Michigan seems to be moving a home game in 2026 against Western Michigan to Germany. Yes, Ann Arbor is about 100 miles from Kalamazoo, but they are now moving it to Germany.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan Football program is engaged in ongoing discussions to kick off the 2026 season on foreign soil, playing host to Western Michigan at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, on Saturday, Aug. 29. This non-conference matchup would become the first game played by the Wolverines outside of North America.
Also known as Waldstadion, Deutsche Bank Park is the home field for Eintracht Frankfurt of the Bundesliga, which is the top tier of the German football (soccer) league. The retractable roof stadium has a capacity of 55,000 seats and was opened in 1925. Germany has hosted five previous NFL games in the country, with Deutsche Bank Park hosting two regular-season games during the 2023 season: Kansas City Chiefs 21, Miami Dolphins 14 (Nov. 5) and Indianapolis Colts 10, New England Patriots 6 (Nov. 12).
"We are in advanced discussions to create this first-of-its-kind opportunity for our student-athletes and fans," said Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. "The University of Michigan is one of the few worldwide brands in college athletics and the interest in playing an international game would be unique. This would be a great opportunity to teach 'Go Blue' to a new group of fans in Germany."
"I am excited about the football and educational experience this game could provide for our players," said Sherrone Moore, U-M's J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach. "We are always looking for unique opportunities to expose our student-athletes to other cultures. In the last 10 years, our program has been to Italy, France and South Africa, and this game would provide another chance to grow our international fanbase."
Brett McMurphy is reporting this is a done deal.
I think this is a fun trip for some Michigan fans, but not much more than that. The stadium is half the size of the Big House and steals a home game from season ticket holders.
1 comment:
Absolutely terrible idea. Keep the home games for the fans not TV. Past time for a new AD if this happens. How about a discount on all those PSD to get tickets since there would be fewer games?
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