Germany is preparing to become one of the main stages for the NHL’s international expansion. The North American ice hockey league will bring four regular-season games to the country in 2027, with two games in Munich and two in Cologne. The initiative expands the competition’s presence beyond the United States and Canada and follows a strategy that other major North American sports leagues, such as the NBA and NFL, have pursued in recent years to reach new audiences and markets.
The move will also have a commercial component. The NHL has signed a multi-year partnership with FC Bayern, the reigning Bundesliga champions, to jointly develop initiatives aimed at strengthening their presence in Germany and North America. The agreement includes the league supporting the Bavarian club in its expansion into the North American market, where it already has a joint venture with Los Angeles FC, while Bayern will help the NHL connect with German fans and create new experiences around the games to be played in the country.
NHL and FC Bayern join forces to grow in their markets
The partnership is particularly significant in Munich, where the Boston Bruins will play two games at the SAP Garden in 2027. The NHL and Bayern will work together on different experiences linked to these games, taking advantage of the visibility generated by the presence of a historic franchise in a city with a strong sporting identity. There is also a particular connection between the Bruins and the Bavarian capital: JJ Peterka, one of the franchise’s key players, was born in Munich and is part of a new generation of German players competing in the league.
For the NHL, Germany has become one of the priority markets within its international strategy. Keith Wachtel, president of NHL Business, highlighted FC Bayern’s global recognition and the potential of the collaboration to bring hockey to new audiences, strengthen relationships with existing fans and develop experiences around the sport. For the German club, meanwhile, the partnership represents another avenue for advancing its international expansion, particularly in North America, where Bayern already has a presence through its partnership with Los Angeles FC.
Munich and Cologne prepare to welcome the NHL
The NHL’s international program will also make a second stop in Cologne, where the Edmonton Oilers will play two regular-season games at the Lanxess Arena. The choice of this franchise adds another element of connection with the local audience, as the Oilers have Leon Draisaitl, one of Germany’s biggest hockey stars, on their roster. Born in Cologne, his presence could turn the games into a meeting point between local fans and one of the country’s leading sporting figures.
The four games scheduled for 2027 will allow the NHL to establish a presence in two of Germany’s major sporting centers. In Munich, the Bruins will play at the modern SAP Garden, while in Cologne the Oilers will take the ice at the Lanxess Arena, a venue accustomed to hosting major international events and the site of the EHF Champions League Final Four. Through this combination of official games, local players and commercial partnerships, the NHL aims to build a deeper presence in Germany and capitalize on existing interest in ice hockey to expand its fan base.
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