The NFL is taking its show on the road in a big way for 2026, and fans in Munich have just been given a marquee matchup to look forward to. The New England Patriots have been officially named as the Detroit Lions' opponent for this year's game in Germany, the league announced Tuesday.
This will mark the Lions' first-ever trip to Germany, and they'll bring a special connection to the field: German-born wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, one of the league's most dynamic playmakers. For Patriots fans, it's a return to German soil after they faced the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt back in 2023.
Germany has become a key part of the NFL's international expansion, hosting at least one regular-season game every year since 2022. The league has already locked in future games in Berlin for 2027 and 2029, with Munich also set to host again in 2028.
But the Munich matchup is just one piece of what the NFL is calling "its most ambitious and lengthy globe-trotting journey to date." The 2026 international series will feature nine games across five continents, including some historic firsts. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will square off in Melbourne, Australia, marking the NFL's debut Down Under. Meanwhile, Paris gets its first taste of NFL action when the New Orleans Saints host the Pittsburgh Steelers.
London will see three games: the Colts versus the Washington Commanders, the Philadelphia Eagles against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Houston Texans taking on the Jaguars again. Madrid gets in on the action with the Cincinnati Bengals facing the Atlanta Falcons, Mexico City hosts the Minnesota Vikings and 49ers, and Rio de Janeiro will feature the Baltimore Ravens battling the Dallas Cowboys.
For fans looking to gear up for these historic matchups, now's the perfect time to stock up on your team's colors—whether you're supporting the Lions' blue or the Patriots' iconic silver and red, these international games are ones you won't want to miss.