NFL exploring playing games in Germany, looking for host city

The NFL could soon be returning to Germany.

The league announced Wednesday that it's requesting proposals for future regular-season games in Germany with the aim of identifying a host city, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

"The International Series has become a highlight of the sporting calendar in the U.K., with many fans traveling from Germany to attend," said NFL head of U.K. and Europe Brett Gosper. "We are very excited about this development of our German fan base, and this time is right to identify a partner who can execute a game at NFL standards as part of our international growth strategy."

Allianz Arena in Munich, Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, and Olympiastadion in Berlin have been speculated as possible locations for NFL games.

The International Series has predominantly focused on the U.K., with 28 games held in London since 2007. The NFL has also played in Mexico and Canada.

Before overseas games were canceled last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL had hosted at least three contests in London every year since 2014.

The league will return to the U.K. this campaign, with New York Jets-Atlanta Falcons (Week 4) and Miami Dolphins-Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 6) games set for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

There's a long history between the NFL and Germany. NFL Europe, which operated from 1991 to 2007, featured five German-based teams. Five preseason games were also held in the country between 1990 and 1994.