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Berlin Hosts First NFL Regular-Season Game on Sunday: Colts vs. Falcons

Heavy investment plus citywide programming test the NFL’s footprint in a market still described as niche.

Overview

  • Kickoff is 15:30 on November 9 at the Olympiastadion, live on RTL with streaming via RTL+, with additional coverage on DAZN, and Berlin is also scheduled to host NFL games in 2027 and 2029.
  • Fan access extends beyond the stadium with the NFL Experience at the Brandenburg Gate, a Colts FanZone at Potsdamer Platz, and an RTL watchparty for over 2,000 fans at the Uber Eats Music Hall featuring tailgating and guest appearances.
  • Public funding includes €12.5 million from the Berlin Senate for three games through 2029, while the NFL pledges roughly €50 million through 2029 for initiatives such as flag football and school programs, with organizers citing prior host-city visitor spending estimates of €80–100 million per game.
  • The league touted one million ticket requests, yet the game did not sell out immediately as high prices—reported as low-end options around €185 to €250—discouraged some buyers, according to local commentary.
  • Despite rising audiences estimated at 3–4 million regular viewers in Germany, experts call American football a niche sport and warn that domestic competitions like the GFL and ELF/EFA face ongoing structural and financial strain.