German football fans can also look forward to NFL guest games in this country in the coming years. The fourth season game in Germany in three years is scheduled for Sunday in Munich – the match between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Giants is the last of the current deal with the best league in the world.
“But I am very optimistic and can give all NFL fans the green light that we will continue to play here in Germany in the future,” said Alexander Steinforth, the head of NFL Germany, in an interview with the German Press Agency. “It was actually clear to us after the first Munich game: This has to continue.”
Steinforth: Munich and Frankfurt remain the first points of contact
The German NFL premiere took place in the Bavarian capital in autumn 2022, and two games took place in Frankfurt last year. It is not yet clear where the games will be played in the future. “There are one or two cities that have raised their hand,” said Steinforth. Berlin and Düsseldorf are considered candidates. “But we had great experiences in Frankfurt and Munich, so they are our first point of contact.” The football official suspects that by the end of the year or beginning of 2025 it will be clear how and where things will continue.
The previous appearances in Germany have been enthusiastically registered in the USA and in the league. “Germany is now the case study for everything that is hoped for internationally. “What has happened here in the last two and a half years, in terms of fan growth and enthusiasm, is the model for what we want to do in other markets,” said Steinforth. The NFL has already hosted a number of games abroad, such as in London and Mexico City. Other countries are also interested.
Even greater ticket demand than Tom Brady
After superstar Tom Brady played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Munich in 2022 and the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs around quarterback ace Patrick Mahomes played in Frankfurt last year, the Panthers and Giants are currently not top teams in terms of sport. Nevertheless, demand for tickets for the Allianz Arena was still higher than two years ago, said Steinforth. “We could have sold three million tickets the first time. And this time there were even more people in the queue.”
