KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan football team is in ongoing discussions with the University of Michigan to open the 2026 season against the Wolverines at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany, on Saturday, Aug. 29. The game would mark the third international game in WMU's history and the first outside of North America.
 
"It's exciting to be in these advance discussions that present an historic moment not only for our football program, but for Western Michigan University as our national brand continues to grow," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae. "The opportunity to be a part of the first college football game played in Germany presents an experience for our program that is unmatched at any level of college football, and puts the University on an international stage. We can't wait for the world to see all of the great academic, community, and athletic accomplishments happening at Western Michigan university."
 
Deutsche Bank Park is home to Eintracht Frankfurt, a soccer team in Germany's highest tier professional league the Budensliga. The stadium, which seats 55,000, previously hosted two National Football League games during the 2023 regular season, with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the Miami Dolphins 21-14 on Nov. 5 and the Indianapolis Colts topping the New England Patriots 10-6 on Nov. 12.
 
"This is an incredible opportunity for our football program, our student-athletes, and the entire Western Michigan University community," said Head Football Coach Lance Taylor. "To potentially open the 2026 season on an international stage against one of the most storied programs in college football is both an honor and an exciting challenge we would embrace wholeheartedly. An international game offers our players not only a unique competitive experience, but also an invaluable educational one. Traveling to Germany and representing Western Michigan University abroad will give our student-athletes cultural exposure and memories they'll carry long beyond their playing days. It's the kind of life experience that perfectly reflects the spirit and values of college athletics."
 
Western Michigan was originally slated to open the 2026 season at Michigan on Sept. 5. WMU's first international football game was the 2007 International against Cincinnati at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. The second was the Bahamas Bowl on Dec. 24, 2015, a 45-31 win over Middle Tennessee State for the program's first bowl victory.
 
More details will be forthcoming regarding the date and location of Michigan's 2026 opener.