CBS: Bucs Have A Coin Flip Chance Of Playing In Munich
May 8th, 2026
A return to the land of bier, brats, kraut and dirndls for topless Vita Vea?
The NFL is efforting to release the 2026 schedule sometime in the next two weeks.
What’s the hangup?
Per Mike North (not that Mike North), the NFL’s suit in charge of broadcasting and scheduling, the league has a five-game package it has yet to sell to a network/streamer. Once that deal is finalized, the schedule can be finalized.
The Bucs have two road opponents on the 2026 schedule playing overseas: the Dixie Chicks in Madrid and the Lions in Munich.
The NFL has yet to release who the Dixie Chicks and Lions will host in Europe.
Joe was poking around at the owners meetings in Arizona back in March trying to find out if the Bucs would have to have their passports updated to play in Germany or Spain. Joe was told by someone with knowledge of the situation the Bucs playing an international game this fall couldn’t be ruled out.
So Bucs fans who may want to travel, or Bucs fans who want to punch a hole in the wall over the Bucs flying across the Atlantic Ocean to play, brace yourselves.
In fact, John Breech of CBS thinks it’s a 50/50 shot the Bucs will be packing their bags for Europe.
Munich, to be exact.
Lions in Munich
Possible opponents: Bears, Packers, Vikings, Saints, Buccaneers, Giants, Patriots, Jets, TitansPrediction: Giants or Buccaneers
There’s a report that the Giants will play an international game this year, and this one would certainly make the most sense. The Giants hold marketing rights in Germany, so they would likely be on board if the NFL decides to send them to Munich. This one isn’t a lock, but it would be a mild surprise if the Giants aren’t the opponent.The argument against the Giants is that they played in Germany in 2024, so the NFL might be interested in sending another team. If that’s the case, then the Buccaneers could make sense. Tampa Bay played in the NFL’s inaugural Germany game in 2022, but hasn’t been back since.
Breech hit the two key points for the Bucs returning to Munich. The Bucs have marketing rights in Germany and they haven’t had an international game since they were first in Munich in 2022 when Tampa Bay beat the Seahawks.
The NFL likes to rotate teams playing on foreign soil at least once every four years.
Joe gets why fans don’t like these games. The good thing is if the Bucs are in Germany or Spain this fall, it’s a road game. So Bucs fans aren’t getting jobbed of a home game.
Joe went to Munich for the Seahawks-Bucs game in 2022. It was Joe’s first time in Europe and had no expectations. And it was an absolute blast!
It was truly one of the highlights of Joe’s life. And there’s little, if any, language barrier. The Germans speak better English than many Americans. (Taking multiple years of English in schools in Germany is a requirement, sometimes all the way into college.)
If you are a World War II history nut like Joe is, Munich is right in the middle of it. So much to see there. And the bier, wow!
Joe has a hunch the NFL will announce who will play the Dixie Chicks and the Lions overseas before the full schedule is released.
Whenever that is.
May 8th, 2026 at 12:52 am
The quote says the Giants have the marketing rights. Joes comments say the Bucs do…?
May 8th, 2026 at 1:36 am
Hopefully that picture of 50 didn’t make Jason go from 6 to midnight. 🤔
May 8th, 2026 at 4:22 am
Ill attempt to get tickets for Germany if the Bucs are playing!
May 8th, 2026 at 6:14 am
I highly recommend you go if in Munich. We went in 2022 and still talk about it to this day. Also, book air and hotel on your own but most certainly do the NFL experience tailgating experience. Pricey but OMG what an experience. I pray the Bucs get the Munich game as my second road game option is attending the Cincy game as I have a close friend that lives in Cincy. Also headed back to NOLA away games since the city is now deemed safe.
May 8th, 2026 at 6:17 am
At least it’s not Australia where the 49ers and Rams open the season. Anyone can easily overcome the 6-hour time change from a trip to Germany, but Australia?
When I was there the time change was 14 hours ahead of EST.
Had a return flight home from Guam with a stop in Honolulu.
After the 7.5 hour flight from Guam I had arrived in Hawaii before I left Guam.
Figure that one out!
Yeah, there was the whole International Date Line thing, but try conveying that to your jet lagged body.
Germany=ok if you don’t lose a home game.
Australia=bad on all counts.
May 8th, 2026 at 7:14 am
So, no schedule yet because of…..money. I love the NFL but F all the owners.
May 8th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Hoping the Bucs get the Germany game for 2 reasons.
1) This would eliminate the Ford Field home advantage for the Lions “home” game.
2) I’ve never been to Germany and would make for a fun trip.
May 8th, 2026 at 8:41 am
Be nice if the Bucs went back. Munich is a great place and so many things to do. I was even born there!!
May 8th, 2026 at 8:55 am
“Efforting” Hmm. Ok. I’m coffee cupping.
May 8th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Yes, the Bucs have marketing rights in Germany.
May 8th, 2026 at 10:58 am
I’d love it. Being a morning person watching my Bucs at 930 in the morning beats the hell out of night games.
May 8th, 2026 at 11:52 am
For you guys going to Germany, better leave your MAGA hats home.
May 8th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
@BucsfaninOregon you people are so weird. I try to get away from politics for a few minutes and you insert Trump into every single thing. Not surprised though Oregon is beautiful state filled with idiots.
May 8th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Makes no difference to me. It’s a TV show, as the NFL is making more clear each year. The other reason the schedule is late is Patrick Mahomes – the schedule must show the chosen one when he returns from injury.
May 8th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
NFL should schedule the Munich game during Oktoberfest on the calendar regardless of who is playing.
May 8th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
We will welcome all of you with open arms and lots of beers. Munich II will be an unforgettable party!
May 8th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
That’ll be great watching Bowles pass defense getting torched in Germany.
I’m pretty sure they know what it’s like to witness a regime go down in flames.
Ich muss nur besser werden = Just gotta get better
Unload the clown car with Bowles behind the wheel.
May 8th, 2026 at 6:51 pm
Our home games have looked like road games lately… what’s the difference?
May 8th, 2026 at 9:45 pm
The halftime show can be a dunk contest with azz munch,328and Lynch mob..Ill be in line first .any takers??
May 9th, 2026 at 12:54 am
Love the idea but not only won’t there be any hotel rooms, the city’s hotels obscenely gouge visitors during Oktoberfest.
May 11th, 2026 at 8:04 pm
Back in 1980, the 49ers’ defense was flat-out bad — 27th or 28th in total defense if memory serves me right.
May 11th, 2026 at 8:05 pm
Then they tore the whole thing down and rebuilt it. Rolled into the secondary with rookies and unproven guys
May 11th, 2026 at 8:06 pm
like Ronnie Lott “The Enforcer,” E. Wright, and Carlton Williamson.
May 11th, 2026 at 8:07 pm
Added veteran tone-setters like
May 11th, 2026 at 8:10 pm
Hacksaw
May 11th, 2026 at 8:13 pm
J.R and and Fred Dean to the front seven.