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4h ago

NHL to Stage Regular‑Season Games in Munich and Cologne and Partners With FC Bayern

The agreement uses fan events and youth programs to grow hockey in Germany and to boost Bayern’s presence in North America.

Marco Sturm ranks second among German-born NHL players in career goals and points.
Image
Dec 18, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates as he leads teammates back to the bench after scoring a shorthanded goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Dec 18, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (18) (second from left) celebrates his goal with center Morgan Geekie (39) and right wing David Pastrnak (88) during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Overview

  • The NHL and NHLPA announced Thursday that the Boston Bruins will play two regular‑season games at Munich’s SAP Garden and the Edmonton Oilers will play two at Cologne’s Lanxess Arena during the 2027–28 season.
  • The league unveiled a multi‑year strategic partnership with FC Bayern Munich that centers on fan activations, street hockey, youth development and co‑branded content to expand the sport in Germany.
  • Specific opponents, exact dates and ticketing for the Munich and Cologne games have not been released and will be announced at a later date.
  • Organizers emphasized local ties by highlighting Munich native J.J. Peterka with the Bruins and Cologne native Leon Draisaitl with the Oilers, and said the NHL plans to stage regular‑season games in Germany for at least the next three seasons.
  • The move builds on past NHL international events, follows a 2026 Global Series stop in Düsseldorf, and aims to use Bayern’s global brand to deepen German fan engagement and grow Bundesliga‑NHL commercial links.