Bayern Munich and NHL announce strategic partnership; four regular-season games scheduled in Munich and Cologne for 2027-28

Published Aug 20, 10:19 AM UTC

On August 20, 2024, FC Bayern Munich and the National Hockey League (NHL) announced a long-term strategic partnership, the NHL's first with a European football club. The collaboration covers content production, co-branded merchandise, fan events, youth programs, and market development in Europe and North America. The NHL also plans to hold four regular-season games in Munich and Cologne during the 2027-28 season. At a press conference, Bayern board member Rowen Casper and NHL Executive Vice President Bill Daly detailed the partnership. In subsequent interviews, NHL star Leon Draisaitl, German ice hockey player JJ Peterka, and Bayern player Alphonso Davies shared their perspectives. Davies highlighted ice hockey's fighting culture as a unique attraction and suggested Joshua Kimmich would be well-suited for the sport. Peterka expressed excitement about playing NHL games in Munich again, while Draisaitl emphasized the positive signal of the partnership for ice hockey's growth in Germany.