The NFL continues its popular International Series in 2022 and will play its first game in Germany this upcoming season with the Tampa Bay Bucs hosting a home game at FC Bayern Munich Stadium in Munich. In the 2022 season, the NFL will export five games aboard including three matches in London in the United Kingdom, and one games each in Mexico and Germany.
The Jacksonville Jaguars typically play one of their home games in the United Kingdom every season, which is why they’ve been dubbed the London Jaguars. With London as a secondary home base for the Jaguars, there’s been rampant rumors and speculation that owner Shad Khan will relocate the team to the UK at some point in the future.
The actual opponents, dates and kickoff times have yet to be released by the NFL. Stay tuned for an official announcement when the NFL releases schedules for every team.
Packers, Saints, Jags in London
The NFL resumed with two London games in the 2021 season after suspending games aboard in 2020 due to the pandemic.
In the upcoming season, there will be three NFL games in London. The Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints will each be a home team for games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Jacksonville Jaguars will host a home game in London at historic Wembley Stadium.
“We have a great lineup of teams coming to the UK and Germany this year,” said Brett Gosper, NFL Head of Europe and UK. “Having the Packers become the 32nd team to play in London is tremendously exciting for the fans and a great sign of the League’s commitment to international games. The Saints have been long-time supporters of the UK, having volunteered to be the home team in the second year of London games in 2008, and the Jaguars are looking forward to a return to Wembley.”
The Saints are 2-0 in London games and look to continue their perfect record in the UK. They are one of six NFL teams that have an undefeated record with at least two wins. The New England Patriots are 3-0 in the International Series and boast the best record in the NFL when playing abroad.
The Jaguars played eight games in the UK, so this year will mark their ninth sojourn across the pond. The Jags are 4-4 in games in London.
NFL Finally Reaches Germany
The NFL has been trying to make an inroad to Germany for the last couple of decades. Although they have yet to play a game on German soil, Germany had been the home to NFL Europe teams including the Frankfurt Galaxy who were a part of the inaugural season in 1991.
The NFL Europe later expanded to include the Berlin Thunder, Rhein Fire, Cologne Centurions, and Hamburg Sea Devils.
“We are very excited to have a recent Super Bowl champion in the Buccaneers playing in Munich and thank them for ensuring that it will be a memorable launch of our series of games in Germany,” added Gosper.
After careful consideration, the NFL selected Munich as the location for the first-ever pro football game in Germany. The Tampa Bay Bucs will get the honor to defend the home turf at FC Bayern Munich Stadium.
NFL Returns to Mexico City
The NFL will also return to Mexico in 2022. The Arizona Cardinals will host a home game at Estad Azteca in Mexico City. It will be the first international game for the Cardinals since 2005, when they appeared in the first-ever game in Mexico.
“In 2005 when the Cardinals hosted the first NFL regular season game played outside the United States, we experienced first-hand the extraordinary support and incredible passion of our fans in Mexico,” said Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill. “We know that has increased exponentially in the years since and are thrilled to return to Mexico City and Estadio Azteca in 2022.”
In 2005, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the first ever game hosted outside of the USA. Estadio Aztec hosted the game with the Cardinals as the home team. It was dubbed “NFL Futbol Americano” and it set the attendance record for 103,467 fans.
Three other games were played in Mexico City since 2016. However, there was a snafu in 2018. The NFL did not like the poor field conditions at Estadio Azteca and the game between the LA Rams and Kansas City Chiefs was relocated to the LA Coliseum. In 2019, the NFL returned to Mexico City with the LA Chargers hosting the Kansas City Chiefs.