Global football? A flourishing NFL future for Germany
The world's best football league has made itself at home in the luxury Steigenberger Hotel. Numerous rooms in the heart of Frankfurt have been temporarily transformed into NFL offices and an entire floor has been rented for the spectacle with two season games.
League boss Roger Goodell enjoys all the festivities in the Main metropolis and even signed the city's Golden Book. "We will not say goodbye to the markets that have been important for our growth. And Germany was crucial to our growth," said Goodell in an interview with the German Press Agency.
Just one year after the premiere in Munich, the double-header, which was favored by a Mexico cancellation, shows that the NFL has established itself in Germany. In 2024, the game will be played again in the Allianz Arena, and in 2025 once more in Frankfurt. It is certain that it will continue after that. "We had interest in other cities in Germany," reported Goodell. "The first time we came to Germany, we came to Berlin in 1990. That was a friendly game, now we're talking about games in the regular season. There's no question that a game like that in Berlin could be successful."
Mahomes: "We really felt the love"
Goodell and his organizing team are keen to have big names play in Germany. And they succeed. Last year, legend Tom Brady played, this time Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs came with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. And those involved are delighted with the experience. "The fans were loud and passionate. They understand the game. It was great for the NFL to give us this opportunity. I'd be happy to play here again," Mahomes said last Sunday after the 21-14 win in the top game against the Miami Dolphins.
The 28-year-old is currently the face of the league. When he found out about the guest appearance in Frankfurt, however, he was briefly crestfallen: Mahomes would have preferred to play in Munich, where Chiefs partner FC Bayern is based. But the Frankfurt experience did not disappoint him. "It was a breathtaking experience. I saw red everywhere, all over the city. We really felt the love," said Mahomes, who doesn't just want to come back to Germany for the sport. He can also well imagine visiting sponsors or a family trip with his wife Brittany and children. He would also like to play in Munich again, the quarterback hinted.
Super Bowl outside the USA?
The NFL is booming, especially in Germany. The league could have sold millions of tickets for the two Frankfurt games this November. The game between former champions New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts next Sunday (3.30 pm/RTL and DAZN) was also sold out immediately. The atmosphere is excellent - and completely different to what we are used to in Germany. Separation of fans, cheering or pyrotechnics? There was none of that at the football match. Instead, the game felt like a big festival for the football family, who enjoyed the sport and the lavish supporting program.
The regular season has arrived in Europe - regular football has been played in the UK for much longer. But what about the Super Bowl, which will be held in Las Vegas on February 11, 2024? "We have already discussed holding the Super Bowl in other countries. There is not much support for this idea at the moment. But we're not ruling it out for the future. Especially if we have international franchises," said Goodell.
This is even "more likely" than holding the playoffs in the USA. The league boss directly assured that there will be more international games in the future: "We will do it. We will clearly expand our series to new markets. It's more a question of where we go first." The success of the games in London and Germany had attracted the attention of other countries. "There are other markets that want to host these Games and we are actively exploring this."
The Kansas City Chiefs, led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, brought the excitement of American Football to Frankfurt, delighting local fans and expressing their desire to return. In the NFL's pursuit of big-name games in Germany, the Chicago Bears are also expected to play, showcasing the league's commitment to expanding its presence in Europe.
Source: www.dpa.com
