Palm Beach, Fla. – The Indianapolis Colts will expand their footprint outside of the United States for a second time with a focus on growing American football and the Colts brand in Switzerland, Colts officials announced today.
This will be the third country, along with fellow DACH markets Germany and Austria, in which the Colts will operate internationally. Switzerland is located adjacent to both nations.
The Colts announced their plan to expand internationally after joining the NFL's Global Markets Program (GMP) in 2024. GMP grants NFL clubs access to international markets as part of a long-term effort to drive NFL fan growth beyond the United States.
Each spring, NFL clubs apply to the league for rights to pursue marketing, fan engagement, commercial activations and more in selected international markets. Clubs then are awarded rights for at least five years, during which they can pursue activities in that market similar to what they do in their home market.
Future plans in Switzerland include introducing fan engagement, business development and other marketing initiatives; building access to Colts broadcasts; promoting opportunities for young people to learn and participate in the game, including growing flag football, and more.
"As American football continues to grow around the world, we again are excited to extend Colts Nation overseas and engage with the fans, businesses and people of Switzerland," said Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay. "Along with our work in Germany and Austria over the past year, this will be another excellent opportunity for the Colts and the NFL to welcome new fans and grow our game in the heart of Europe."
In addition to numerous existing ties to Germany and Austria, Indiana ranks second among U.S. states in total imports from Switzerland and fourth among U.S. states in total exports to Switzerland. The Colts played their first game in Germany in 2023, defeating the New England Patriots in Frankfurt, and are set to host the first-ever regular season NFL game in Berlin in 2025.
What's more, the Colts will continue to work with Bjoern Werner, former Colts linebacker and the team's official Ambassador in Germany and Austria, and his media company Bromance Sports to engage fans, customers and businesses in Switzerland as well.
"In just one year, we've already seen the growth of and passion for American football throughout Germany and Austria, and now we're poised to keep this excitement building in Switzerland," said Werner, also an NFL expert for RTL on German Free TV. "With the Colts now entering the Swiss market, we'll have many more opportunities to grow the Colts brand and bring more American football to fans in the DACH region."
For more Info and content about the Colts international program, visit Colts.com/International.
