When and where can the “Munich Game” be seen?
It is the second game of the US Football League in Munich and the fourth in Germany: The Carolina Panthers “receive” the four-time Super Bowl winners New York Giants. Both teams are not playing particularly well at the moment. Kick-off of the game is on Sunday, November 10th, at 3:30 p.m. in the Arena in Fröttmaning. The game will be broadcast live on RTL. A large merchandising shop, kiosks and football gadgets will be set up around the arena.
Why is the NFL coming to Munich?
This is about further expanding the football hype and thus expanding the European sales market. The Carolina Panthers are one of four teams that the National Football League (NFL) granted special marketing rights in Germany three years ago – and now the last of the four to pitch in Germany. The first NFL game in Germany two years ago exceeded the expectations of everyone involved, the atmosphere was considered outstanding and set standards in football fan culture. Not just in the arena: almost nine million people saw the game live, around 1.6 million of them in Germany.
How big is the effort?
Huge. A football team consists of 53 players, so it needs an entire aircraft including the staff. The NFL needs several days to renovate the arena and is flying in numerous employees to do this. Time is also of the essence: FC Bayern still has a Champions League home game against Benfica Lisbon on November 6th. Due to an international football break, there are ten full days left for dismantling.
Are there still tickets?
Nope. This time the tickets cost between 41.75 and 207 euros. When asked, the NFL explained that interest in tickets was “very high” this time too. This year, however, no precise information will be given about the number of ticket requests. Samples showed that, with luck, individual tickets are available on the NFL’s resale portal, as well as hospitality tickets for 887 euros per person. But: When you call a hotline for ticket hotel packages (559 euros) they say: “Unfortunately everything is already fully booked, sorry!” But the evidence suggests that the interest is not quite as great as in 2022, when Tom Brady probably the best players of all time with his team at the time, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The NFL is trying with all its might to prevent a black market.
Where do the fans come from?
NFL ticket sales were limitless. According to official information, there were no fixed contingents for European and US fans. However, there were travel package contingents for Panthers and Giants fans in the USA. Because not only New York, but also Charlotte has a direct flight connection to Munich, it can be assumed that more fans will arrive from the USA this time than for the premiere in 2022 with the match between Tampa Bay and Seattle, where the majority of the fans come from a wide variety of corners Europe came.
What events are planned?
The NFL wants to create a festival atmosphere throughout the city, so there will be parties in numerous bars in the days leading up to the game. The city is planning “team bars” in the city center. On Thursday, the NFL announced that rapper Machine Gun Kelly would perform at the halftime show. A consolation prize for all those who didn’t get tickets: TV rights holder RTL is inviting you to a “watch party” in the new SAP Garden as part of the live broadcast, which will last until late in the evening. Tickets are available from 34.50 euros.
Is it the last NFL game in Germany?
Most likely not. Germany were originally guaranteed four games. They actually already were, but one of the two games in Frankfurt in 2023 only served as a replacement location for Mexico City. In any case, NFL boss Roger Goodell has made it clear that the NFL wants to travel even more. It’s quite possible that Berlin will get a game next. However, the competition is also growing: Spain has already been awarded a game for 2025, and a second appearance in Brazil is considered likely. Perhaps the secret will be revealed during the Munich game, or perhaps not until a few weeks later.
