The National Football League’s first-ever regular season international game in Germany was a success beyond the stadium in both economic and social impact, as the National Football League shared the results of their “2022 NFL Munich Game Impact Assessment” report.
The study, compiled by The Sports Consultancy Group, confirmed that the game generated a total economic impact of 70.2 million euros for the City of Munich (approx. 77.5 million USD), with 32.2 million euros in direct spending (approx. 35.5 million USD).
The historic game, played on Nov. 13, 2022, at Allianz Arena, home of FC Bayern Munich, saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Seattle Seahawks, 21-16.
“The Munich game was a significant moment for the NFL in Germany and one that will live in the minds of those in the stadium and those who watched the game from around the world for many years to come,’ said Dr. Alexander Steinforth, GM NFL Germany. “The economic and social impact generated from our first regular season game is impressive and underlines the positive contribution the game had on the City of Munich and beyond, and we look ahead to playing future games in the country in the coming years.”
A crowd of thousands of people wait in front of the stadium prior to NFL match between Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president, club business, major events and international:
“The results of the ‘2022 Munich Game Impact Assessment’ report confirm what a fantastic success the game was in Munich. We are grateful to the City of Munich, State of Bavaria, Bayern Munich, Allianz Arena and the participating NFL teams in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks for their partnership in delivering this historic game for the fans in the stadium and viewers around the world, and a legacy that will live well beyond.”
NFL fans spent on average 333 euros per day in Munich during game weekend, significantly higher than the average Munich visitor spend of 225 euros per day.
A global audience of 8.2 million watched the game around the world. It was NFL Network’s most-watched international game on record in the United States with more than 5.8 million viewers (does not count OTA viewing in Tampa and Seattle), and broke game day merchandise records as sales at the Allianz Arena were the highest-ever recorded for an NFL game outside of the US.
Ahead of the game the NFL delivered a series of events and activities in partnership with the City of Munich to engage local communities. A school NFL Flag Football program was introduced nationwide, giving more than 4,000 youngsters the opportunity to play the game across Germany, many for the first time. The program was delivered in 153 school classes between May and November 2022 and has continued in 2023 as NFL Flag football grows across the country.
AP Photo/Matthias Schrader
Germany’s first NFL Flag Football National tournament also took place in Munich in the week leading up to game day, with more than 300 young athletes from 12 schools in five cities (Düsseldorf, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg) participating. The team from Frankfurt won the tournament and travelled to the 2023 Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas to participate in the NFL Flag International Division.
“It was an honor to welcome the National Football League to Munich for the first regular season game played in Germany, and we are delighted with the economic and social impact, particularly with our tourism and hospitality industries,” added the mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter. “The event allowed us to showcase our beautiful and vibrant city to thousands of visitors from around the world while ensuring residents from the City of Munich were also able to experience this great NFL event.”
The 2023 season will see two regular-season games played in Germany, with the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots confirmed as designated teams. Opponents, dates and locations for these games will be announced ahead of the full schedule later this month.
Any German schools interested in participating in the NFL Flag football program for 2023 can apply by visiting www.nflflag.de