German Interest and NFL’s Plans for Expansion: Berlin Shows Potential as Host City

AP Nov 5, 2023, 01:31 Reading: 2 min.

The commissioner assured that the capital of Germany showed interest in hosting a match while indicating the league’s desire to continue playing in the country beyond 2025.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Berlin has shown “great interest” in hosting a game as the league seeks to expand its agreement to play in Germany beyond 2025.

“Düsseldorf, Berlin — there is great interest there — so I think they are all possibilities,” said Roger Goodell this Saturday.

Frankfurt will host two games starting Sunday when the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Miami Dolphins at Deutsche Bank Park. The first regular season match in Germany was played last year in Munich.

The NFL seeks to extend its presence in Germany beyond 2025.AP Photo

Under the current NFL contract, one game will be played next season — in Munich — and another in 2025, possibly in Frankfurt.

Düsseldorf, Frankfurt and Munich were the finalists before the NFL chose its host cities. Berlin did not apply.

Roger Goodell, who responded to questions from fans but not the press, did not reveal whether the league extended its deal, but confirmed that the NFL is committed to the country for the long term.

“We have every intention of playing here,” Roger Goodell told an almost entirely German audience at a downtown hotel. “You have been a big part of our growth, you have been part of our story to grow the sport globally. We will continue to play here in some capacity.”

Next week, the New England Patriots will face the Indianapolis Colts at Deutsche Bank Park, the home of Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.

He was asked the “franchise question” as usual when he travels to London, but Roger Goodell said the league has no plans to have a team in Europe.

Instead, the strategy is to play more games away from home. The NFL added 17 games to the schedule to facilitate this and is evaluating Spain and Brazil as possible future venues.

“I hope we play regular season games in another market next year, in addition to the markets we are already in,” said Roger Goodell.

He added that they are considering having a “prime time” match in London.

2023-11-05 04:37:57
#Roger #Goodell #confirms #Berlin #NFL #game