NHL Announces Global Games Featuring Bruins, Oilers in Munich and Cologne for 2027 Schedule

The NHL is going to Germany for four regular-season games on the 2027-28 schedule.

According to a release from the NHL, Munich and Cologne will host games as part of the Global Games series. The Boston Bruins will play two games at the SAP Garden, and Lanxess Arena will host two games featuring the Edmonton Oilers.

Dates and opponents for the games will be announced at some point after the 2026-27 NHL season begins.

Germany first hosted an NHL regular season game in October 2011 when the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings played at O2 World in Berlin.

Thursday's announcement comes in the wake of FC Bayern, the Munich-based Bundesliga soccer club, entering into a multiyear partnership with the NHL to help support the growth of the NHL in Germany and Bayern in the North America.

Germany is scheduled to host regular season NHL contests in at least each of the next three seasons. The 2026-27 campaign will feature the Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks playing two games in Düsseldorf at PSD Bank Dome on Dec. 18 and 20.

The games will provide a homecoming for JJ Peterka and Leon Draisaitl. Peterka, who was traded to the Bruins in June, is from Munich. The 24-year-old put up 47 points in 82 games for the Buffalo Sabres last season.

Draisaitl, who was born in Cologne, led Germany to the quarterfinals at the 2026 Olympics in his first-ever appearance at the Winter Games.

The 2026-27 regular season is expanding to 84 games for the first time since 1993-94. The season begins on Sept. 29 with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes raising their banner against the Florida Panthers.