Michigan Discussing Kicking Off 2026 Football Season in Germany

Michigan Wolverines Discuss Kicking Off 2026 Football Season in Germany

Published Jul. 25, 2025, 4:11 p.m. online casino taya365 ET

Michigan is currently in talks to kick off the 2026 football season against Western Michigan in Germany philippine march. The university announced on Friday via social media that it is aiming to play at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on August 29, 2026 isyu sa pamilya. This would mark the first time the Wolverines compete outside of North America. 1 pm singapore time to philippine time

Athletic director Warde Manuel shared in a statement that this would represent a “first-of-its-kind opportunity” for both the Wolverines and their fans. “The University of Michigan is one of the few global brands in college athletics, and the interest in playing an international game would be unique,” Manuel emphasized. “This would be a fantastic opportunity to introduce ‘Go Blue’ to a new audience in Germany.”

Deutsche Bank Park, home to Bundesliga’s Eintracht Frankfurt, features a retractable roof and can accommodate up to 55,000 spectators. The stadium has previously hosted five NFL games, including two regular-season matchups in 2023.

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore highlighted their ongoing quest for unique experiences for their players, noting that the program has previously visited Italy, France, and South Africa over the last decade. This matchup would necessitate a rescheduling of Michigan’s home opener, currently set for September 5. “This game would present another opportunity to expand our international fanbase,” Moore stated.

American football has a history of traveling abroad, and this isn’t the first instance of college football venturing overseas. Bowl games and annual Classics have been played internationally since as far back as 1976. For instance, Grambling State triumphed over Morgan State, 42-16, in the Mirage Bowl held in Tokyo, Japan. Grambling also returned to Tokyo in 1977, overcoming Temple with a score of 35-32.

The Mirage Bowl was an annual event in Japan until 1993, featuring powerhouse teams like Notre Dame, Miami, Nebraska, USC, Oregon, and Clemson. It was succeeded by the Coca-Cola Bowl the following year, but this too was discontinued after just two years.

Japan wasn’t the sole destination for NCAA efforts to promote the sport; Dublin, Ireland, has hosted collegiate games as well. The most recent matchup occurred last season, where Georgia Tech upset No. 10 Florida State in Week 0. The first game played in Ireland took place in 1988, featuring Boston College and Army, with Boston College winning 38-24.

The collegiate game has also reached as far as Australia, where Colorado State squared off against Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1987, with BYU emerging victorious 30-26. The Sydney College Football Cup made a comeback in 2016 and 2017, with California defeating Hawai’i 51-21 in 2016, and Stanford overwhelming Rice 62-7 in 2017.

The NFL has also pursued international expansion through its “International Series,” playing regular-season games in Europe, the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Brazil. The inaugural game occurred in 2007 between the New York Giants and the Miami Dolphins. Last season, the NFL played five games in its “International Series,” spanning from Brazil to London and Germany.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

What are your thoughts on Michigan’s potential game in Germany?

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