NHL Global Series Expansion
Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers Set for NHL Regular-Season Games in Germany
Key Points
SAP Garden in Munich will host two Boston Bruins regular-season games, marking Munich’s first regular-season NHL games; the venue for hockey holds 10,796 seats.
Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers’ star from Cologne, will have two regular-season games played in his hometown of Cologne as part of the Germany slate.
Marco Sturm is highlighted as the NHL’s first German head coach and the Bruins’ first German-born player in franchise history, underscoring deep German ties to the event.
The announcement is part of a broader, multi-year plan to bring regular-season NHL games to Germany for at least the next three seasons, including upcoming Dusseldorf matchups this December, with more details to be released later.
The Boston Bruins will play two regular-season games in Munich, Germany during the 2027-28 NHL season, marking the city's first-ever regular-season NHL matchups Boston Globe. The Edmonton Oilers will simultaneously play two games in Cologne as part of a coordinated NHL Global Series expansion into Germany AJC. Both the NHL and NHLPA are using the initiative to deepen the league's presence in Europe and connect with new fans and business partners.
The games underscore the NHL's growing investment in European markets. The league has already played regular-season games in Berlin in 2011 and plans additional matchups in Düsseldorf this December TSN. Munich's SAP Garden arena, which holds 10,796 seats, will host the Bruins games, while Cologne's Lanxess Arena will welcome the Oilers.
German Connections Give Munich Games Local Flavor
The Bruins bring deep ties to Germany. Coach Marco Sturm is the NHL's first German-born head coach Boston Globe. Players like JJ Peterka and Lukas Reichel also strengthen the German connection to Boston's roster.
The Oilers' situation mirrors the Bruins'. Star player Leon Draisaitl hails from Cologne, the city hosting Edmonton's two games AJC. Having an NHL superstar play home games in his own city creates powerful marketing and fan engagement opportunities.
A Multi-Year Plan to Establish Hockey in Germany
This 2027-28 announcement is part of a broader three-year commitment to bring regular-season NHL hockey to German cities WTOP. Düsseldorf will host games this December, with more cities and dates to be announced later.
The NHL and NHLPA view Germany as a critical market for long-term growth. Bringing live regular-season action—not just exhibitions—signals serious investment. Each city will host games across multiple seasons, building fan bases and infrastructure gradually.
The Global Series Returns to Boston After Years Away
This marks the Bruins' return to the NHL Global Series since the 2010-2011 season Head Topics. The program allows the league to test new markets and build international fan engagement without disrupting regular-season scheduling back home.
Full details on opponents, exact dates, and ticket sales will come later. The announcement sets up what the NHL hopes becomes a new pipeline of European talent and revenue AJC.
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