Munich - The NHL and FC Bayern Munich have announced a multiyear partnership to boost hockey's popularity in Germany. Four regular-season games will be held in the country starting in 2026, including two Boston Bruins matches in Munich (2027-28) and two Edmonton Oilers games in Cologne (Draisaitl's hometown). This first-of-its-kind collaboration between a sports league and a club of another sport emerged from six months of negotiations. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly emphasized that Bayern Munich has 60 percent of Germans as fans. The partnership enables co-branding, merchandise, and content development. Bayern's chief marketing officer Rouven Kasper sees synergies: 'We want to work only with the best.' The NHL aims for 1.1 billion followers, while Bayern has 45.2 million Instagram followers. The partnership follows a market analysis that identified Germany as a priority. The NHL plans future outdoor games at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern plays. The focus is on connecting with the German fanbase. Kasper highlighted: 'This is unique – no other league has collaborated with a club like this.'