The Munich Game 2022 was a complete success, but not everything was perfect. This year, the NFL even comes to Germany for two games and gets the opportunity to learn from the mistakes. These things have to be better in 2023 – a commentary.

“Country Roads” and sea of lights. 69,811 enthusiastic fans in the Allianz Arena. Tom Brady, who just played the first official NFL game on German soil.

The images from the Munich Game 2022 will remain unforgotten. A historic day for the NFL and football in Germany.

But also a huge party. And it was fun. A lot of fun.

Munich Game: Ticket chaos caused frustration

But it was far from perfect. Now the NFL is even coming to Germany for two games this year and has the chance to stop making some mistakes. Even if the cities and stadiums are not yet known, there are basic things that need to be better in 2023.

The first trouble and frustration probably started for most fans well before the actual match. The ticketing system almost invited people to buy more tickets than necessary and later offer them online at horrendous prices. Up to six ticket purchases per person were too many.

Many fans were left disappointed. Too many. Of course, not all of the nearly 800,000 interested people could get tickets, but there has to be a fair middle ground. After all, there are two chances for all German fans this year.

Dear NFL, Germany can do tailgating too

Those who were among the lucky ones experienced a certain party atmosphere in the hours before the game. Many fans arrived at the stadium well before admission. The fans were ready for a party atmosphere a la “tailgating”. Only the NFL was apparently not.

Isolated interactive opportunities such as foosball or throwing challenges for those waiting were a good approach, but it was thought too small. Or the NFL simply hadn’t reckoned with this rush, this desire of the fans.

The NFL may – no, must – think bigger in Germany in the future. The fans didn’t want a normal admission to a football game, they wanted the football feeling. Inside and outside the stadium. They made the best of it within the scope of the possibilities, but more must be offered from the league side at upcoming games.

One DJ greeting the football supporters at the entrance was not enough for the mass of people who wanted to celebrate a football festival already outside the Allianz Arena.

The NFL needs to go bigger in Germany

The fact that the NFL had apparently miscalculated the rush was also evident in the merchandise sales points. The only shop in front of the stadium was already overcrowded at 11:00 a.m. and there was an admission freeze. Four and a half hours before kickoff.

In the arena, there were many but only small places where too little was sold. Popular items and sizes were sold out immediately. Not to mention long waits outside the shops.

Also, the NFL has to understand that there are many football fans in Germany above all. Of course, there were some supporters of the Buccaneers as well as the Seahawks in Munich who played against each other. But there were also those who would have liked to stock up on merchandise from other teams when the NFL is already on site.

NFL stars must not be neglected

But it is not only for the fans that the experience can be improved; there is also room for improvement for the stars on the turf.

Already evident in the game, both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks had massive problems with the surface. Brady slipped on his unsuccessful trick play and some Seahawks players also often struggled to stay on their feet.

The Allianz Arena even offered the natural grass that most professionals love. With the wave of negative voices in the aftermath, something has to change for future appearances of NFL stars in Germany.

Even looking to the future, the goal cannot and must not be for players to have to play on “mud”, as Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans called the condition. Otherwise, teams will think twice about playing in Germany again when in doubt.

Munich Game has set the standard

Partly subtleties, partly bigger building sites. But the blueprint for two more successful NFL games in Germany is there.

And despite all the criticism, the Munich Game has set the standard very high. Now it is up to the NFL and the venues to set the bar even higher for the coming years.

But there’s nothing to be said against “Country Roads” and a sea of lights after the games in the future, too.