The National Football League today announced that the Indianapolis Colts will play as the designated team in the first-ever regular-season game in Berlin, as part of the 2025 International Games.

The 2025 NFL Berlin game will be played at the Olympic Stadium as part of a multiyear commitment to playing games in the sports metropolis. The NFL played five American Bowl games at the Olympic Stadium between 1990 and 1994, and it was also home to NFL Europe's Berlin Thunder from 2003-07.

"Germany is an important market for the NFL, with continued growth in fandom and passion for the game," said NFL Germany general manager Alexander Steinforth. "After four successful international games in-market across Munich and Frankfurt, we're thrilled to have the Colts as the designated team for our first-ever regular season game in Berlin in 2025 -- a city that holds so much football history and is a true testament to the international expansion and growth of the league."

"The NFL is making history in Berlin, and the Colts are proud to be part of this landmark event in one of the world's most historic cities," said Colts owner & CEO Jim Irsay. "The NFL has become a global brand, and we're looking forward to growing American football in Germany and expanding Colts Nation's footprint around the world. This game also provides a unique opportunity for our local Indiana partners to engage with German businesses, customers and fans this season and in the future."

"With today's announcement of the Indianapolis Colts as the designated team of the NFL Berlin game, our joint journey with the NFL continues. This announcement is special for many Berliners, as there is a close connection to the team through Björn Werner, our NFL hero and former Colts player," said Senator for the Interior and Sports, State of Berlin Iris Spranger. We look forward to welcoming the Colts to our sports metropolis. It will be a football festival like we have never experienced in Berlin before. For the Colts. For the fans. And as they say in Indianapolis: for the shoe!"

The Colts were granted marketing rights in Germany last April, as part of the league's Global Markets Program -- an initiative that awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events and commercial opportunities.

Beyond the NFL international games, the league is committed to growing the game at every level in Germany, engaging with fans year-round through partners, programs and initiatives. The NFL's Global Market Program sees nine additional teams active in Germany, with some also committed to developing fandom in Austria and Switzerland. NFL Flag -- the NFL's official program for non-contact football -- was also launched in Germany three years ago, with 20,000 young girls and boys participating nationwide, showcasing the league's efforts to increase participation and inspire the next generation as flag football heads toward its debut as an Olympic sport at LA28.

This also means former ELF player Marcel Dabo will return to Germany for the Colts and get to play in a game in front of his friends and family in his home country. 

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