Frankfurt could soon play a significant role in the National Football League (NFL). Because still the Main metropolis is a hot candidate for the fact that here in the years starting from 2022 to 2025 and possibly also beyond in each case a regular league play could be organized. Should the decision fall on Frankfurt at the beginning of February, the city wants to be prepared for it to start as early as this fall.
"Frankfurt is a hot candidate among the three remaining candidate cities. If we win the bid and partner with the NFL, we will facilitate money for the preparation of inner-city spaces to make it easier to host events such as fan festivals in the long term. We will also support the development of structures for football and flag football, especially in youth sports. American football in Frankfurt will experience a real boost," says Head of Sports and Planning Mike Josef. He adds, "We are thus illustrating the city's desire and commitment to further strengthen the promotion of American football, and inner city development and Frankfurt's role as a sports city."
At the moment, regular league games of the NFL take place in Mexico City and in London. It is planned that with Germany a further venue is to come in addition. And Frankfurt actually has quite good chances: "Especially in football, Frankfurt looks back on a long tradition. The first football games ever to be held in Germany took place here in 1945. And many people still remember the games of the Galaxy in the NFL Europe League. That's why NFL games also fit in well with us," says Josef.
After the NFL invited suitable cities and partners to apply as venues, the city of Frankfurt had participated in the candidate phase together with Eintracht Frankfurt. After an initial pre-selection, two other cities besides Frankfurt, Munich and Düsseldorf, are now in the process. EFS is negotiating the contractual arrangements for hosting the league games with the NFL and will become a contractual partner if the bid is accepted. The decision on the venue is expected to be announced in February.
The NFL plans to make a sustained commitment to youth sports in American football and to support this financially. The NFL business plan provides about 450,000 euros annually for this purpose. This amount will also serve to strengthen youth work in Frankfurt's sports clubs. From the existing budget of the sports and planning department, one million euros are to be made available for the preparation of inner-city pitches and 500,000 euros for sports promotion - following a corresponding resolution by the city council.
"Frankfurt is a sports city with high-profile events, daily club sports and self-organized sports and exercise. Hosting NFL games can offer the city and region a new direction and new perspectives in the upcoming phase of sporting re-entry after the Corona pandemic," says Josef. "They can also add a highly attractive event to the sports portfolio, and we can expand our image as a national and international sports city. We could benefit enormously economically and ideally from the Games: Frankfurt would become an important travel destination for international fans. Hotels, restaurants and retailers could expect sales increases in the days surrounding the game. In addition, the game will be watched on TV in the USA and around the world. Last but not least, sports development and club sports in Frankfurt can also receive new impetus."
We will keep you informed about the NFL's decision, of course!
