Lions Turning Munich Into Their ‘Home Turf’ for 2026 Season

The Detroit Lions are packing their bags for Germany in 2026 and not for a casual sightseeing tour. The franchise announced it will serve as the home team for a regular-season game in Munich, marking the first time in team history they’ll host a game overseas. Yes, technically “home” now includes bratwurst, beer halls and very enthusiastic European fans.

The matchup will take place at FC Bayern Munich’s stadium and will be the Lions’ first international appearance in more than a decade. Details like the opponent, exact date and kickoff time are still locked away until the full NFL schedule drops in the spring. Translation: hype first, specifics later.

The team kicked off the announcement

See you soon, Deutschland! pic.twitter.com/NyCMrLyrq3
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) February 24, 2026

Team president and CEO Rod Wood made it clear this move isn’t random — it’s part of a bigger global push.
” We are thrilled to be playing internationally and specifically in Munich for the 2026 season. As an organization, we have invested greatly in the German market and are excited to play in front of our passionate German fans.”

Detroit has been quietly building a German fan base through football camps, marketing rights and regular visits across the DACH region – Germany, Austria and Switzerland. One major reason the connection feels personal is wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. His mother is from Cologne, which makes this game less like a business trip and more like a very large family reunion… with helmets.

St. Brown didn’t hide the emotion around the announcement.
“It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league. I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.”

Detroit’s last international appearance dates back to November 1, 2015, when they faced the Kansas City Chiefs at Wembley Stadium in London as the away team. A decade later, the Lions return — but this time they’re bringing “home energy” with them.

The bigger picture is obvious: the NFL’s global expansion is real, and the Lions are leaning into it. Munich gets the spotlight, German fans get a home-style experience, and Detroit gets a chance to roar on an international stage.