Full Breakdown
NHL to Stage First Regular-Season Games in Munich and Cologne, Launches Multi-Year Partnership with FC Bayern Munich
8/21/2026, 11:20:24 AM
Core Event
The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association announced that the Boston Bruins will play two regular-season games at SAP Garden in Munich and the Edmonton Oilers will play two at Lanxess Arena in Cologne during the 2027-28 season. Opponents and exact dates will be revealed later in the 2026-27 season. The announcement coincided with a multi-year partnership between the NHL and German soccer club FC Bayern Munich to grow hockey in Germany and expand Bayern’s brand in North America.
Background & Context
Germany has hosted NHL regular-season games only sporadically: the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Los Angeles Kings in Berlin in 2011, and a 2024 preseason matchup saw the Sabres beat EHC Red Bull München. The league’s 2026 Global Series will feature the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks in Düsseldorf on Dec. 18 and Dec. 20, 2026. The Munich and Cologne games extend a three-season commitment to bring regular-season contests to Germany. The Bayern partnership, unveiled at the club’s Säbener Straße training facility, includes digital campaigns, street-hockey events, and youth programming.
Data & Statistics
- Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers, Cologne native) – first German player to reach 1,000 career NHL points; 1,053 points in 855 games.
- J.J. Peterka (Boston Bruins, Munich native) – three 20-goal seasons, 92 goals and 105 assists in 320 NHL games.
Official Statements & Responses
Keith Wachtel, President of NHL Business, called the Bayern partnership a “tremendous strategic opportunity” to introduce hockey to new audiences and highlighted Bayern’s global reach.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Germany continues to be one of the NHL’s most important international growth markets, and FC Bayern is among the most recognizable and respected sports brands in the world,” — Keith Wachtel, President, NHL Business
- “The NHL Global Series games in 2027 bring two of the NHL’s best players in Leon Draisaitl and JJ Peterka back to play in front of their hometown fans,” — Marty Walsh, NHLPA executive director
Why It Matters / Impact
The Munich and Cologne fixtures showcase German-developed NHL talent and pair the league with a world-renowned football brand to attract broader audiences, create co-branded merchandise, and deliver community events such as street-hockey clinics. By aligning with Bayern’s fan base, the NHL aims to convert football supporters into hockey fans and expand its European footprint.
Timeline
- June 26 2025: Boston Bruins acquire J.J. Peterka from Utah.
- Nov. 4 2025: Bruins announce upcoming overseas trip for 2027-28 season.
- Aug. 20 2026: Joint press conference in Munich announces the Bayern partnership and the 2027 Global Series games.
- Dec. 18 & 20 2026: Düsseldorf hosts the 2026 Global Series (Ottawa Senators vs. Chicago Blackhawks).
- 2027-28 season: Bruins in Munich; Oilers in Cologne (dates and opponents pending).
What’s Next
Ticketing information and opponent announcements will be released during the 2026-27 regular season. Initiatives under the Bayern partnership will roll out over the next three years, including youth outreach programs, co-branded merchandise, and cross-sport storytelling events to deepen hockey’s presence across Germany.
