Berlin, Germany – Berlin is aiming to join Munich and Frankfurt as a host city for future NFL games, with city officials preparing to formalize a bid in hopes of bringing American football to Germany’s capital.
A spokesperson confirmed Saturday that the Berlin Senate is set to discuss a proposal on Tuesday from Senator for Sport and the Interior Iris Spranger, seeking approval to submit a formal bid for NFL games.
At a fan event in Munich ahead of the New York Giants matchup with the Carolina Panthers, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hinted at Berlin’s prospects, saying, “We are working on it but nothing is finalized yet.” Goodell’s comments come as the NFL prepares for the fourth game in Germany, held in Munich this year, with Berlin eager to follow suit.
Despite its historic Olympiastadion and strong hosting capabilities, Berlin was initially overlooked in favour of Munich and Frankfurt for the NFL’s current series of games in Germany. T
he Olympiastadion, a well-established venue with a rich sporting history, is seen as a strong contender for future NFL games. Unlike Munich’s Allianz Arena, which required adjustments to fit NFL specifications, Berlin’s stadium is equipped to host major events with minimal changes.
The NFL’s success in Germany has encouraged the league to explore more German venues, with Goodell emphasizing that awarding Berlin a game would not exclude Munich and Frankfurt from hosting additional matchups.
Germany’s demand for American football has surged, with packed stadiums and strong fan engagement supporting the potential for a multi-city lineup.
Germany joins a growing list of international markets vying for NFL games. London has hosted NFL games since 2007 across three stadiums — Wembley, Twickenham, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — and the NFL has recently hosted games in Mexico, Canada, and Brazil, with Madrid slated to join next year.
Despite the increased global competition, Berlin officials remain optimistic, with sources suggesting that the NFL may offer additional international game slots to various cities in the near future.