NFL full steam ahead with its Germany plans

Article posted by Coliseum, October 12^th, 2021

Image: NFL (LinkedIn)

The National Football League (NFL) (US) games are coming to Germany. And the NFL date with Germany is nearing.

The ‘kicker’ stated that not very long back, the League named two specific locations in Germany – Munich and Berlin – and in one of these places’ venue an NFL matchup will be played. Munich seems to be the hot favorite.

A long-cherished dream of staunch NFL fans in Germany is to watch a match in Munich. What was wishful thinking on the part of hardcore fans so far may soon become a reality as early as 2022.

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The National Football League (NFL) is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference and the American Football Conference.

The ‘kicker’ further stated that on October 12^th, the NFL will publish the shortlist of three German Cities/stadia. A decision is expected in December this year as regards a NFL regular-season game in Germany outside the United States.

According to the League’s own TV and streaming channel ‘NFL Network’, for some time now, the home of Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich – the 75,024-capacity Allianz Arena – and the Bundesliga team Hertha BSC’s home facility – the 74,475-capacity Olympiastadion Berlin – are on the top priority list of hosting an NFL matchup.

If possible in 2022, but no later than 2023, a regular season match should take place on German soil for the first time, because the NFL views the German market as one of the biggest and most significant for further expansion.

As per US media reports, the League has undertaken to continue awarding several games per year to London (UK), where the NFL team Atlanta Falcons triumphed over its peer team New York Jets (27-20) on October 10^th at the 62,850-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London (UK).

The ‘AP’ quoted Brett Gosper, NFL Head, UK and Europe, as stating that they are finalizing their shortlist of German Cities to host a game as early as next season.

The opening of an office in Germany is “reasonably imminent”, he added, as is the hiring of a General Manager there as the League expands in Europe, with France and Spain also in its sights.

A regular-season game in Germany seems a question of when, not if, with a decision expected by the end of the year. He said the “only hesitation” on 2022 would be scheduling conflicts with soccer’s World Cup, which begins next November in Qatar – “If we can solve those, then it could be 2022. Certainly no later than 2023.”

The ‘AP’ further stated that Germany, which has increasingly produced athletes for US college football programs, had five teams at various times in the former World League/NFL Europe/NFL Europa.

A league office in Germany is upcoming.

Added Gosper, the Australian former CEO of World Rugby, “It’s reasonably imminent because we’re at the intense phase of a search for a General Manager. Where we decide that would be set up might depend on where we land on a possible game in Germany.”

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