The National Football League (NFL) has been gaining popularity in Germany and across Europe in recent years. American football has seen tremendous growth as a spectator sport, with NFL games attracting large crowds eager to experience the unique atmosphere of the sport. This year, Frankfurt is hosting an NFL regular season game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks, only the third time Germany has hosted a regular season NFL game. With the huge interest in the NFL in Germany, the question arises – is the game sold out?
Background on NFL Games in Germany
American football has been played competitively in Germany since the 1970s, but recent years have seen dramatic growth in popularity of the sport. While still behind sports like soccer, handball and basketball in terms of fans and participation, interest in the NFL has risen sharply. Germany has a strong NFL fanbase, with over 19 million NFL fans in the country.
In terms of hosting NFL games, Germany is a relative newcomer. The first NFL game played in Germany took place in 1991, a preseason exhibition between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams. That game drew over 46,000 fans to Olympic Stadium in Berlin. After that, it would be over 25 years until another NFL game was played in Germany.
In November 2018, the Seattle Seahawks played the Oakland Raiders at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The game drew over 69,000 fans, breaking records for the biggest NFL crowd in Germany. The enthusiastic reception convinced the NFL to continue bringing games to Germany.
Most recently in November 2022, Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers played against the Seattle Seahawks at the Allianz Arena in Munich again. That game officially sold out, with over 67,000 tickets distributed. The success of the Munich games paved the way for the 2023 game being hosted in Frankfurt.
Ticket Demand for the Frankfurt Game
Given the popularity of the previous Germany NFL games, it’s no surprise that tickets for the 2023 Frankfurt game are in extremely high demand. The game is set to take place at Deutsche Bank Park, home of the Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. The stadium holds just over 51,000 fans.
NFL Germany officials have reported over 3 million ticket requests for the game during the registration period earlier this year. Only around 77,000 tickets are being sold in total, so the vast majority of requests had to be turned down.
The intense demand speaks to how popular the NFL has become in Germany. Fans jumped at the rare opportunity to see a live regular season NFL game in their home country. The matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks features star power, with quarterbacks Tom Brady and Geno Smith.
Even the highest prices tickets sold out almost immediately. The top tier Category 1 tickets were priced at €159. Ticket prices went down from there, but all categories were in high demand. The cheapest €55 tickets for upper level end zone seats also quickly sold out.
Breakdown of Ticket Sales for Game
To break it down, here is an overview of the ticket categories and sales for the Frankfurt game:
Category | Location | Price (Euros) | Tickets Sold |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Lower Level Sidelines | €159 | 14,500 |
2 | Lower Level Corners | €119 | 17,000 |
3 | Upper Level Sidelines | €99 | 13,000 |
4 | Upper Level Corners | €79 | 17,000 |
5 | Upper Level End Zone | €55 | 15,500 |
This breakdown shows the high demand at all ticket levels. Even the cheapest €55 upper deck end zone seats quickly sold out. Overall, the 77,000 tickets allotted for sale were purchased almost immediately after going on sale.
Is the Game Truly Sold Out?
Based on the intense demand and rapidly selling out of all ticket categories, it is fair to say the game is completely sold out. Fans who missed out on tickets during the original sale period will likely have to turn to secondary ticket providers to gain access. There simply are no primary tickets left for the game on October 16, 2023.
The NFL limits ticket allotments for international games to create more scarcity and demand. If held in a larger US stadium, the Frankfurt game could potentially accommodate over 100,000 fans. But the reduced capacity has made tickets highly coveted and hard to come by.
It’s a safe bet that the lucky 77,000 fans with tickets to the game have been looking forward to this event all year. Frankfurt will be packed with NFL fans eager to watch Brady and the Buccaneers take on Smith and the Seahawks. The electric atmosphere will make up for the fact most German fans only get this NFL experience every few years.
Limited Tickets on Secondary Market
The secondary ticket market shows just how sold out the game is. There are virtually no primary market tickets available anywhere. Secondary marketplaces like Stubhub have limited quantities of tickets at hugely inflated prices.
For example, as of October 9, 2023 a week before the game, the cheapest available ticket on Stubhub was €237.61 including fees for an upper sideline seat. The most expensive ticket was €926.83 for a lower level 50 yard line seat. These prices represent massive premiums over the original face value prices, indicating extremely high demand even on the secondary market.
There simply aren’t enough resold tickets available to come anywhere close to meeting demand from German NFL fans. The game was a box office smash as soon as tickets went on sale.
Other Options for Fans Without Tickets
Since the Frankfurt game is conclusively sold out, what options exist for fans who were unable to get tickets but still want to experience the game and its atmosphere?
Public Viewing Events
One option is to attend one of the many public viewing events happening around Frankfurt on game day. These events will set up large screens to broadcast the game, allowing fans to gather in public plazas and beer gardens to watch together. The city expects up to 60,000 fans to attend public viewing parties in downtown Frankfurt.
Sports Bars
Watching the game from a sports bar or restaurant with TVs is another solid option. There will be excitement and camaraderie around the city at bars airing the game. Fans can soak up the atmosphere and enjoy beer and bar food while watching the game broadcast.
Television
For fans staying home, the game will be broadcast for free on ProSieben channel and its online streaming platforms. All local telecasts of NFL games in Germany are shown on free TV rather than paid cable. Viewers can enjoy family and friends over to watch the game broadcast.
High Demand Likely for Future NFL Games in Germany
The instant sellout and massive demand for the 2023 Frankfurt game underscores how popular the NFL has become in Germany. American football is clearly going mainstream, transitioning from a niche sport to a major event drawing tens of thousands.
The NFL has recognized this growing appetite by committing to multiple future games in Germany. Beyond 2023, Germany will host an annual NFL game over the next three seasons. The games will rotate between Frankfurt and Munich, meeting demand from multiple German fan bases.
There’s talk of eventually placing an actual NFL franchise permanently in Germany. The local passion for American football makes the German market a natural contender for an expansion franchise someday. Events like the 2023 Frankfurt game display the huge NFL potential in Germany.
For now, German fans remain hungry for any chance to see live regular season NFL action. Tickets for those games will likely remain in short supply and high demand. Events like Frankfurt 2023 demonstrate that the NFL in Germany is a smash hit sellout.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the October 2023 NFL game in Frankfurt between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks is definitively sold out. The limited ticket allotment of 77,000 sold out immediately across all pricing categories. This reflects the huge appetite among German fans to attend a live regular season NFL game. With no primary market tickets remaining and limited availability on secondary markets at inflated prices, fans without tickets will have to look to public viewing events and TV broadcasts. The passionate interest around the Frankfurt matchup indicates the bright future for the NFL in Germany. More sellout crowds are anticipated for NFL games in Germany in upcoming seasons.