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FRANKFURT

Millions of NFL fans: How Germany fell in love with American football

American football fans descended on Frankfurt at the weekend to see the NFL in action. The Local was there to ask supporters what they thought about the league coming to Germany.

Published: 13 November 2023 12:28 CET
New England Patriots fans at the game against the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt on Sunday.
New England Patriots fans at the game against the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt on Sunday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Federico Gambarini

On a cold and bright Sunday in Frankfurt, tens of thousands of people donned blue and white shirts and scarves for a football match with a difference.

They were heading to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park for a coveted seat at the second of the National Football League’s (NFL) Frankfurt Games series.

The Indianapolis Colts beat the New England Patriots 10-6 in a nailbiting game that had sold out months earlier in just a few minutes. 

Thousands of fans travelled from the States to see their team play, while American football enthusiasts from all over Germany flocked to Frankfurt. 

READ ALSO: How American football is taking over Frankfurt

Daniel Pflaum, 29, from Munich, is a New York Giants fan but was supporting the New England Patriots.

“I love to see the NFL,” he said. “I also went to some college games in the US. It’s amazing how it’s turned out, that they (the NFL) came here to Germany. Usually there’s no chance that the NFL would come here.”

Jeff Martinez, 40, from New Jersey, said he organised a trip with his two friends to see the game “on foreign soil”.

The lifelong Colts fan said: “I love the energy that came from those who travelled, from those expats that live here and the German citizens who’re excited about American football.”

At the game, fans sang along to songs including Country Roads and Don’t Stop Believin’. They stood up to hear both the American and German national anthems as the flags of the two countries were rolled out on the pitch before kick-off.

Flags are rolled out across the stadium in Frankfurt before the game.

Flags are rolled out across the stadium in Frankfurt before the game. Photo: Rachel Loxton

American fans remarked that the atmosphere was livelier than NFL games in the States. 

Martinez said he was surprised to see how packed the stadium was.

“For a regular season game it was fuller than normal,” he said. “Most stadiums are 70 percent full unless it’s a big rivalry. To see a full stadium full of energy, it makes it feel like you’re in the playoffs during the regular season.” 

The match was part of the NFL’s growth into foreign markets. 

On November 6th, the Kansas City Chiefs won 21-14 against the Miami Dolphins in front of another sold-out crowd at Frankfurt. Last November, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faced the Seattle Seahawks at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

’18 million fans’

There’s a huge demand for the NFL in Germany.

“Germany is one of our four international key markets,” Dr Alexander Steinforth, general manager of the NFL in Germany, told The Local.

Steinforth said from carrying out regular surveys, the NFL estimates they have “around 18 million fans in Germany, and 3.6 (million) of those are avid fans”.

He added: “That’s probably reflective of how big our fan base is in a country that has 82 million people living here.”

Some have speculated that football’s popularity in Germany is down to various factors, including the social aspect of the game and the influence of American culture. There have also been a growing number of NFL players, such as Jakob Johnson, with ties to Germany, plus sport in general is a huge part of German culture. 

Having the NFL in Germany is also a boost to the local economy. 

Restaurants, bars and hotels in Frankfurt city centre were packed out at the weekend, catering to fans from all over. 

“I love Frankfurt, the energy is amazing, the food is phenomenal,” said Martinez. “The nightlife has been pretty cool. And I found it to be more diverse than I thought it was going to be.”

READ ALSO: ‘A megacity on a smaller scale’: An insiders’ guide to Frankfurt

Steinforth said the boost for German cities was something “really important” for the NFL. “And something we spoke to the cities about when we did the host city selection process,” he added.

The Deutsche Bank stadium was transferred for the NFL Frankfurt games.

The Deutsche Bank stadium was transferred for the NFL Frankfurt games. Photo: Rachel Loxton

The Munich game last November generated around €70 million for the city, said Steinforth. It’s estimated that the two games in Frankfurt will contribute more than €100 million to the local economy. 

So will the NFL return to Germany?

There are a couple more games scheduled to be played on German soil in the coming years as part of the current deal.

But Steinforth said fans should expect more in the long-term. 

“We see the reaction, we see the positive momentum and the fan base. And so definitely Germany is on the map in future years as well.”

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SPORT

Where can you go surfing in Germany?

The country may not be known as a surf destination, but that doesn't stop sporty Germans from hanging ten.

Published: 3 July 2024 14:38 CEST
Where can you go surfing in Germany?

There’s no denying that Germany is not your classic surfing destination. 

When German residents want to plan a surf trip for the summer, they’re usually looking at a trip to Portugal, Spain, western France or even further afield.

But really there’s no need to leave to Germany for surfers to be able to “hang ten” (a surfing expression referrign to having ten toes over the edge of the board). 

In fact, Germany has surf spots suitable for surfers of all skill levels. So whether you’re experienced, a novice or even brand new to the sport – as long as you don’t mind a bit of cold water – Germany has got a surf spot for you.

Here’s where you can find some of the best surf spots in Germany.

