RAVENS TAKE EFA OPENER TO GRÜNWALDER STADION

The Munich Ravens will kick off the 2026 season by taking elite European American football into one of the city’s most iconic venues, with their European Football Alliance (EFA) opener against the Raiders Tirol set for May 17th at the Städtisches Stadion an der Grünwalder Straße.

The move marks the first time top-tier professional American football will be staged in the heart of Giesing — a ground steeped in Munich football history — as the Ravens attempt to position themselves at the forefront of the sport’s continued growth in Germany.

“It’s a clear sign that football is growing in Germany,” said Ravens general manager Sean Shelton. “We enter the stadium with great respect and feel honoured to be able to play here. At the same time, we’re excited to be back on the field in front of fans to start the season.”

The fixture has been deliberately framed as a one-off showcase to open the campaign, with the Ravens’ remaining home games returning to Sportpark Unterhaching.

Beyond the venue shift, the match-up itself carries added significance within the evolving European landscape. Both Munich and Tirol are key pillars of the newly formed EFA, but both face complications arising from their previous allegiance to the European League of Football (ELF). Against that backdrop, staging the opener in a central, culturally significant venue is as much a statement of intent as it is a logistical decision.