Mariucci: Melbourne and Munich getting 'two of our best teams' in 2026

The Detroit Lions face a historic assignment of their own, travelling to the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, to face the New England Patriots in Week 10.

Steve Mariucci is uniquely positioned to understand exactly what the 49ers and Lions have to offer international fans, having served as the head coach of San Francisco from 1997-2002 and Detroit from 2003-2005.

As his former teams prepare to put on a show, NFL Network's Mariucci explained what's driving the NFL's global growth and what it means for fans and teams alike.

Mariucci on the NFL's global expansion

There are a record nine international games on the 2026 schedule. Evidence, Mariucci says, that the plans to take the game global are right on track.

"Roger Goodell is trying to increase the NFL's fan bases around the globe, and he's doing a heck of a job doing that," he told DAZN News, courtesy of casino.org.

For 'Mooch,' breaking ground Down Under is a crucial next step.

"Playing games in Melbourne, Australia, will put a lot more eyeballs on the game, and it will hopefully create fans from that part of the world. It's fantastic."

"They're two really good teams and those games sell out quickly, it's like 'boom' and the tickets have gone because of the popularity of this gladiator sport that we love."

What fans in Melbourne and Munich can expect

Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos / Stringer

While Mariucci expects a strong US presence in the crowds at both games, he's just as excited about bringing the sport to new fans.

"I expect a lot of Americans will come over, bring the vibe, and make a memorable trip of it when they go to those games, but there are a lot of people that are local that want to experience NFL football in person.

"When you see this crazy sport, with all the pads on, all the hitting, and all of the new rules, in person, it's a crazy atmosphere, and they'll all enjoy it. It's different when you're at the game. It's a totally unique experience."

Lions and 49ers: "Two of our best"

Detroit finished 9-8 in 2025, and San Francisco fell to the Seahawks in the Divisional round, but both teams battled through more than their fair share of injuries.

Both are among the bookmakers' favourites to reach the postseason in 2026.

"The Lions and the Niners are two of our best teams," Mariucci said, "We like putting our best foot forward when we're showcasing the NFL abroad.

"Both teams are Super Bowl contenders, and so there's going to be a great deal of interest in this game. But ultimately this will create more Lions and Niners fans."

The downside of NFL international games

While the international games offer massive upside for all involved, Mariucci acknowledged one of the few drawbacks.

"The only thing I would say is when a team plays abroad, the season ticket holders for the home games are often missing out," he said.

"They say 'hey, wait a minute, we're getting screwed over from seeing games.' They pay a good amount of money for season tickets, and then they can't go to certain games because they're abroad.

"But that's the price you pay for expanding the fan base globally, and they must accept that for the good of the team."

Watch every game of the 2026 NFL season only on DAZN

The 2026 NFL season is fast approaching, including nine international games, and you can catch every snap on DAZN.

Enjoy an unmatched viewing experience with an NFL Game Pass subscription, which includes incredible features such as RedZone, NFL Network, Game in 40, Sunday in 60, Multiview, and more.

With prices starting from £179.99 per year or £16.99 per month, you can catch every twist, turn, and touchdown live or on-demand, from Week 1 to the Super Bowl.

And with every preseason game available live and free, it's the perfect chance to experience everything NFL Game Pass has to offer.

Sign up for Game Pass on DAZN now and get your front-row seat to the 2026 season.