Buccaneers fans prepare for their team’s football game by cheering and chanting “Go Bucs” as fans from all over the world walk towards Allianz Arena. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in a first of its kind game in Munich, Germany.
PHOTO GALLERY: NFL Fans Celebrate First Regular Season Game in Germany
The Tampa Bay Bucs beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-16 on Sunday, Nov. 13, but the football that happened on the field is not what will go down in history from that day. Instead, history books will remember this game as the first regular season NFL game ever played in Germany.
Under a beautiful Bavarian sun in Munich, fans from around the world gathered for a special tailgating party the league organized. On the menu: football challenges, food, drinks, and, more than anything, beaming smiles.
A Seattle Seahawks fan dances in front of the DJ booth during the Fan Fest at the NFL football game in Munich, Germany. Fans flocked to Allianz Arena to watch the Seahawks play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.
Buccaneers fans prepare for their team’s football game by cheering and chanting “Go Bucs” as fans from all over the world walk towards Allianz Arena. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in a first of its kind game in Munich, Germany.
Buccaneers fans prepare for their team’s football game by cheering and chanting “Go Bucs” as fans from all over the world walk towards Allianz Arena. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in a first of its kind game in Munich, Germany.
Buccaneers fans prepare for their team’s football game by cheering and chanting “Go Bucs” as fans from all over the world walk towards Allianz Arena. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in a first of its kind game in Munich, Germany.
A group of Tom Brady fans smile as they prepare to perform their drum line cadences. The group plays as a drum line to garner spirit for other fans prior to games.
Two fans walk to NFL Fan Fest in identical Tom Brady jerseys. Brady jerseys were legion at Allianz Arena as the legendary quarterback plays his returning season after a short retirement in the spring.
Allianz Arena welcomed fans into the stadium with banners, 3-foot-tall football helmets and a fan fest that included DJs and food vendors. The fan fest mimicked a typical NFL game tailgate.
The game was not limited to Buccaneers and Seahawks fans. Fans of most other NFL teams, including the Miami Dolphins, waved their flags excited to cheer for the first game played in Germany.
Fans traveled from around the world, many from Tampa, Florida, home of the Buccaneers. Fans lined up posing with their hometown or favorite teams inside of larger-than-life football helmets.
Big Nasty poses for a photo during his last game dressing up in his famous attire. Nasty has been attending Buccaneers games in this festive attire for over 35 years and wanted to end his tenure with this historical game.
DJ Funshine smiles as she plays classic American music during the NFL Fan Fest in Munich, Germany. Among the many DJ booths and food vendors, the nearby 40-yard dash challenge entertained fans prior to the game.
Fans smoke prior to the game during the NFL Fan Fest. Walking around the venue, you could see fans eating bratwurst and other classic Bavarian foods, while also taking a smoke break.
A Seahawks fan waits in line to order from a Bavarian food truck during the NFL Fan Fest. The smells of bratwurst wafted through the air as American tunes played prior to the start of the game.
A highlight of the NFL Fan Fest was the variety of food options for fans to enjoy. Fans could choose from classic barbecue to German staples for their pre-game meal.
A smiling fan poses in front of the many photo opportunities provided at Allianz Arena for fans to enjoy. The number 12 is a significant number in the Seahawks fanbase because it was retired to honor the devotion of the fans in 1984.
Green Bay Packers fans dress in traditional game attire— including the beloved Cheesehead Hat. During the game, you could find fans of all teams in the NFL cheering on the game.
A Seahawks fan from Ireland cheers for his team during the NFL Fan Fest. Fans from all over Europe and beyond made their way to Munich, Germany for the Sunday, Nov. 13 game.
A Bayern Munich fan smiles as he checks out the NFL Fan Fest. Typically, instead of NFL football, Allianz Arena is home to Bayern Munich’s sold-out soccer games.
Traditional German fare was a popular offering at the NFL Fan Fest. Instead of hot dogs and hamburgers, fans enjoyed classic Bavarian foods, among other food trucks.
A poses for a photo in front of the rivalry poster during the NFL Fan Fest. Scarves that are a norm for soccer games made their way to the Allianz Arena as an American football accessory.
After leaving Allianz Arena, fans take the Munich U-Bahn public transportation home. Some fans wore masks on public transportation after acknowledging the system’s recorded encouragement to do so.
Beer bottles were scattered along the walkway from the U-Bahn station to the arena. Many people in Germany leave the bottles out so that they can be exchanged for money after being cleaned up by those searching for work.
This story is part of a special series WRUF reporters worked on to celebrate the last game of the 2022 NFL International Series this Monday, Nov. 21 in Mexico City. Find all our related stories here.
ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF ESPN 98.1 FM / 850 AM WRUF
