Munich highlights and observations

[PanthersATL]

In no particular order:

If you ever have an opportunity to attend an international series game, do it. Do it. Do it.

Euuropeans seem to embrace/love NFL football and can't get enough. They all of their own favorite teams, but will support whichever is playing that week. Overheard a lot of "we like [team name] but this week we cheer for Panthers!!!"

They were amazed Americans would spend $$ to go to Europe to watch a game

Former Players (from all different teams) were everywhere and mostly accessible. Wandering around in Plazas, bar appearances, Fan Fest.... Smitty was almost as enthusiastic about meeting fans as they were meeting him

It definitely felt like a Panthers home game, considering the high level of Panthers banners etc around town, and the number of fans sporting Panthers merch

BOA stadium (and others) need more crowd singalongs. Germany loves singalongs at their stadiums

Post-game bathroom lines were stupid long. Plan accordingly

[Captroop]

1 hour ago, PanthersATL said:

BOA stadium (and others) need more crowd singalongs. Germany loves singalongs at their stadiums

This. I've been getting into EPL the last 2 years, and man, nothing matches the atmosphere of a European soccer match. Fight songs, chants, taunts. The stands are never silent. I would love to see this embraced in American football.

[Ricky Spanish]

45 minutes ago, Captroop said:

This. I've been getting into EPL the last 2 years, and man, nothing matches the atmosphere of a European soccer match. Fight songs, chants, taunts. The stands are never silent. I would love to see this embraced in American football.

I would absolutely LOVE the singalong stuff to hit football here in america, but only when our offense isn't on the field. I think that's the big reason it's not encouraged as much over here.

[PanthersATL]

3 minutes ago, Ricky Spanish said:

I would absolutely LOVE the singalong stuff to hit football here in america, but only when our offense isn't on the field. I think that's the big reason it's not encouraged as much over here.

The "country roads" fans wanted to sing to the end of the song, no matter how long it took

[Candler Cat]

55 minutes ago, Captroop said:

This. I've been getting into EPL the last 2 years, and man, nothing matches the atmosphere of a European soccer match. Fight songs, chants, taunts. The stands are never silent. I would love to see this embraced in American football.

When we were in section 548 you could hear folks chanting and singing occasionally in a section to the left of us, just couldn't hear it well enough to join in

that would have been in the south side corner

[PanthersATL]

One more observation: 

Over here, we tend to mock people who wear "wrong" jerseys to a particular game. Think of the random Chiefs jersey spotted at the Panthers training camp, or a Dallas fan showing up to a PIT-BAL game

In Europe, the fans of (whatever team) are happy to be surrounded by other NFL fans, and happy to attend any NFL game at all, no matter who's playing. We saw jerseys from pretty much every other team present around town and at the stadium

Because they have so few opportunities to cheer their own team live in person, they take every opportunity to celebrate NFL in general, even if it means wearing "the wrong" jersey for an international game. Those fans are excited just to watch football, no matter who is playing

[MickMixon'sMetaphors]

Very cool perspective, thanks for sharing.

Aside, my family and I took our first international trip last year.  Went to England and Scotland for two weeks.  We have never been out of the states (I'm 47 btw).

We came away changed in our perspective of the people here in the US.  The people in the UK were so polite, genuine, and helpful and we weren't only in tourist areas.  We were in the country quite a bit - I rented a car and drove a lot through all the isles of Scotland.  Anyway, now we're considering relocating there (if able) one day.  My oldest daughter, who is a junior at Clemson majoring in Vet Science, now wants to apply to Vet School in Edinburgh, Scotland (not to mention it's a FRACTION of the cost of US vet schools).  When I asked others, they basically said that most people in Europe are like that and the US is just...different.

There are tradeoffs living in Europe (roads, hospitals, prices, WALMART), but the people...amazing.

All that to say, yes if you can get to an international game, go for it!  I think I'll add it to my bucket list too!

[HaricotVert]

The excitement of the fans/crowd came through in the broadcast and was a HUGE part of making it a great game to watch.