The Bundesliga and the National Football League have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding to expand their joint commercial ventures and fan experiences across international markets, Calcio e Finanza reported.
Originally launched in 2022, the partnership pairs European soccer with American football to share operational expertise, develop digital content, and drive marketing initiatives in North America and Germany.
The renewal of our MOU with the NFL represents a fundamental step for the continued expansion of the Bundesliga in the United States,
Bundesliga CEO Steffen Merkel said in a press statement reported by Calcio e Finanza. This collaboration not only strengthens the bond between NFL and Bundesliga, but also plays an important role in our overall growth strategy in the U.S. market.
The German soccer league is pursuing a broader American growth strategy following the 2026 World Cup. That blueprint includes a long-standing 17-year collaboration with Relevent Sports covering broadcast rights, regional sponsorships, and grassroots soccer programs.
Over the past four years, the NFL has hosted five regular-season games inside German soccer venues. Those matchups landed at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena, Eintracht Frankfurt’s stadium, and Hertha Berlin’s home ground.
The partnership between NFL and Bundesliga demonstrates the value of bringing together two of the world’s leading sports leagues,
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, as cited by Calcio e Finanza. By extending our collaboration, we can continue to learn from each other, create new fan experiences, and explore innovative ways to grow our sports.
Joint promotional events have paired former athletes from both leagues in recent years. Former Bayern Munich player Rafinha joined former New England Patriots players Brian Hoyer and Sebastian Vollmer for a watch party in December 2025 ahead of a Patriots game against the Buffalo Bills.
During the 2026 NFL Draft, former Borussia Dortmund player Patrick Owomoyela announced the Pittsburgh Steelers’ sixth-round draft pick.
In another cross-sport activation on September 22, former NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri set a Guinness World Record by converting a field goal on the Swiss Alps at an altitude of 3.454 meters, backed by former Bayern Munich striker Giovane Elber acting as his holder.
Bundesliga legends Claudio Pizarro and Roman Weidenfeller also represented German soccer at recent Super Bowl events in New Orleans and San Francisco.
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