Who could the Lions face in Munich? Breaking down Detroit’s most likely 2026 opponents

The Detroit Lions are officially headed to Munich in 2026 as part of the NFL’s International Series, marking the franchise’s first overseas appearance in more than a decade. The game will be played at Allianz Arena, home of FC Bayern, with the date and opponent to be announced when the full NFL schedule is released.

Which team will the Lions face in Munich?

But while the league hasn’t revealed the matchup yet, we already know the Lions’ 2026 home opponents. And that gives us a strong idea of who could be lining up opposite Detroit in Germany.

Because the Lions are the designated home team, the opponent will almost certainly come from this group:

• Chicago Bears
• Green Bay Packers
• Minnesota Vikings
• New Orleans Saints
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• New England Patriots
• New York Jets
• Tennessee Titans
• New York Giants

Some matchups make more sense than others.

Packers or Bears: A rivalry on the global stage

Sending the Green Bay Packers or Chicago Bears to Munich would instantly elevate the event. NFC North games carry built-in intensity, and the league has shown a willingness to export divisional rivalries before.

The downside would be that divisional games are often protected for domestic TV windows because of their playoff implications. That could make the NFL hesitant to move one abroad. Still, a Lions-Packers showdown in Germany would be must-watch.

Patriots: A clean, marketable matchup

The New England Patriots are one of the league’s most recognizable brands internationally. Coming off of a Super Bowl appearance gives them even more global klout, despite losing.

From a scheduling standpoint, this feels plausible. It’s a non-divisional AFC opponent with national recognition and minimal competitive complications. If the NFL wants a safe but attractive option, New England checks the boxes.

Buccaneers or Saints: Balanced and flexible

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints present solid middle-ground choices.

They’re competitive NFC teams but not divisional rivals, which makes exporting the game less disruptive to playoff races. The league often uses this type of matchup for international windows - meaningful but not structurally complicated.

Jets or Giants: Big market appeal

The New York Jets and New York Giants bring New York market gravity. Even if performance fluctuates, the brand weight alone adds interest.

The most likely opponent?

Divisional games are less likely, but not impossible. A high-recognition AFC team such as the Patriots could be the most straightforward solution. An NFC South matchup like Tampa Bay might be the most flexible.

The Lions have invested heavily in the German market, and Munich is expected to function more like a second home than a road trip.

The X-Factor: Amon-Ra St. Brown

Beyond the opponent, the biggest storyline might be Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Lions star wide receiver has deep ties to Germany through his mother, Miriam, who is from Cologne. Detroit has leaned heavily into that connection as part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program, holding youth camps in Germany, launching German-language social accounts, and partnering with Bundesliga side 1. FC Köln.

St. Brown said playing in Germany has been a dream of his since entering the league. Whoever the opponent is, he will be the face of the week. That alone makes this one of the most story-rich international games the NFL has scheduled in years.

2026 NFL international games: Where and who so far

The NFL is expanding its global footprint in a big way for the 2026 season, with a record number of regular‑season games scheduled outside the United States. At least nine international games are confirmed across four continents and seven countries, and more may be announced once the full schedule drops.

Confirmed international locations and known teams

Munich, Germany

• Location: FC Bayern Munich Stadium
• Team: Detroit Lions
• Opponent: To be announced

Mexico City, Mexico

• Location: Estadio Banorte
• Team: San Francisco 49ers
• Opponent: To be announced

London, U.K.

Three games are scheduled to be played in London in 2026

• Location: Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Teams: TBD (multiple matchups expected)

Madrid, Spain

• Location: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
• Teams: TBD (part of a multiyear series in Spain)

Paris, France

• Location: Stade de France
• Team: New Orleans Saints
• Opponent: TBD

Melbourne, Australia

• Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Team: Los Angeles Rams
• Opponent: TBD

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Location: Maracanã Stadium
• Teams: TBD

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