TAMPA, Fla. — Bucs nation is making its mark around the world after the team announced the first German market partnership in team history with Discover Airlines.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' new partnership makes it the first professional sports team to have a multi-year agreement with the Germany-based airline.
"It's a special day for all of us. And it's a special day for our Buccaneer fans," team owner Bryan Glazer said during a press conference at Tampa International Airport.
The Tampa Bay area's NFL team has held the rights to market in Germany since 2021 as part of the NFL’s International Home Marketing Areas program.
The Bucs would go on to make their Germany debut against the Seattle Seahawks in the first NFL regular season game back in 2022.
"Playing there in-person and seeing how much they knew, understand and love the NFL, it was awesome," Glazer said.
This summer marked the beginning of nonstop flights to Frankfurt, operating six times a week.
Officials say the partnership will strengthen the bond between the Tampa Bay area, the Bucs and their growing fan base in Germany.
"It's like home for us," Discover Airlines Chief Executive Officer Bernd Bauer said.
Bauer explained during Monday's press conference that there are over 3.9 million NFL fans in Germany, with around 200,000 representing Bucs Nation.
"I'm sure with this cooperation, we will make it in no time to more than a million," he added.
Visit Tampa Bay CEO Santiago Corrada said there has been a 116% growth year-over-year in visitors from Germany.
"Our job is to make sure that those planes are full, and we take that job very, very seriously," he said.
In a news release from the team, officials say a German influencer content series will be created to offer behind-the-scenes gameday experiences.
Bucs fans who choose to wear team merchandise on a Discover flight will be eligible for in-flight surprises and treats.
