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The NFL continues its bold journey of global expansion, and the next stop is Berlin. In a historic announcement, the league revealed that the International Series will debut in Germany’s capital in 2025, with a game set to take place at the iconic Olympic Stadium. This landmark event marks Berlin as the third German city to host an NFL game, following successful outings in Munich and Frankfurt.
Ian Rapoport, a prominent NFL insider, broke the news with a tweet: “The NFL is coming to Berlin at Olympic Stadium in 2025,” igniting widespread excitement among football fans worldwide. The announcement underscores the NFL’s ambitious international growth strategy, one that has been met with both enthusiasm and criticism.
Berlin’s Olympic Stadium: A Legendary Venue
The Olympic Stadium, with its capacity to seat over 74,000 fans, is not just a remarkable venue but also a historic landmark in global sports. It has hosted legendary events such as the FIFA World Cup Finals in 1974 and 2006, the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011, and most recently, the UEFA EURO 2024 Final.
This isn’t the first time the NFL has played at this iconic site. Between 1990 and 1994, Berlin hosted five American Bowl games at the Olympic Stadium. Furthermore, the venue served as the home of NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder in the early 2000s.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell highlighted this deep-rooted history:
“Germany has a rich tradition of American football, and the NFL has a deep history with the city of Berlin. We first held a preseason game at the Olympic Stadium 34 years ago. Now, with almost 20 million NFL fans in Germany, we’ll make a historic return to the city playing a regular-season game for the first time as we open the next chapter in our relationship with Berlin.”
Germany’s Love Affair with the NFL
Germany has emerged as a critical market for the NFL, fueled by a growing fanbase that now includes nearly 20 million enthusiasts. The league’s decision to expand its International Series to Berlin is a testament to the overwhelming support seen during games in Munich and Frankfurt.
The move also comes at a time when the NFL is actively working to deepen its relationship with Germany by developing grassroots initiatives, including flag football programs. Flag football is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles Games in 2028, further intertwining American football with Germany’s sports ecosystem.
Berlin’s senator for interior and sports, Iris Spranger, emphasized the city’s excitement:
“This long-term partnership with the NFL will continue to boost Berlin as a global sports metropolis, as well as excite fans at the Olympic Stadium. The 2025 NFL Berlin game means worldwide visibility, numerous international guests, increased tourism, and high economic value across the city.”
A Part of a Bigger Picture: The NFL’s Global Vision
The 2025 Berlin game is part of a broader International Series schedule that includes two games at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Berlin’s selection as a host city reflects the NFL’s commitment to diversifying its reach, with games already held in cities like Munich, Frankfurt, Mexico City, and Toronto.
Goodell has also hinted at future games in other international locations. In a statement last year, he revealed plans for potential games in Mexico, Brazil, and Ireland, alongside a continued presence in the United Kingdom and Germany.
“As we have previously mentioned, we are going to Spain, and we hope to return to Mexico City and Brazil (São Paulo),” Goodell said. “We are considering the possibility of playing in Ireland, and we will likely also return here to Germany.”
What This Means for the NFL and Berlin
The NFL’s arrival in Berlin is more than just a game—it’s a cultural and economic event with significant implications. The partnership between the NFL and Berlin is expected to boost tourism, attract international visitors, and enhance the city’s reputation as a global sports hub.
As fans eagerly await the 2025 game, Berlin’s Olympic Stadium will once again find itself at the heart of a historic moment in sports, hosting an NFL regular-season game for the first time and showcasing the league’s growing influence beyond American borders.
The 2025 Berlin game promises to be more than a milestone; it is a testament to the NFL’s vision of uniting fans worldwide under the banner of American football.
