“A Big Celebration Together”: Munich Football Voices Are Eagerly Anticipating the 2026 NFL Munich Game
Moritz Apfel: “Affirmation of Munich as a Football Destination”
For Moritz Apfel, the NFL’s return is above all a sign of the importance American football has come to hold in the Bavarian capital. The captain of the German national flag football team and player for the Munich Spatzen describes the game as “an affirmation of Munich as a football destination.”
At the same time, an NFL International Game offers an opportunity that few football fans get to experience on a regular basis. “The game in Munich is a rare opportunity to get a feel for the atmosphere and scale of the NFL,” says Apfel.
His statement hits on an important point: The NFL Munich Game is by no means just about the four quarters on the field. For several days, Munich will become a gathering place for football fans from Germany, Europe, and beyond.
Zoe Song Is Looking Forward to Two Established NFL Teams
Zoe Song is also eagerly anticipating the game. The Munich Spatzen’s national team player expects to see two teams—the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots—that already have numerous fans in Munich. “They’re two established teams with lots of fans here in Munich, too,” says Song.
On the field, there’s added excitement. Detroit is traveling to Germany with a 6–2 record following a 19–9 victory over the Miami Dolphins. The Patriots stand at 5–4 after their loss to Green Bay. This means two teams are facing off in Munich for whom the game holds great significance, especially with regard to the rest of the season.
Song is therefore hoping for one thing above all else: a close game. “Everything is still up in the air in the NFL right now; there are so many exciting games. I hope the Lions and the Patriots will give us an exciting game in Munich, too.”
Game Week Turns All of Munich into a Football Stage
For Song, however, the experience doesn’t begin with the kickoff on Sunday afternoon. Even during Game Week, the NFL will be present at numerous locations throughout Munich. Team pubs, fan fests, meet-and-greets, merchandise stands, and other events will bring the football atmosphere to the city center.
“There are some really cool events planned leading up to the game, and I’m already really looking forward to them,” says Song. The Munich native has already experienced the special atmosphere surrounding previous NFL games in the city.
“I actually always find that the Munich Game brings a great atmosphere. I’ve also heard from a lot of people that they’ll be there in person.” This means the week surrounding the 2026 NFL Munich Game will once again be more than just a single sporting event.
Nadine Nurasyid Recalls the “Epic” First Munich Game
Hardly anyone in Munich’s football scene knows the connection between the city and the NFL as well as Nadine Nurasyid. The Munich-based coach currently works for the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL and continues to support Touchdown Munich as an ambassador.
Even from Indianapolis, she looks forward to the upcoming game with great enthusiasm. “As an ambassador, I couldn’t be happier that another NFL game is taking place in Munich,” says Nurasyid.
Her memories go back to 2022. That was when Munich hosted the first NFL regular-season game on German soil. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced off against the Seattle
The Seahawks—and with Tom Brady, German fans got to see one of the greatest players in NFL history in person. For Nurasyid, that memory remains special to this day. “That game back in 2022 at the Allianz Arena was epic. We got to see Tom Brady play back then.”
“Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming home, so to speak”
Four years later, another player with a very special connection to Germany is taking center stage. Amon-Ra St. Brown is one of the stars of the Detroit Lions and also one of the best-known football players with German roots. That’s exactly why Nurasyid singles out the wide receiver in particular.
“With Amon-Ra St. Brown, we’re also welcoming someone back ‘home,’ so to speak—someone who has German roots and a German mom.” For the NFL Munich Game, this story is practically ideal: one of the NFL’s best wide receivers is taking the field in a regular-season game in Germany—in front of a crowd where he’s long been one of the most recognizable players.
The Lions themselves also highlighted St. Brown’s connection to Germany when planning their International Game. The game in Munich marks Detroit’s first international regular-season game since 2015.
Lions und Patriots haben sich große deutsche Fanbases aufgebaut
The Lions and Patriots have built up large German fan bases St. Brown isn’t the only reason this matchup is appealing to German fans. Both Detroit and New England have built up a large following in Germany over many years. “Both teams have built up a great fan base in Germany as well,” says Nurasyid.
The Patriots, in particular, have a large fan base thanks to their long era of success and numerous activities in Germany. At the same time, the Lions have increasingly come into the spotlight in recent years, both on the field and in the media. This should make for a colorful scene in the stands of the Allianz Arena on November 15.
Allianz Arena Returns as an NFL Venue
For Nurasyid, Munich as a host city is also a key part of the success of previous NFL games. “The Allianz Arena is simply a fantastic venue for hosting NFL games,” says the Munich native. Added to that is the city itself.
“Munich, its culture, and its people are always a wonderful experience for everyone who visits.” The 2026 NFL Munich Game will take place on Sunday, November 15, at 3:30 p.m. The New England Patriots will face the Detroit Lions as the visiting team.
Nadine Will Watch the Munich Game from Indianapolis
Nurasyid herself, however, won’t be in Munich this time. Due to her work with the Indianapolis Colts, she’ll be watching the game from the U.S. Her message to the fans is clear nonetheless. “I wish all Munich residents, all football fans, and everyone who wants to become one an incredible time during Game Week—with all the events, but above all, of course, on game day.”
The opportunity to experience NFL football right on one’s own doorstep, in particular, remains something special. “I’m incredibly grateful that the NFL is doing this and that we have the chance to actually experience this sport live.”
The NFL Munich Game as a Shared Football Celebration
In doing so, Nurasyid probably describes quite accurately what makes the NFL weekend in Munich so special. “It’s always a huge celebration together. You see jerseys from all the teams, and it’s just one big party for everyone.” It’s precisely this blend of athletic highlights and communal experience that will once again take center stage in 2026.
American football, flag football, international NFL fans, and the local Munich football scene will come together for several days.For Moritz Apfel, it’s confirmation of Munich’s status as a football hub. Zoe Song is looking forward to the atmosphere, the fan activities, and what she hopes will be an exciting game. And Nadine Nurasyid, watching from Indianapolis, is looking toward a city she knows well—a city that’s once again gearing up for an extraordinary NFL weekend.
Then, on November 15, comes the highlight: the Detroit Lions vs. the New England Patriots—with Amon-Ra St. Brown right in the thick of it.
