The NFL Draft 2026 is set to grab place from April 23 to April 25, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada, marking the league’s annual selection event where all 32 teams will choose from the pool of eligible college football prospects. As the draft approaches, fans around the world — including in Germany — are eager to know how to follow the action live, what time it starts in their local zone, and whether any German-connected players might hear their names called. This guide provides verified details on date, time, TV coverage, streaming options, and the current landscape for international prospects, with a focus on potential German participants.
The draft will begin on Thursday, April 23, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), which corresponds to 1:00 a.m. Central European Time (CET) on Friday, April 24, for viewers in Germany. Day 2 (Rounds 2–3) starts on Friday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m. ET (1:00 a.m. CET on Saturday, April 25), and Day 3 (Rounds 4–7) commences on Saturday, April 25, at 12:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CET). These times are based on the NFL’s official announcement released in October 2025 confirming Las Vegas as the host city and the schedule for the 91st edition of the draft.
For German viewers, the primary broadcast partner remains ProSieben MAXX, which has carried NFL Draft coverage live in Germany since 2021. The network will provide full live coverage of all three days, with pre-draft analysis beginning 90 minutes before each session. Streams will also be available via the ProSieben MAXX livestream on Joyn, the network’s official streaming platform, requiring a free account for access. International fans can also tune in through NFL Game Pass International, which offers live and on-demand draft coverage in multiple languages, including English commentary, though German-language audio is not currently available on the platform.
Whereas no German-born players were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, the pipeline of international talent continues to grow, particularly through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program (IPPP). As of early 2026, two German athletes have garnered attention as potential draft-eligible prospects: Moritz Böhringer, a wide receiver who previously played for the Stuttgart Scorpions in the German Football League (GFL) and had brief NFL tryouts with the Minnesota Vikings in 2016 and 2017, and Johannes Wagner, an offensive lineman who played college football at the University of Tulsa after transferring from German junior college programs. Neither player has declared for the 2026 draft as of March 2026, but both remain eligible and are training with hopes of earning a look.
More immediately relevant to German fans is the presence of players with German heritage who could be selected. Among them is Jordan Travis, the former Florida State quarterback whose maternal grandparents emigrated from Germany to the United States in the 1950s. Travis, a dual-threat passer known for his leadership and athleticism, was invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and is projected as a mid-to-late round pick by several analysts. Another name gaining traction is A.J. Barner, tight end from the University of Michigan, whose father was born in Heidelberg before immigrating to the U.S. Barner, a 6’6”, 250-pound pass-catcher with strong blocking ability, has drawn interest from teams seeking versatile offensive weapons and is viewed as a potential Day 3 selection.
The NFL’s commitment to growing the game in Europe has intensified in recent years, with regular-season games held in London, Munich, and Frankfurt. The league hosted its first-ever NFL Draft international combine in London in 2024 and expanded the initiative to Frankfurt in 2025, where over 200 athletes from across Europe participated in drills, and interviews. While no German player has yet been drafted through this pipeline, league officials have noted increasing participation and performance from Central European athletes, particularly in offensive and defensive line positions where size and technique are paramount.
For those planning to watch the draft live in Germany, the late-night timing may pose a challenge, but many fans treat it as a communal event. Sports bars in Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich often open early for NFL Draft coverage, offering German-language commentary simulcasts and themed promotions. The atmosphere, while quieter than a Super Bowl viewing party, draws dedicated followers eager to see which college stars will join the ranks of the NFL — and whether, one day, a player developed entirely in the German football system will hear his name called on draft night.
As of now, no German national team players or GFL standouts have officially entered the 2026 NFL Draft process. However, the league continues to scout talent globally, and performances in the European League of Football (ELF), which features teams like the Rhein Fire and Cologne Centurions, are increasingly monitored by NFL personnel. A standout season in the ELF could elevate a prospect’s profile, though no player from the league has yet been drafted.
The next key checkpoint in the draft timeline is the NFL’s annual spring league meeting, scheduled for late May 2026 in Austin, Texas, where potential rule changes and procedural updates for the following year’s draft will be discussed. For now, fans in Germany and beyond can prepare to tune in on April 23, marking their calendars for the start of what promises to be another pivotal moment in the NFL’s offseason calendar.
Whether you’re a lifelong NFL follower or a latest fan discovering the draft through Germany’s growing American football scene, the 2026 edition offers a chance to witness the future of the league unfold in real time. Set your alarms, grab your snacks, and join the global conversation as the next generation of NFL talent takes its first step toward professional football.
