November 11 – The Bundesliga and NFL have expanded the partnership between the two leagues, maintaining their four-year relationship that has become an important part of the German league’s American ambitions.
The memorandum of understanding will include renewed marketing, digital projects, content, fan events and the exchange of operational knowledge between the two organizations.
The leagues have already combined in crossover projects, while Germany has in turn become a major foreign market for the NFL.
Over the past four years, five regular-season NFL games have been hosted at Bundesliga stadiums, with games played in Munich, Frankfurt and Berlin.
“The renewal of our MOU with the NFL is a fundamental step in the Bundesliga’s continued expansion in the United States,” said Steffen Merkel, CEO of the Bundesliga.
“This partnership not only deepens the connection between the NFL and the Bundesliga, but also plays a key role in our overall growth strategy in the North American market.”
The Bundesliga has also used NFL events to give its former players and clubs more exposure in the United States. Former Bayern Munich defender Rafinha joined former New England Patriots players Brian Hoyer and Sebastian Vollmer in a watch party in 2025, while Borussia Dortmund’s Patrick Owomoyela announced a Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick earlier this year.
Claudio Pizarro and Roman Weidenfeller represented the Bundesliga in the last two Super Bowls in New Orleans and San Francisco.
Ballon d’Or winner and Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane also has close ties to the NFL, where he has spoken at length about his desire to one day become a kicker in the league. Now with the world’s best award under his arm, it would be hard to deny him.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said: “The partnership between the NFL and the Bundesliga demonstrates the value of bringing together two of the world’s biggest sports leagues.
“By expanding our collaboration, we can continue to learn from each other, create new experiences for fans and explore innovative ways to grow our sports in Germany, the United States and around the world.”
The Bundesliga has a 17-year relationship in the US with Relevent Sports, covering media rights, marketing, sponsorship, content and grassroots activity.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at (email protected)
