NHL Announces Germany Expansion with FC Bayern Partnership and 2027 Global Series Games in Munich and Cologne

The NHL has announced two major developments tied to its Germany growth strategy: a multiyear partnership with FC Bayern Munich and the first-ever NHL regular season games in Munich and Cologne as part of the 2027 NHL Global Series Germany.

The FC Bayern partnership, unveiled at the club's S bener Stra e training facility with German NHL players Leon Draisaitl and JJ Peterka and FC Bayern's Alphonso Davies in attendance, is focused on growing hockey in Germany and expanding FC Bayern's presence in North America. Planned initiatives include digital and social media campaigns, co-branded content and merchandise, street hockey events in Munich, watch parties, matchday activations at Allianz Arena, youth programming, hospitality experiences, player appearances, and community engagement events.

Separately, the NHL and NHLPA announced that during the 2027-28 season, the Boston Bruins will play two games at SAP Garden in Munich and the Edmonton Oilers will play two games at Lanxess Arena in Cologne. The 2027 games will be the fourth through seventh NHL regular season games played in Germany. Additional details including ticketing and opponents will be announced during the 2026-27 season.

Germany continues to be one of the NHL's most important international growth markets, and FC Bayern is among the most recognizable and respected sports brands in the world, says Keith Wachtel, President, NHL Business. By combining the NHL's passion for hockey with FC Bayern's extraordinary reach and connection to fans, we have a tremendous strategic opportunity to introduce more people to our game, deepen engagement with existing fans and create unique experiences.

FC Bayern is renowned for constantly breaking the mould - and we are very excited about this special partnership with the NHL. By developing ideas together with one of the most tradition-steeped leagues in world sport, the connection of our respective regions will create unique synergies on a wide variety of levels, in sports and beyond. We are creating a platform that promises long-term value for both partners and sets a new benchmark in terms of what cross-sport collaborations can achieve, says Rouven Kasper, Board Member and CMO, FC Bayern.

There is no better way to experience the speed, skill and excitement of NHL hockey than live and in person. The National Hockey League is thrilled to bring our first-ever regular season games to the passionate fans in Munich and Cologne, says Bill Daly, Deputy Commissioner, NHL. These events represent an important step in our commitment to grow the game in Germany. By bringing more NHL games to one of Europe's most dynamic hockey markets, we hope to continue to deepen engagement amongst our fans, partners and local communities, while at the same time creating a significant opportunity to grow the game throughout the country.

The NHL Global Series games in 2027 bring two of the NHL's best players in Leon Draisaitl and JJ Peterka back to play in front of their hometown fans, says Marty Walsh, Executive Director, NHLPA. Germany has a proud hockey tradition, and these NHL Global Series games are part of the League and NHLPA's ongoing commitment to build meaningful connections between NHL players and the German marketplace.

Leon Draisaitl, an Edmonton Oilers forward and Cologne native, is the highest-scoring German player in NHL history. In 2025-26 he became the first German player to record 1,000 career NHL points and captained Germany to a sixth-place finish at the 2026 Olympics, leading the team with seven points in five games.

JJ Peterka, a Boston Bruins forward and Munich native, has topped 20 goals in three of his four full NHL seasons. At 24, he has played 320 career NHL games, scoring 92 goals and adding 105 assists. He contributed one goal and three assists for Germany at the 2026 Olympics.

The NHL and NHLPA will bring regular season games to Germany for at least the next three seasons, beginning with the 2026 NHL Global Series Germany on December 18 and 20 at PSD Bank Dome in D sseldorf, featuring the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/08/20/nhl-announces-germany-expansion...
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