Honolulu Blue in Bavaria: The Lions' Munich Moment, Powered by Wins and a German-Speaking Star

Streets in downtown Munich are filling with Honolulu Blue as the Detroit Lions arrive in Bavaria for a Sunday matchup against the New England Patriots, bringing a four-game winning streak and an international fan presence.

The team arrived in Germany on Friday, November 13, 2026, holding a 6-2 record for what is technically designated as a home game. Detroit has not played an international game since 2015, but club leadership and coaching staff noted an immediate surge of local support upon landing.

“Now that we’re winning, our fans have traveled everywhere we go,” coach Dan Campbell said Friday after the team arrived in Bavaria.

“We almost feel like it’s been a takeover in some of these stadiums we’re at. Not every fan base is that way,” Campbell said. “Ours is that way. And so you come over here and our fan base comes and then you see this and the support that you feel here in Munich, in this country. It’s pretty inspiring.”

The franchise is one of 11 NFL teams that have league-granted marketing rights in Germany, allowing them to sign commercial deals, build brand awareness and hold fan activations.

Honolulu blue in bavaria the lions munich moment

“We’re thrilled to be here to bring Detroit to the world and to have this opportunity to build the Detroit Lions’ brand and to continue to build our fan base and to engage with all the fans we have here in Germany and here in Europe,” team president and CEO Rich Haddad said.

Haddad said that walking through downtown Munich revealed immediate visibility of the team’s colors, adding that support is expected to expand over the next couple days.

Helping bridge the cultural gap is star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose mother is German and who speaks the language fluently. Campbell also highlighted the industrial identity of Detroit when describing the club to European supporters.

“Well, it’s a blue-collar city and we have blue-collar fans. They’re very much all about hard work. We don’t have the beach,” Campbell said. “The summers are unbelievable, but things come a little bit harder out in that area.”

Hired in 2021, Campbell has emphasized shaping an identity that aligns with the values of the region’s residents, pointing to a community of hardworking individuals who support the team.

On the injury front, edge rusher DJ Wonnum participated fully in practice throughout the week following a concussion and carries no game designation, clearing him for Sunday’s contest. Running back Sione Vaki practiced in a limited capacity Friday due to an ankle injury and remains questionable, though his availability would offer crucial relief for Jahmyr Gibbs.

Meanwhile, safety Kerby Joseph, center Cade Mays, and cornerback D.J. Reed did not make the trip to Munich and were ruled out ahead of the weekend.