The Detroit Lions are taking their game—and their fanbase—to Germany this fall, as they prepare to host the defending AFC champion New England Patriots in Munich on November 15. The NFL confirmed the matchup on Wednesday, marking a major milestone for the Lions: their first international game since 2015 and their first ever as the designated home team.
This overseas clash is part of the league's rotational policy, requiring every team to give up a home date for international play at least once every eight years. For the Lions, it's a chance to build global momentum—and a unique test on the road, even if they're technically the hosts.
Lions president Rod Wood revealed earlier this spring that the team was allowed to protect two of its nine home games from being moved to Germany. Unsurprisingly, they chose division battles against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. Meanwhile, three other opponents—believed to be the Patriots, New York Giants, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers—actively lobbied the NFL to face Detroit in Munich. The Patriots, notably the only non-division team with a winning record (14-3 in 2025) on Detroit's home slate, hold international marketing rights in Germany, just like the Lions.
New England, under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel and with MVP runner-up Drake Maye at quarterback, is coming off a dominant season that included an AFC East title and a 10-game winning streak. The franchise, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history (six), previously played in Frankfurt in 2023, falling 10-6 to the Indianapolis Colts. This time, they'll look to make a statement on European soil.
For Lions fans, the Germany game means a lighter home schedule at Ford Field this fall. Detroit will host just two playoff teams from last season: NFC North rivals the Packers and Chicago Bears. Other home opponents include the Vikings, Giants, Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans. It's a mix that offers both opportunity and challenge, but the absence of a high-profile non-division winner like the Patriots from the home slate is a notable shift.
"There are a number of teams with marketing rights there, so I was happy it worked out that we got that market versus one of the other options," Wood said in March. "We're going to treat it like a pretty big deal from a fan experience standpoint."
Whether you're gearing up for game day in Munich or cheering from Detroit, this international showdown is shaping up to be one of the season's most talked-about matchups. Stay tuned for more updates as the Lions prepare to take the field—and the world stage.