An American icon in the skies: Goodyear Blimp visits NFL game in Munich

The Goodyear Blimp is a familiar sight in the skies above both college and NFL games in the U.S.

However, now, for the first time, it will fly over a game in Europe when this icon of international sports events flies by the Allianz Arena in Munich for the NFL game this Sunday, November 10 between the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers.

Almost 70,000 fans are expected to be in attendance and, if they can take their eyes off the action on the field, they’ll see the Goodyear Blimp in the skies above the stadium. It will be the first time the Goodyear Blimp has been to a professional American football game in Europe.

The Goodyear Blimp has been Goodyear’s aerial ambassador for almost a century. In 1955, it pioneered the practice of live aerial video coverage for events like the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl college football game. Since then, the Goodyear Blimp has been a permanent fixture at American Football events and other high profile global events: the sight of the Goodyear Blimp gliding into position above the stadium is often a signal that the main event is about to begin. For spectators in the stadium, the Blimp adds an extra layer of excitement to the game day experience. As it hovers above, fans often take a moment to snap photos or simply marvel at its presence.

Today, a fleet of three identical Goodyear Blimps, which are actually semi-rigid airships built by German manufacturer Zeppelin, operates across the U.S., with bases in California, Florida and Ohio. Between them, they cover around 200 events each year.

A popular sight at sporting events on both sides of the Atlantic 

Returning to Europe, a fourth Goodyear Blimp was introduced in 2020 initially based in Friedrichshafen and now mainly based in Essen/Mülheim Airport. It has flown over the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s most prestigious endurance race for which Goodyear is an exclusive tire supplier, for the past five years, providing a truly special viewpoint for guests and VIPs.

In recent years, this Goodyear Blimp has also flown over major European cities including London, Milan, Warsaw and Copenhagen as well as rounds of other Goodyear-supported motorsport series like the FIA World Endurance Championship and British Touring Car Championship. For Sunday’s game, the Blimp route may be adjusted or cancelled based on weather forecast.

The largest airships in the skies today 

All four airships in the fleet are of an identical model, the largest of its kind in the world today, measuring 75 meters long, 19.5 meters wide and 17.4 meters high. Their total volume is 8,425 m3, filled with helium, a non-flammable gas used in all modern airships for maximum safety. Each Goodyear Blimp is powered by three 200 hp engines, allowing for a maximum speed of 125 km/h and a range of 1,000 km.

They typically fly following major roads and highways to a maximum altitude of 3,000 meters, allowing a ground crew to follow below and provide navigation and communication assistance. When at the event, the Goodyear Blimp is able to ‘park’ in the sky completely still making it the perfect platform for capturing live television footage from the best seat in the house with less interference and disruption than a helicopter.

Sonia Leneveu, Marketing Director Goodyear in EMEA:

“As a proud American global brand with decades of association with American football, Goodyear is thrilled to have the Goodyear Blimp flying over a professional American football game in Europe for the first time. This Sunday, it will bring a slice of the American sporting experience to the tens of thousands of fans at Allianz Arena in Munich.”