Following the significant expansion of its NFL rights portfolio, RTL Deutschland is heading into the 2026 NFL regular season with a revamped cross-platform offering. NFL Sundays will now kick off across all platforms with “Guten Abend Football” (“Good Evening Football”). Fans can then choose from a range of live viewing options: top games on free-to-air TV on RTL, a new social-first live game offering on RTL+, the new German-language “Sky NFL-Konferenz” (“Sky NFL Conference”), and Sky Sport’s extensive live coverage featuring two additional standalone games, NFL RedZone, and further NFL content.
“If you’re a football fan in Germany, RTL Deutschland is the place to be,” said Inga Leschek, Chief Content Officer at RTL Deutschland. “Jana Wosnitza is our quarterback, leading our strongest team yet: the best football experts, first-class entertainers, and more former NFL players than ever before. Our game plan is clear: We want to have the right play for every fan – the fast-paced overview provided by the conference broadcast, the first social-first broadcast on RTL+, and, of course, the biggest standalone games on RTL and Sky Sport. This team is ready for kickoff!”
The kickoff show ‘Guten Abend Football’
One stage. Every storyline. Every platform. RTL Deutschland’s new NFL Sunday will now bring fans together from the very start. Starting September 13 at 6:15 p.m., “Guten Abend Football” (“Good Evening Football”) will air live on Nitro, as well as on RTL+ and Sky Sport. Host Jana Wosnitza, joined by Patrick Esume and Björn Werner, will set the stage for the evening of football, cover the week’s key storylines, and guide viewers through the full range of live coverage. Coverage will then continue across RTL, RTL+, and Sky Sport, with different offerings tailored to different fan preferences.
RTL: The top NFL Sunday games on free-to-air TV
Every Sunday, RTL will broadcast selected top regular-season games live on free-to-air TV at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. RTL will also carry the official season opener, all night games, and all NFL International Games in Europe live. On the first NFL Sunday, September 13, RTL will show Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans (kickoff: 7 p.m.) and Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles (kickoff: 10:25 p.m.).
RTL+: Football meets social first
Streaming service RTL+ is introducing an entirely new broadcast concept aimed particularly at younger audiences and viewers who want an even more modern and interactive football experience. Germany’s first social-first live sports broadcast will combine traditional game commentary and football expertise with community interaction and a social-media perspective on the NFL. Social media reactions, pop culture, personalities, and current storylines will complement the traditional live broadcast, providing an accessible entry point for younger fans and NFL newcomers. RTL+ will kick off with New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions (kickoff: 7 p.m.). The offering is available with an RTL+ Premium subscription.
Sky Sport: The most immersive football experience
For fans who want to dive even deeper into the NFL, Sky Sport offers the most comprehensive live coverage. Every Sunday features two additional standalone games, the German-language “Sky NFL-Konferenz” (“Sky NFL Conference”), the original US feed of “NFL RedZone,” night games, and further NFL content on the new “Sky Sport NFL” channel. In-depth analysis, expert insights, and additional NFL Network content make Sky Sport the most immersive football experience. In Week 1, Sky Sport will show Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (kickoff: 7 p.m.) and Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings (kickoff: 10:25 p.m.). The package is available with a Sky Sport subscription.
‘Sky NFL-Konferenz’
Touchdowns, turnovers, big plays, and nail-biting finishes – the redesigned “Sky NFL-Konferenz” (“Sky NFL Conference”) delivers a full dose of NFL action starting September 13. Every Sunday from 7 p.m., the German-language conference broadcast on Sky Sport will cover the day’s action for more than seven hours, showing the key moments from all games being played simultaneously. To kick off the new season, the format will also air live on free-to-air TV on Nitro for the first three weeks. What sets the new concept apart is that all games being played simultaneously will each have their own dedicated commentator throughout. As the central host, Florian Ambrosius will tie everything together, provide context, and take over whenever decisive moments are developing on the field.
A wealth of expertise and NFL experience
RTL Deutschland is fielding its strongest-ever cross-platform lineup for the 2026 NFL regular season. Mark Nzeocha is joining the team on the sidelines at US stadiums. The former Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers player will serve as a sideline analyst for the US coverage, bringing seven years of NFL experience. Three more former NFL players – Marcel Dabo, Aaron Donkor, and Dominik Eberle – are also joining the on-air team and will contribute to live coverage as experts. Together with Sebastian Vollmer, Markus Kuhn, Björn Werner, and Kasim Edebali, they ensure that RTL Deutschland has more former NFL players on its on-air team than any German broadcaster ever before.
The NFL crew is growing in other areas as well: former national team player Mona Stevens, NFL analyst Andreas Nommensen, and ELF champion Lorenz Regler are joining the team of experts. Florian Hauser and Christoph Stadtler are new additions to the commentary team, while Vivian Bahlmann joins the hosting team.
