NHL Partners With FC Bayern Munich, Announces 2027 Global Series Games in Germany

The National Hockey League is making its most concerted push into the European market to date, anchoring its international strategy with a first-of-its-kind partnership with German soccer powerhouse FC Bayern Munich. Unveiled at Bayern's Säbener Straße training facility, the multi-year agreement aims to accelerate the growth of ice hockey in Germany while simultaneously expanding the soccer club's footprint in North America.[1][2]

The cross-sport collaboration will feature a wide array of fan-focused initiatives, including digital and social media campaigns, co-branded merchandise, and youth outreach programs. The NHL and FC Bayern plan to host street hockey events in Munich, matchday activations at the 75,000-seat Allianz Arena, and joint player appearances designed to introduce the sport to new audiences.[1]

Coinciding with the partnership, the NHL and the NHL Players' Association announced that the 2027 Global Series will feature four regular-season games in Germany. During the 2027-28 season, the Boston Bruins will play a two-game set at Munich's SAP Garden, while the Edmonton Oilers will play two games at Cologne's Lanxess Arena.[3][6]

The locations were chosen to honor two of the NHL's most prominent German stars. Bruins forward JJ Peterka will return to play in front of his hometown fans in Munich, while Oilers superstar Leon Draisaitl—the highest-scoring German player in NHL history—will skate in his native Cologne.[1][5]

Draisaitl, who has amassed over 1,000 career NHL points, expressed immense pride in the league's commitment to his home country. "This is something very special; I believe we have a lot of potential in Germany," Draisaitl said during the announcement. "People here love ice hockey. The fact that the NHL and FC Bayern are establishing this cooperation sends a huge message."[1][5]

The partnership capitalizes on a unique cultural exchange between the two sports. Alphonso Davies, the Canadian soccer star who plays left-back for FC Bayern Munich, grew up in Edmonton and remains a passionate Oilers fan. Davies joined Draisaitl and Peterka at the press conference, participating in cross-sport trivia and highlighting the natural synergy between the athletes.[4][5]

For FC Bayern, the alliance offers a strategic avenue to deepen its connection with North American sports fans. Rouven Kasper, FC Bayern's board member for marketing and sales, noted that collaborating with one of the world's premier sports leagues creates a platform that promises long-term value for both organizations, setting a new benchmark for what cross-sport partnerships can achieve.[2][4]

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly emphasized that Germany is currently one of the league's highest priorities for international growth. Acknowledging the country's population of 83 million and its passionate sporting culture, Daly stated that the NHL is committed to building a lasting presence in the region.[1][5]

The league's commitment to Germany extends beyond the 2027-28 season. The NHL has guaranteed regular-season games in the country for at least three consecutive years, beginning with the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks facing off in Düsseldorf on December 18 and 20, 2026.[3]

Looking further ahead, NHL executives are already exploring even grander spectacles. When asked about the possibility of hosting an outdoor NHL game in Germany—potentially at Bayern's iconic Allianz Arena—Daly confirmed that the idea is firmly on the league's radar for the future, noting that "the sky's the limit" for hockey's European expansion.[1][6]