In 2026, for the first time in a long time, Michigan football won't open the season in the Big House. The Wolverines won't even open the season in the United States.
As Brett McMurphy reported on Friday, Michigan football will head to Germany to open the 2026 season in a Week 0 game against Western Michigan.
“I am excited about the football and educational experience this game could provide for our players,” Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore said via ON3. “We are always looking for unique opportunities to expose our student-athletes to other cultures. In the last 10 years, our program has been to Italy, France, and South Africa, and this game would provide another chance to grow our international fanbase.”
Michigan was expected to host Western Michigan in the 2026 season opener at the Big House. Now the two teams will meet in the 55,000-seat at Deutsche Bank Park in FrankFurt, Germany. The venue has hosted numerous NFL games in the past.
Under Jim Harbaugh, Michigan took multiple trips overseas but did that during the spring or the summer. The Wolverines visited Italy, France, and South Africa. Harbaugh talked extensively about the educational opportunities provided just as Moore did.
Just like the NFL, games in Europe are becoming more of a regular thing. Nebraska and Northwestern opened the season in Europe back in 2022, while Georgia Tech and Florida State did the same thing last season. Kansas State and Iowa State will open the season in Dublin, Ireland, in 2025.
As far as the 2026 schedule, Michigan will play Western Michigan in Germany, before returning to the Big House for a showdown with Oklahoma in Week 2.