Michigan Football Reportedly Set to Open 2026 CFB Schedule In Germany vs. WMU

The University of Michigan and Western Michigan University will reportedly open the 2026 college football season with a game in Frankfurt, Germany.

Originally scheduled for Sept. 5, 2026, at the Wolverines' Michigan Stadium, the game will instead be played on Aug. 29, 2026, at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, according to On3.com's Brett McMurphy.

In a post on X, Michigan confirmed that the school is "engaged in ongoing discussions" to play a game against Western Michigan in Germany in 2026:

It will mark the first time in the 145-year history of Michigan's football program that it plays an international game.

Additionally, Western Michigan will become the first MAC team to ever play in an international game during the regular season.

While four college football games have taken place in Germany over the years, McMurphy noted that Michigan vs. Western Michigan will be the first between FBS teams and the first in Frankfurt.

The NFL notably began holding annual games in Germany in 2022 with two games taking place at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt in 2023.

The lone NFL Germany game this season will be played between the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons at Olympiastadion in Berlin on Nov. 9.

Michigan is just two seasons removed from going a perfect 15-0 and winning a national championship, but there has been a ton of turnover since then.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh left to take the Los Angeles Chargers head coaching job, leading to the elevation of Sherrone Moore to head coach. The Wolverines also lost tons of key players, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

As a result, Michigan struggled for much of last season, but it found its footing late in the year.

The Wolverines shocked their rival and the eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes before beating Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl to finish the season a respectable 8-5.

Expectations are high for 2025 and beyond thanks largely to the arrival of quarterback Bryce Underwood, who was the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class, per 247Sports.

Michigan has an all-time record of 8-0 against Western Michigan with the most recent meeting being a 47-14 win in 2021.

The 2026 season will represent the first meeting between the Wolverines and Broncos somewhere other than Ann Arbor, Michigan.