at a later date.
Why are there two regular season games in Germany in 2023? Due to renovation work for the 2026 World Cup, the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City will not be available for the 2023 NFL International Games season. Germany is therefore stepping in for Mexico.
NFL games in Germany: Venue and time
It is not yet certain when the two NFL games will take place in Germany in 2023, whether one city will host both games or whether Frankfurt and Munich will each play a role and will also be announced later in the year.
What is clear: Frankfurt and Munich have already been determined as the two venues for games between 2022 and 2025.
In Munich on November 13, 2022, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks made history with the first NFL game in Germany. 75,000 fans in Munich’s Allianz Arena saw Tom Brady and Co. win 21:16 and created a very special atmosphere that also impressed the quarterback superstar.
“It was one of the greatest football experiences I’ve ever had. Considering I’ve been in the league for 23 years, that says a lot. The fans have been amazing,” said Brady, who said he was through Atmosphere at the Munich Game was “electrified” from the start.
“At the end of the game, when they sang ‘Sweet Caroline’ and ‘Country Roads,’ it was pretty epic. I think everyone who was there experienced something really special,” Brady said.
London Games: Three teams have already been determined
There will also be NFL games in another European city – London has been the venue since 2007. At that time, the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants were the first teams with an official league game in England.
In 2023 there will be three games in London again – and three franchises have already been decided: the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans und Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars have played a game in London every year since 2013.
The Bills and the Titans have also been guests in London. The Bills last lost 31-34 to the Jaguars in 2015 and the Titans 19-20 to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018.
NFL games in Germany – growth strategy of the NFL
Holding regular-season games is part of the NFL’s growth strategy in Germany, which also includes a permanent office, grassroots programs and social projects.
The selection process for NFL games in Germany began in 2021 with initial expressions of interest from nine cities, after which Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich were invited to participate in an intensive application process. Frankfurt and Munich prevailed.
In addition to the games, the partnerships between the NFL and Munich and Frankfurt also include joint fan activities, community participation programs and other NFL initiatives.
In December 2021, the NFL announced that four NFL teams — the Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers — would access the German market for marketing, fan engagement, and commercialization as part of their International Home Marketing Areas ( IHMA) was granted. The Buccaneers were allowed to play the first game, now the Chiefs and the Patriots follow.