NFL fans flock to Munich for Lions-Patriots game
Sunday 15th November 2026 on 17:15 in
Bavaria
Fans from the United States and across Europe have gathered in Munich for Sunday’s NFL game between the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots, BR reports. They are celebrating in beer halls and fan zones, with one group even bringing a bagpipe.
The Hofbräuhaus, a Munich beer hall, has been the Lions’ official fan meeting place since Thursday. A brass band played “Sweet Caroline” as fans in the team’s blue and white sang along. Supporters had travelled from the United States and across Europe, some just for the game.
Under NFL rules for international games, the designated home team can choose an official fan pub. Detroit selected the Hofbräuhaus, following previous choices by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants. The venue’s Tobias Ranzinger said the fans had been peaceful and cheerful, and that Patriots supporters were welcomed too.
Fans gather across the city
At the fan zone on Odeonsplatz, the Lions set up a stage, photo spots and food trucks. Visitors included a Mexican fan wearing a blue-and-white wrestling mask and sombrero, a group of young Italians and supporters from Spain and Germany.
Charlotte, from Frankfurt and a member of the German Lions fan club Lions Pride Germany, had taken part in an NFL quiz rally, bought merchandise and visited the teams’ pubs around the city. She has attended games in the United States, London and Munich. “The main thing is the NFL,” she said.
Max, a Patriots fan from Frankfurt, said the league’s unpredictability appealed to European supporters: “In the NFL, anything can happen. You can be really bad one year and suddenly play in the Super Bowl the next.”
The Patriots’ official pub is the Augustiner Stammhaus on Kaufinger Street. Fans waited outside in near-freezing temperatures, while Scottish supporter Rob Brown played his bagpipe. Brown is part of the Tartan Army, the name used by supporters of Scotland’s national football team. Scottish fans were invited to support the Patriots after cheering at Gillette Stadium, the team’s home stadium, during the 2026 football World Cup.
Supporters for both teams have made their presence felt around Munich. The players are due to take the field at the Allianz Arena on Sunday.