“I would love to spend a lot of time in the Olympic Stadium”
The NFL plays several games per season outside the United States; Frankfurt and Munich have already hosted matches in Germany. Now the capital is also preparing to present the great spectacle of American football: Berlin is bidding for NFL matches from 2025.
Berlin is officially applying to host several NFL football league games starting in 2025. “Based on the models, the Senate decided today that the sports metropolis Berlin will apply to host NFL games in the long run term,” said Sports Senator Iris Spranger. “We would like to see the NFL at the Olympic Stadium, ideally for a very long time,” continued the SPD politician. A partnership is planned from 2025 to 2029.
League boss Roger Goodell had already spoken openly about Berlin’s plans on Sunday during the match in Munich. With the official application, Berlin is moving closer to finalization. Spranger, who is also present in Munich, expects that it will take a few weeks before the contract is signed.
The politician would like to organize three matches in Berlin in four years. Worldwide, the NFL plays eight games per season outside the United States. Munich and Frankfurt could also continue as hosts.
Berlin’s Olympic Stadium should be modified for the NFL
Berlin hosted preseason games for NFL teams five times in the 1990s. Since 2022, Munich and Frankfurt have each hosted two games in a season, Munich most recently last Sunday. The game between the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers (17:20 nV) was sold out in a few hours.
Such an effect is also expected in Berlin. The city is therefore investing a double-digit sum of 12.5 million euros in events. The investment should not only be profitable thanks to the numerous domestic and foreign visitors and provide a lasting boost to tourism. Spranger spoke of the added value of the games in Munich (70 million euros) and Frankfurt (110 million).
“The NFL has an exceptional global television presence with broadcasts in approximately 220 countries. Berlin would also benefit from a tourist and economic outlook. We would also make infrastructure improvements to the Olympic Stadium and other sports venues,” Spranger said. In the Olympic stadium, the playing area should be expanded by eight meters and the booths should also be rebuilt.
