The NFL is expanding its international footprint. Details remain unknown, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to announce that they will play a game in Munich in 2022 according to Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal. It would be the first time the NFL has traveled to Germany in the regular season.
Networks have enjoyed the success of the London games. It gives television a third daytime window for NFL football on the Sundays that a game is being played in Great Britain. Games in Germany would likely do the same. Munich is one hour ahead of London. That shouldn’t make a difference though, given that they are six and five hours ahead of America’s East Coast respectively.
The Buccaneers are one of four teams that won international marketing rights in Germany. The other three were the Chiefs, Panthers and Patriots. While neither team would want to give up a home game in the division, with both having a relationship with Germany, it is worth wondering if Carolina is the favorite to be Tampa’s opponent in Munich.
One aspect that will be interesting to watch as we get closer to the season is what is happening in Ukraine and how that impacts the NFL’s European plans. Even if fighting stays contained to one country, could the threat of escalation be enough to spook the league and the sponsors footing the bill?
Are the Buccaneers starting a trend? Every team that won international marketing rights has always been expected to play “home games” in those countries. It just seems to be happening a lot sooner than many expected. If teams are already gathering their passports, then expect the Dolphins to play in Brazil, the Bears to play in Spain, and the Super Bowl Champion Rams to take their pick of China or Australia before 2023.
The Buccaneers are expected to announce their trip to Germany on Monday. Full details in terms of week, kickoff time and opponent will not be released until the NFL releases its full 2022 schedule in the spring.
