The Detroit Lions will host the New England Patriots in Munich, Germany, on November 15. This marks the Lions' first international game as a home team since 2015.
Key points
Detroit Lions will host New England Patriots in Germany
Game scheduled for November 15 in Munich
Lions' first international game as a home team
Last overseas game for Lions was in 2015
NFL requires teams to play internationally every eight years
Mentioned in this story
Munich
Detroit LionsNew England Patriots
One of the marquee games on the Detroit Lions’ schedule this fall is headed overseas.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) walks onto the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) walks onto the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium.
The Lions are playing overseas for the first time since 2015, and the first time ever as a home team. The NFL requires teams to give up a home date to play internationally at least once every eight years.
Lions president Rod Wood said this spring the team was allowed to protect two of its nine home games from being moved to Germany. The Lions chose division games against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, and three of their other opponents – believed to be the Patriots, New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers –
Q&A
When will the Detroit Lions play the New England Patriots in Germany?
The game is scheduled for November 15 in Munich, Germany.
Is this the first time the Lions are playing overseas?
Yes, this is the Lions' first international game as a home team and their first overseas game since 2015.
Why do NFL teams play international games?
NFL teams play international games to promote the league globally and are required to give up a home date to do so at least once every eight years.
Who are the defending AFC champions the Lions will face?
The Lions will face the New England Patriots, who are the defending AFC champions.
Related Articles
MLB·Recap
Dodgers aren’t cashing in scoring chances, and aren’t creating them either
Dodgers' offensive woes continue as they fail to score runs and capitalize on chances.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports·Feature
How has FSU softball performed in the last five NCAA Tournaments?
A look at FSU softball's journey through the last five NCAA Tournaments.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB
One Stat To Tell the Story of Each Blue Jays Hitter’s Season
Analyzing Key Stats for the Blue Jays Hitters in 2026
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Preview
When can Arsenal win the title? Premier League permutations as Man City take on Crystal Palace
Arsenal can clinch the Premier League title with two wins; City plays Palace soon.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Cricket·Feature
Who is the most-capped player in IPL history? Virat Kohli scripts history during KKR clash
Virat Kohli makes history as the most-capped player in IPL during KKR clash!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Igor Arrieta conquista Potenza en un final de etapa épico y surrealista: hay cambio de 'maglia' en el Giro
Igor Arrieta del UAE Team Emirates-XRG conquista Potenza en el Giro de Italia tras un final épico.
The Patriots, the only non-division team with a winning record in 2025 on the Lions’ home schedule this fall, have international marketing rights in Germany like the Lions.
New England previously played in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2023, when it lost to the Indianapolis Colts, 10-6.
“There’s a number of teams that have marketing rights there, so I was happy that it worked out that we got that market versus one of the other ones that we could have gone to,” Wood said in March. “We’re going to treat it like a pretty big deal from a fan experience standpoint.”
The Lions will host just two playoff teams from last season at Ford Field this fall, their NFC North rivals the Packers and Chicago Bears. They also have home games against the Vikings, Giants, Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans.
Washington Commanders cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) blocks a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the first half at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
Washington Commanders cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) blocks a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the first half at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. on Sunday, November 9, 2025.
The Patriots, who are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for most Super Bowl wins in NFL history with six, went 14-3 and won the AFC East last season under first-year coach Mike Vrabel and with MVP runner-up Drake Maye at quarterback.
The NFL has released a handful of high-profile games in conjunction with its broadcast partners in recent days and will unveil its full 272-game schedule at 8 p.m. Thursday.
