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Michigan to open 2026 season with game in Europe, per report
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Michigan will open the 2026 season with a game overseas, according to a report.
That’s per On3’s Brett McMurphy, who says the Wolverines will face Western Michigan in Germany next August. That game, scheduled for Aug. 29, will be played at Deutsche Bank Park.
That venue has hosted several NFL games in previous years. It’s also the home stadium for the Bundesliga’s Eintracht Frankfurt.
According to McMurphy’s report, this will be the first-ever international game for Michigan football. Playing in Europe has become more popular in recent years, particularly in Ireland. However, this will be the first FBS college football game to be played in Germany.
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This also means Michigan will have a Week 0 game next season. Labor Day is not until Sept. 7 in 2026, so Aug. 29 lands on Saturday in Week 0 next season.
Next year’s slate also features another high-profile international game: North Carolina vs. TCU in Dublin, Ireland.
This contest against Western Michigan was originally slated to be played in Ann Arbor. Michigan is 8-0 all-time against Western Michigan.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.