NHL Expands German Presence With Oilers and Bruins
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The league will bring regular-season games to Munich and Cologne in 2027 as part of a multi-year growth strategy.
The NHL and NHLPA have announced that the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers will both play two regular-season games in Germany during the 2027-28 season, according to reporting from Sportsnet.
As part of the expansion, the Boston Bruins are scheduled to play two games in Munich. The Edmonton Oilers will play two games in Cologne, the hometown of player Leon Draisaitl. While the league has confirmed the locations and participating teams, Sportsnet reports that the opponents for these matchups have not yet been determined.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly stated that these events are a key part of the league's commitment to expanding hockey in Germany, describing the country as one of Europe's most dynamic hockey markets. Daly noted that the goal is to increase engagement with local communities, partners, and fans to grow the sport nationwide.
The NHL and NHLPA have pledged to bring regular-season games to Germany for a minimum of the next three seasons. The league has already scheduled the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators to play two games in Düsseldorf this December. These upcoming Global Series events follow the first regular-season games held in Germany in 2011, when the Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres played in Berlin.