Story perspectives

Patriots Face Toughest Start, Travel to Munich

5/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Patriots open the 2026 season on September 9 at Seattle’s Lumen Field.
Their first four games feature three division winners and a Week 4 clash with the Buffalo Bills, the toughest start since 1986.
Seven of 11 games are away, totaling 27,590 travel miles, which includes a Week 10 trip to Munich to face Detroit Lions.
Weeks 12-15 pit Patriots against Chargers, Bills, Vikings and Chiefs, with stakes that must be survived to repeat as AFC East champions.

History

Historical Context

On Oct 2 2005 the Arizona Cardinals beat the San Francisco 49ers at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca before a record 103,467 spectators, the NFL’s first regular-season game outside the United States. The success spurred the league’s International Series, beginning with London games in 2007, and now the New England Patriots will travel to Munich to face the Detroit Lions in Week 10 of the 2026 season.

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Story summary

The Patriots open the 2026 season on September 9 at Seattle’s Lumen Field.
Their first four games feature three division winners and a Week 4 clash with the Buffalo Bills, the toughest start since 1986.
Seven of 11 games are away, totaling 27,590 travel miles, which includes a Week 10 trip to Munich to face Detroit Lions.
Weeks 12-15 pit Patriots against Chargers, Bills, Vikings and Chiefs, with stakes that must be survived to repeat as AFC East champions.

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