Jaguars & Commanders to Play in London 2026: Lions Host Germany Game | NFL International Schedule News
The NFL’s global expansion continues to gain momentum, with a record nine international games slated for the season. Among the confirmed locations, Munich, Germany, will play host to a Detroit Lions game, a development particularly meaningful for wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and his family.
The Lions’ participation in the Munich game, to be played at FC Bayern Munich Stadium, was officially announced on . While the date, kickoff time, and opponent remain to be determined – details expected with the NFL’s full schedule release in May – the confirmation marks a significant step for the franchise’s engagement with the German market. The game represents the NFL’s sixth regular-season contest in Germany.
For St. Brown, the opportunity to play in Munich carries a deeply personal resonance. His mother, Miriam, is German, and he and his brothers are fluent in the language, having frequently visited the country. News of the game was, fittingly, broken by Miriam herself, sharing the news with her youngest son. “It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country,” St. Brown said. “wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps.”
The Lions’ commitment to cultivating a fanbase in Germany extends beyond St. Brown’s personal connection. Since , the team has held marketing rights in the DACH region – Germany, Austria, and Switzerland – as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program. This initiative has included the creation of Leo Löwe, a mascot with a German flag-inspired mane, and the hosting of Thanksgiving Day Classic watch parties in Cologne. A streetwear collaboration with German designer MiDNIGHT in further demonstrates the team’s investment.
Beyond fan engagement, the Lions have also focused on grassroots development, conducting youth football education camps across Germany, often featuring St. Brown. A strategic partnership with 1. FC Köln of the Bundesliga, established in , aims to broaden the reach of both organizations and foster deeper fan engagement in both the United States and Germany.
The announcement of the Lions’ game in Munich comes alongside confirmation of international games in London. The Jacksonville Jaguars will host two games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while the Washington Commanders will host one. These games, along with the Lions’ Munich appearance, are part of a broader effort by the NFL to expand its international footprint, with games also planned for Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Spain, and Mexico City.
Henry Hodgson, General Manager at NFL UK and Ireland, highlighted the special significance of St. Brown’s situation, drawing parallels to Efe Obada’s opportunity to play in London for the Carolina Panthers in . “Reflecting back on 2019, when Efe Obada got the chance to play at Tottenham with the Carolina Panthers, it’s really special for players who have that history, that heritage in a country, to be able to go there and show people, in real life, what it is that they do,” Hodgson said. “I’m sure he will embrace that opportunity. He’s one of the most exciting receivers in the NFL and with a really successful team, so that’s a really exciting game to be bringing to Munich.”
The Lions haven’t played an international game since , and were scheduled to play in London in before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted those plans. The team received an extra home game in the season due to the NFL’s 17-game schedule rotation, providing an opportunity to bring a regular-season contest to Germany.
The NFL’s commitment to international games reflects a growing recognition of the global appetite for American football. With nine games planned across four continents and seven countries, the season promises to be a landmark year for the league’s international expansion, and a particularly special one for Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Detroit Lions.