The NHL is taking another step deeper into Germany. The league announced a multiyear partnership with FC Bayern Munich and said it will stage regular-season games in Germany in each of the next three seasons.
The plan gives the NHL a clear timeline in a market it has identified as a priority for growing its fan base in Europe. It also extends the league’s presence beyond a one-off showcase and into a three-year run of games tied to different cities and venues.
Germany becomes a priority market
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said Germany is a great market with great people and that the league believes its fan base can be built there. He called the new commitment a stepping stone toward that goal.
Daly also said the league wants to continue expanding the presence of NHL games and its business in Europe. He added that the league cannot do everything at once, which is why it is prioritizing Germany as one of the countries it wants to target first in building that fan base.
That matters because the NHL’s European strategy has been increasingly focused on putting real games in front of local fans, not just staging occasional exhibition events. A regular-season schedule gives those markets a more meaningful connection to the league and its players.
Three German cities, three different showcases
The upcoming stretch begins in 2026, when Düsseldorf will host the 2026 NHL Global Series Germany on Dec. 18 and Dec. 20 at PSD Bank Dome. That gives Germany two regular-season games next season and keeps the league’s footprint active in the country.
In 2027, the NHL will expand further with first-time game sites in Munich and Cologne. Munich will host a pair of games at SAP Garden featuring the Boston Bruins and Munich native JJ Peterka against an opponent to be determined. Cologne will host a set of games at Lanxess Arena featuring the Edmonton Oilers and Cologne native Leon Draisaitl against an opponent to be determined.
That mix is important. The league is not only returning to Germany, it is also spreading its games across multiple cities and highlighting German players in Peterka and Draisaitl. For a growing market, that is a strong way to build local interest.
A partnership beyond the rink
FC Bayern Munich executive Rouven Kasper called the NHL the best ice hockey league in the world and described the deal as a strategic partnership that will benefit both sides. He said it is intended to support the development of the NHL in Germany while also strengthening FC Bayern’s presence and reach in North America.
Leon Draisaitl said the cooperation sends a huge message for Germany and the NHL. Alphonso Davies, who also spoke about the partnership, said FC Bayern is the absolute flagship when it comes to sports, especially football, and added that ice hockey and football share a lot in terms of the energy around the fans.
For the NHL, the message is straightforward: Germany is no longer just a destination for occasional events. It is becoming a more consistent part of the league’s international schedule, with Munich and Cologne joining Düsseldorf in a three-season plan that shows real commitment.
