For the last time this season, the NFL is going global.
The final contest of the 2023 NFL international series takes place today, as the Patriots and Colts wrap up the intercontinental action in Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday. It is the last of five games that have been played outside the United States this season.
The NFL has been determined to increase its popularity and fan base outside American borders, and it has been a major success so far. The initiative started more than 10 years ago, with a handful of games here and there, but it has since grown into an annual occurrence.
After German fans were treated to Chiefs-Dolphins last week, the Frankfurt faithful will get to watch the Patriots and Colts at Deutsche Bank Park. It is certainly not as appealing of a matchup, but New England and Indianapolis should bring enough entertainment for the Germans fans to thoroughly enjoy their last chance at watching an NFL game in person for 2023.
MORE: Why are the Patriots so popular in Germany?
The Sporting News explains why the Patriots and Colts are playing in Germany.
Why is Patriots vs. Colts played in Germany?
Ahead of the 2022 season, the NFL reached an agreement to bring at least one game to Germany from 2022 to 2025. It was a part of the league’s commitment to broadening its reach outside of the United States, expanding outside of the previous games played in England and Mexico.
“We are very pleased to welcome Munich and Frankfurt to the NFL family and are excited to reward our fans in Germany for their passion by bringing them the spectacle of regular-season NFL football,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at the time. “We look forward to staging our first game in Germany at FC Bayern Munich’s fantastic stadium later this year and to exploring areas of broader collaboration with the Bundesliga.”
Germany’s NFL fan base has steadily increased over the last decade, becoming one of the top European countries to invest time into following football in North America. It has helped that the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program has brought in a couple of German players to the league, including current Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson.
“We are looking forward to partnerships with Munich and Frankfurt that will extend beyond the games and help us to deliver accelerated growth in Germany,” NFL head of Europe and UK Brett Gosper said at the time of the German games announcement. “The strong interest we received underlined what a fantastic opportunity regular-season games offer for a host, ranging from significant economic benefits and global exposure to the chance to become a hub for the growth of the NFL’s fan engagement, community and grassroots activities.”
How many NFL games have been played in Germany?
The Patriots-Colts game is going to be the third NFL contest hosted in Germany.
Last season was the first year that the NFL brought games to Germany. Munich was the site for that contest before the league shifted this year’s games to Frankfurt.
The league has a deal in place to bring games to Germany for the next two seasons. There will be one game next year that is already scheduled to take place in Munich, and there will be another in 2025, likely returning to Frankfurt.
History of NFL games in Germany
As mentioned, there have only been two previous games played in Germany. The Colts-Pats matchup on Sunday is the third.
There have been no repeat participants in an NFL Germany game, and it is unknown who will be playing in front of the German crowds in the next two seasons.
| Season | Matchup | Venue | City |
| 2022 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21, Seattle Seahawks 16 | Allianz Arena | Munich |
| 2023 | Kansas City Chiefs 21, Miami Dolphins 14 | Deutsche Bank Park | Frankfurt |
| 2023 | New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts | Deutsche Bank Park | Frankfurt |