Indianapolis Colts to host NFL's first regular season game in Berlin

The NFL announced Wednesday that the Indianapolis Colts will play as the designated team in the league’s first regular season game in Berlin, as part of the 2025 International Games.

Wir kommen zurück nach Deutschland!

Next season we are excited to host the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Berlin! 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/jIuRvqjUDK

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 15, 2025

The game will be played at Olympic Stadium, which previously played host to five American Bowl games from 1990-94 and was the home to NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder from 2003-07. An opponent, game date and kickoff time will be announced during the 2025 NFL schedule reveal this spring.

“Germany is an important market for the NFL, with continued growth in fandom and passion for the game,” NFL Germany general manager Alexander Steinforth said. “After four successful international games in-market across Munich and Frankfurt, we’re thrilled to have the Colts as the designated team for our first-ever regular season game in Berlin in 2025 — a city that holds so much football history and is a true testament to the international expansion and growth of the league.”

Indianapolis has taken part in two games outside the United States — London and Frankfurt. The Colts were granted marketing rights in Germany last April, as part of the league’s Global Markets Program, per the NFL’s release.

“The NFL is making history in Berlin, and the Colts are proud to be part of this landmark event in one of the world’s most historic cities,” Colts owner & CEO Jim Irsay said. “The NFL has become a global brand, and we’re looking forward to growing American football in Germany and expanding Colts Nation’s footprint around the world. This game also provides a unique opportunity for our local Indiana partners to engage with German businesses, customers and fans this season and in the future.”

NFL announces Jets, Browns, Jaguars will play games in London during 2025 season

Beginning in 2025, the NFL can schedule up to eight international games per season. The league announced last Friday that the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars will each play international games in London during the 2025 regular season. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will host both the Jets and Browns, while Wembley Stadium will play host to the Jaguars.

London has been a fixture on the schedule since the inaugural game in the U.K.’s capital in 2007. The league has since expanded to other countries, hosting five games in Mexico, three in Germany and the first in Brazil — 2024 Week 1 between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles.

Next season, it’s Spain’s turn. Two teams will play at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to soccer giants Real Madrid.