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NHL Returning to Germany as League Expands Global Growth Strategy

Byoutsidesport

NHL Returning to Germany as League Expands Global Growth Strategy

The National Hockey League will return to Germany next season as part of its broader strategy to expand the sport’s global footprint, with the Ottawa Senators set to face the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2026 Global Series.

Two regular-season games will be played at the PSD Bank Dome on December 18 and December 20, marking the league’s most significant return to the German market in more than a decade.

The matchup will have added local significance with German forward Tim Stützle expected to feature for Ottawa, giving fans in his home country the chance to see one of Germany’s brightest NHL stars play on home ice.

However, the games represent more than a two-game international showcase. During a press conference in Düsseldorf, the NHL and the National Hockey League Players’ Association outlined a long-term strategy designed to strengthen the league’s presence in Germany.

The initiative will focus on grassroots development, fan engagement programs, local content production and the creation of long-term commercial partnerships. League officials also signaled a commitment to bringing additional regular-season NHL games to Germany in the future.

Germany has become an increasingly important market for the league, particularly as the number of elite German players continues to rise. Stars such as Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers, Stützle, and Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings have helped elevate the country’s visibility within the NHL.

The Blackhawks’ trip will also mark the first overseas NHL appearance for rookie star Connor Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and one of the league’s most marketable young talents.

Alongside the games, the league will also introduce “Hockey Day in Germany,” a fan-focused celebration featuring grassroots programs, e-gaming competitions, fan experiences and a public viewing event tied to the NHL’s global broadcast schedule.

The 2026 Global Series will mark the 16th NHL season featuring regular-season games outside North America and only the second time the league has played official regular-season games in Germany.