When Amon-Ra St. Brown got a text message in late February from a member of the Detroit Lions communications staff asking him to join a FaceTime call with his mother, he had a feeling something important was coming.

That suspicion proved correct.

During the call, his mother, Miriam Brown, shared the news that the Lions would be playing a regular-season game in Germany in 2026—her home nation.

Speaking in German, she told her son that while he already has many supporters in the United States, his fan base in Germany is also strong and growing. She added that fans there would be thrilled because he and the Lions would be heading to Munich for a game.

Details such as Detroit’s opponent and the exact date of the matchup have not yet been released. Those will be announced later when the full NFL schedule becomes public. Still, for St. Brown, the opportunity already means a great deal.

The Lions have not played an international game in more than ten years, and the franchise has never competed in Germany before. Their most recent overseas appearance came on November 1, 2015, when they faced the Kansas City Chiefs at Wembley Stadium in London. The year before that, Detroit played the Atlanta Falcons at the same venue.

This upcoming matchup will take place at Allianz Arena, the home stadium of FC Bayern Munich.

St. Brown said he has watched videos of games played in Germany and spoken with players who have experienced it firsthand. According to them, the atmosphere created by German fans is incredibly energetic. For him, the chance to step onto that field with his teammates while also having family present makes the moment even more meaningful. Playing football in Germany has been something he has dreamed about since childhood.

Earlier this week, St. Brown attended the NFL’s annual league meetings in Phoenix. A major topic during the meetings was the league’s ongoing effort to expand the sport beyond the United States. He also participated in a private discussion panel focused on football’s international growth.

He said he was eager to attend the event because it offered the chance to speak about the global reach of the game and the role players can have as ambassadors. The receiver highlighted how important international games are for introducing the sport to new audiences.

According to St. Brown, the league’s expansion efforts are beginning to show real results. With games and initiatives now reaching countries such as Germany, France, Mexico, and even new markets like Australia, he believes the NFL is successfully building interest around the world.

St. Brown’s connection to Germany runs deep. His mother grew up in the city of Leverkusen and passed down many aspects of her culture to him and his two brothers. The family regularly traveled to Germany during their childhood, helping them stay closely tied to their heritage.

Because of that background, the receiver speaks fluent German, displays a German flag decal on his helmet, and has organized youth football camps across the country since entering the NFL in 2021.

He believes enthusiasm for the sport in Germany is rising quickly. Even fans who are relatively new to football are eager to learn about the game and follow it closely.

Through his camps and visits, St. Brown said he has personally witnessed that growing interest. He is sometimes recognized by fans in Germany, something he still finds surprising given how dominant soccer is there. Seeing American football jerseys available in sports stores also stands out to him.

For St. Brown, being part of a game played in Germany feels special. He says he is grateful, excited, and proud that the NFL is bringing football to the country—and that he and the Lions will be part of that experience.