Colts to Be Host Team for NFL's 1st Berlin Game Ahead Of 2025 International Series

The Indianapolis Colts announced Wednesday that they will be the host team next season for the first NFL regular-season game ever played in Berlin, Germany.

That game will be part of the NFL's International Series, which also includes three games to be played in London, England, with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars serving as the host teams.

While next season will mark the NFL's first regular-season game in Berlin, it will also represent the fourth consecutive season that a game has been held in Germany.

It started with a game in Munich in 2022, followed by two games in Frankfurt in 2023 and one game in Munich in 2024.

Although next season will mark the NFL's regular-season debut in Berlin, Germany's capital city does have some previous history with the league.

From 1990 through 1994, Berlin hosted an annual NFL preseason game with each matchup being held at the Olympiastadion. The league previously announced that the Olympiastadion will host next season's Berlin game as well.

In addition to playing in exhibition games in Mexico, Japan and Canada, the Colts have twice appeared in regular-season games abroad.

The first occasion came in 2016 when they fell 30-27 to the Jaguars in a contest at London's Wembley Stadium.

More recently, the Colts and New England Patriots squared off in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2023. The Patriots served as the host team, but Indy prevailed 10-6 on the strength of a rushing touchdown by star running back Jonathan Taylor.

The Colts' opponent for their upcoming Berlin game will be announced some time this offseason, as will those of the Browns, Jets and Jags in London.

Indianapolis has not reached the playoffs since going 11-5 in 2020, and it has not won a playoff game since the 2018 season.

The Colts have hovered around the .500 mark in three of the past four seasons, going 9-8 in 2021 and 2023, and 8-9 this season.

While they have some quality pieces with Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. standing out in particular, they have to figure out their quarterback situation in order to reach the next level.

Anthony Richardson has not established himself as the clear franchise guy since the Colts took him fourth overall in the 2023 NFL draft, and his future with the organization is very much in question.

However, for now, Richardson is likely the favorite to be under center for the Colts when they take the field in Berlin next season.