Michigan Football Scraps Plans for Germany Game, Will Open 2026 Season at Home vs. WMU

Michigan announced Wednesday that the team's matchup with Western Michigan to open the 2026 college football season will take place in Ann Arbor instead of Frankfurt, Germany.

"We did a thorough and exhaustive evaluation in relation to playing an international game," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said as part of the announcement. "Based on the analysis of all the factors, we felt it was best to keep the game in Ann Arbor as it was originally scheduled for the 2026 season. I want to thank Eintracht Frankfurt and their Stadium Management company for all the work that they did in partnership with our staff to try to make this game a possibility."

The school was previously engaged in discussions to hold the game at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt instead of Michigan Stadium.

Manuel didn't completely shut the door on the Wolverines playing an international game in the future, though.

"We have fans and alumni around the globe, and many have expressed excitement about attending a game on foreign soil," Manuel said. "We remain open to exploring the right opportunities for our teams to play internationally."

There'll still be multiple 2026 college football games in Europe that won't involve Michigan, as TCU and North Carolina will open the year in Dublin before Kansas and Arizona State are set to face off in London later in the season.

As for the Wolverines, they'll stay at home to host the Broncos. Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore won't be patrolling the sidelines during the game due to his suspension for the first contest of the 2026 season as one of the penalties for the football program's sign-stealing scandal.

The Wolverines currently sit at 7-2 this year, riding a three-game win streak. They were listed at No. 21 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season.

Meanwhile, Western Michigan owns a 5-4 record in its third year under head coach Lance Taylor.