Colts ready to make history in Germany
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Colts want to pick up a big win in Berlin. Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
The Indianapolis Colts are in Germany this weekend to face the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Berlin's Olympic Stadium.
Why it matters: The matchup is part of a multiyear commitment to play more games in Germany.
What they're saying: "I've gotten the opportunity to play overseas a couple of times, and I think just the energy in the game and the fans … you can feel the excitement from them," Colts quarterback Daniel Jones said Wednesday. "It's a different atmosphere. We're looking forward to that."
Between the lines: Beyond the game, the Colts are bringing the complete NFL Sunday experience to its growing international fanbase with a slate of free fan events that started with a Thursday meet-and-greet featuring Colts Legends Edgerrin James and Dallas Clark.
- Blue Friday in Berlin will pack player appearances, live DJs, Colts cheerleaders, Blue trick shots and more into a day of pregame hype.
State of play: The Colts are focused on picking up a win after suffering just their second loss of the 2025 season last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Still in possession of first place in the AFC South at 7-2, the Colts slipped two spots to No. 3 in the latest NFL Power Rankings.
- Meanwhile, the 3-5 Falcons fell one spot to No. 21 in the rankings after their third straight loss.
The intrigue: This Sunday will also be the debut of Pro Bowl cornerback Sauce Gardner as a member of the Colts after the team picked him up from the New York Jets in a move being hailed as one of the biggest in-season trades ever.
- The Colts traded their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell to the Jets for Gardner.
- Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is switching his jersey number to No. 2 so Gardner can continue wearing No. 1.
- "His resume speaks for itself," Colts coach Shane Steichen said of Gardner. "To get a guy into the building like that, it just elevates everybody around us," Steichen added. "So we're really excited to add him to the fold."
How to watch: The game kicks off at 9:30am Sunday on FOX59 and the NFL Network.
- Listen live on 93.5 / 107.5 The Fan, 97.1 HANK and the Ascension St Vincent Radio Network.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Sauce Gardner has been cleared to play in Sunday's game.