Over 350 Big Cats fans travelled with Sports Fans Travel in 2024 to Munich, Germany and partied with Jonathan Stewart before the Carolina Panthers game.
The proof is in this pudding video (tap to unmute):
In November 2024, Sports Fans Travel and the Roaring Riot joined forces to bring 350+ Carolina Panthers faithful to Germany for one of the most ambitious fan trips in the history of either organization. Hosted by Panthers legend Jonathan Stewart, the week was a full cultural immersion — a welcoming lunch of authentic German fare straight off the plane, a day trip to the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle, a Sound of Music tour through Salzburg, lunch and happy hour at the world-famous Hofbrauhaus, a raucous Night Before Party, and an all-inclusive gameday tailgate before watching the Panthers take the field in Munich. For a fanbase that travels like no other, this one set a new standard.
Germany has a way of exceeding expectations — the architecture, the food, the beer, the sheer scale of its history — and this group got to experience it all. The trip took fans through the Bavarian Alps to Neuschwanstein Castle, the real-life inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle, before crossing into Austria for a guided Sound of Music tour through the stunning streets and surroundings of Salzburg. Back in Munich, the group gathered for a group photo at the National Theater before descending on the Hofbrauhaus together — one of the most iconic beer halls in the world — for a lunch and happy hour that only a group of 350+ Panthers fans could pull off. At some point during the afternoon, the traditional polka band playing inside the Hofbrauhaus launched into an impromptu rendition of Sweet Caroline — and what followed was one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip, as 350+ Panthers fans belted out every word together in the middle of a centuries-old German beer hall. By the time the Night Before Party rolled around, the entire city knew the Roaring Riot had arrived.
Gameday in Munich was everything 350+ Panthers fans had been building toward all week. The group loaded buses from the hotel and descended on the tailgate together, with Jonathan Stewart holding court as the beer flowed and the excitement built toward kickoff. When the march to Allianz Arena began, the sea of black and blue cutting through the streets of Munich was a sight to behold — Panthers fans outnumbered, as always on the road, but never outmatched in energy. There's something that can't be replicated about watching your team play on foreign soil — the pride, the electricity, the sense that you're part of something bigger than a regular season game. In Munich, that feeling hit different.
Day 1 – Departure to Germany Flights departed Charlotte as the Sports Fans Travel and Roaring Riot crew officially kicked off a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Bavaria.
Day 2 – Arrival in Munich Touched down in Munich, checked in, and gathered for a welcoming lunch of authentic German fare — potato and horseradish soup, pork roast with dumplings, and dark beer sauce — just a short walk from the hotel.
Day 3 – Neuschwanstein Castle Day Trip A full-day excursion into the Bavarian Alps to tour the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle — the real-life inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle — followed by lunch and a beer in the charming village of Hohenschwangau before heading back to Munich.
Day 4 – Salzburg & Sound of Music Tour Crossed the border into Austria for a four-hour guided Sound of Music tour through the stunning city of Salzburg — the Trapp family home, Mirabell Gardens, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and more — before returning to Munich for the evening.
Day 5 – Hofbrauhaus + Happy Hour + Panthers Bar Group photo at the National Theater, followed by a reserved group lunch and happy hour at the world-famous Hofbrauhaus — authentic German food, liter-sized pints, and 350+ Panthers fans taking over one of Munich's most iconic institutions. Then off to the Panthers' official overseas bar to keep the party going.
Day 6 – Free Day + Night Before Party A free day to explore Munich at your own pace, capped off by the Roaring Riot Night Before Party — one of the most anticipated events of the entire week.
Day 7 – Historic Gameday Buses to the tailgate, an all-inclusive spread with Jonathan Stewart and 350+ of your closest Panthers friends, a march to Allianz Arena, and the Carolina Panthers playing on German soil.
Day 8 – Departure from Munich An early morning sendoff from Munich back to Charlotte, closing out an unforgettable week in Germany.
The Panthers delivered exactly the kind of finish their fans had traveled across the ocean to see. Carolina built a 17-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter behind Chuba Hubbard's punishing 153-yard rushing performance and a Bryce Young touchdown pass to Ja'Tavion Sanders, but the Giants clawed back to tie it on a late Graham Gano field goal with five seconds left in regulation, sending the game to overtime. The atmosphere at Allianz Arena — home of Bayern Munich — was electric throughout, with World Cup-winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer hitting the Panthers' Keep Pounding drum before kickoff and the entire stadium singing along to Take Me Home, Country Roads just as they had at Germany's first NFL game two years prior.
In overtime, the Giants won the coin toss but fumbled on the very first play, with defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson forcing the turnover and Josey Jewell recovering at the 23-yard line. Eddy Pineiro drilled a 36-yard field goal shortly after to give Carolina the 20-17 victory — the Panthers' second consecutive win for the first time all season. For 350+ Panthers fans who had spent a week eating schnitzel, touring castles, and singing Sweet Caroline in a Munich beer hall, watching their team win on German soil made it all that much sweeter. Read the full game recap here.
The hotel was conveniently located near the subway, 10-15 minutes from downtown NFL Experience and the ChampionShip. The staff was fabulous and the food was amazing!
If you are planning a sports trip to anywhere in the world, this is the group to book with. It may be a little pricey but you get what you pay for-great events and wonderful service. My birthday was during this trip and the trip was the best birthday gift.
I would highly recommend traveling with Sports Fans Travel. Included a variety of activities. Lots of planning was done for us. Josh was always available for questions or problems. Great value!
I certainly feel like it was a tour full of experiences and great venues, food and people....I would certainly travel with Sports Fans Travel again. Every event was carefully planned and executed.