The North Sea

Known for its sometimes rough and windy seas, the North Sea offers some of the best ocean surfing in Germany – especially on some of the islands that line the coast.

The North Frisian island of Sylt, known to be a beach vacation destination among German elites, is also home to a number of good beaches for surfing. The beaches Samoa, Westerland, or Bühne 16, for example, have been attracting surfers for years. Bühne 16 even boasts its own annual longboard festival, typically held in early September.

Beside Sylt, the islands of Norderney and Borkum also offer good surfing waves in the region.

Peak surf season comes in the chilly fall and winter seasons here, which bring stronger winds and more consistent swell. But surfing is also possible in the summer, and the milder waves and warmer air temperatures make it perhaps a better time for first tries.

North sea surfing

A surfer runs to the water at sunset at the North Sea. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/PA Wire | Owen Humphreys

The Baltic Sea

On the other side of Germany’s northern coast, the Baltic Sea also has its fair share of surf beaches.

Close to Kiel, and within a couple hours drive from Hamburg, are Hohwachter Bucht or Damp 2000.

Moving along the coast toward Lübeck, there is also surfing to be found on Fehmarn Island, and on the nearby beaches of Weissenhäuser or Pelzerhaken.

According to information posted on the Surf Camps Europe website, the Baltic Sea is a bit colder than the North Sea and the waves can be hit or miss, with winds sometimes stirring up choppy but powerless waves.

But when the wind is blowing right, the region gets surfable swells, and it’s a step closer to surfers coming from eastern cities like Berlin.

Note that to surf either in the Baltic or North Seas you’ll want at least a 4/3 wetsuit.

River surfing

Funny enough, Germany’s best-known surf spot isn’t on a beach at all. The Eisbachwelle in Munich is among the best known stationary waves in the world. 

Daring and innovative surfers have been shredding here for decades, reportedly starting on with self-made boards and a tow rope. But the city has only officially tolerated surfing on the wave (at surfers’ own risk) since 2010.

The Eisbachwelle is 12 metres wide and usually about one metre high. But the water runs fast here – only experienced river wave surfers are advised to drop in. Beginners can gain some practice at a smaller wave, downstream at the Raft Landing (Floßlände).

Surfers ride the permanent wave at the Eisbach in the English Garden in Munich. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Peter Kneffel

The popularity of the Eisbachwelle, as both a surfer and tourist destination alike, has inspired other German cities to create surfable river waves of their own.

Nuremberg opened its Fuchslochwelle about five kilometres from the city centre on the Pegnitz river in 2022. Controlled by a dammed weir, the wave height can be adjusted relative to the water level, but it’s generally suitable for beginners.

Another recent addition to the surf scene in southern Germany is the Blackforestwave in Pforzheim – between Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. To access the Blackforestwave on most days, you’ll need to become a member of the local surf club for a monthly subscription fee. But there are also occasional public surf days – the next open surf date will be September 14th.

Finally, opened in 2023, Germany’s newest river wave is the Leinewelle in Hannover. Leinewelle offers memberships for local surfers, but visitors can also book hour sessions as a guest rider. But you’ll need to come with some experience and bring your own board to ride here.

Artificial wave halls

For most city-dwellers, indoor surfing halls with artificial waves may be the nearest place to hop on a board. Artificial waves can also be a good place for beginners to gain a little practice before dropping in on a river wave.

Germany’s biggest indoor surfing facility is Wellenwerk in Berlin, which offers sessions for surfers at all skill levels.

There is also indoor surfing at a facility called Jochen Schweizer near Munich and at Gezeitland in Borkum.

In Langenfeld, you can ride an artificial wave outside on the world’s first stationary wave on a lake. Here you can book lessons or drop in sessions, including a night surf session if you’re driven to get wet after work.

Also in Munich, an outdoor wave pool facility called Surftown is scheduled to open this summer.

Wind-surfing & stand up paddling

Beyond classic wave surfing, board sport enthusiasts can get more time on the water in Germany with wind surfing or on a stand up paddle (SUP) board.

Most of the country’s best windsurfing spots are found along the northern coast, especially on the island of Rügen and at beaches near Lübeck or Kiel or on the island of Sylt. If you’re looking for a place to windsurf, this list of German windsurfing world champion Philip Köster’s favourites, is a good place to start.

On the other hand, if you’re simply looking to hang out on the water, hopping on a SUP allows you to play with balance and build upper body strength or simply float around.

A view of the River Spree in Berlin, including the Molecule Man and TV tower landmarks.

A couple people on SUPs on the River Spree in Berlin. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Christophe Gateau

If you don’t have your own board, you can rent a SUP at river and lakeside locations all around Germany. Try searching ‘SUP Verleih’ (SUP rental) to find one near you.

Berliners who are members of Urban Sports Club can score a free hour rental at the Stand Up Club on the Spree near Funkhaus.

Sections of the Rhine River also make for fun SUP adventures, as do many of Germany’s lakes – such as Chiemsee, Titisee or Steinhuder Meer, for example.

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