Insights into the NFL scene in Germany - German spectators deserve more.
Picture this: The German Football League organizes a Bundesliga match abroad. Which teams would they pick? Darmstadt and Bochum? To be honest, there could be more exciting representatives for advertising. But this is precisely what has happened in football...
On November 10, the Carolina Panthers will play the New York Giants in Munich. The Panthers (2 wins/15 losses) had the worst record in the league last season. And the Giants (6 wins/11 losses) might have only caught the attention of die-hard fans.
German football fans deserve better. Over the past few years, they've consistently delivered!
► In 2022, 70,000 fans gathered in Munich to witness the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Seattle Seahawks 21-16. Tom Brady (46), a football legend, raved about the fans afterward, calling it "epic" and an experience that would be etched in their memories for a lifetime.
˚ In 2023, Germany even hosted two games because Mexico had to forfeit their match due to stadium renovations. In Frankfurt, the Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs (led by megastar Patrick Mahomes), squared off against the Miami Dolphins - Mahomes won 21-14.
According to his coach Andy Reid (65), it was the fans who clinched the game! Reid: "The crowd was incredible. The fans won us the game!"
► And even in the second Frankfurt game in 2023, a dull 6-10 (roughly like a 0-0 in soccer) between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots, the stadium was packed, and every moderately successful play was met with raucous cheers.
Capacity crowds and tens of thousands of fans wearing NFL jerseys created an extraordinary atmosphere. Not even the most talented marketing executive at the NFL headquarters in New York could have dreamt up better games for Europe. But this year's appreciation goes to the average fare in football.
So why is this the case? While games in Europe present challenges for NFL teams and planners, like the stress of traveling, time difference, and lack of a home game - it's not always a recipe for top clubs' participation. However, both European games in 2024 will feature superior teams.
Germany's NFL manager, Dr. Alexander Steinforth, still praises the matchups enthusiastically: "German NFL fans can look forward to top-notch football and entertainment for the third consecutive year." What else could he say? He can only market what's been handed down from the league's bosses in the US. Not in Steinforth's Düsseldorf office.
If the major event doesn't take place this year, though, and ticket sales aren't as rapid as before, this would certainly be noticed in the US.
On the other hand, German sports fans are more likely to snap up the pricy tickets (on sale from summer for 75-230 euros) in a matter of hours and create an atmosphere that will leave the players' memories filled with joy for years to come.
However, in 2025, the Germans (once again in Frankfurt) should receive a top-tier match - and not be treated as secondary!
Read also:
- Leipzig battles for top attacker Sesko.
- Tim Schreiber, victor in Bayern, joins Dresden's team.
- Uncovering the dietary guidelines of an 96-year-old celebrity.
- Gladbach's key players in their title pursuit!
Source: symclub.org
