The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid CF, will be the setting for the historic first regular season match in Spain for the NFL, an event that promises to mark a milestone in global sport. The Miami Dolphins, one of the league’s most iconic teams, have been chosen to host this unprecedented match, which will take place in the Spanish capital in 2025.
Brett Gosper, Director of Europe and APAC for the NFL, did not hide his enthusiasm when announcing the event: “This first match in Spain reflects our firm commitment to the global expansion of the NFL and the capture of new audiences. The Dolphins at the Bernabéu, the home of one of the biggest clubs in the world, demonstrates the universal appeal of our league and the power of this sport internationally.”
For his part, Tom Garfinkel, Vice President, President and CEO of the Miami Dolphins, said: “It is an honor to play the first NFL game in Spain, a country with a rich tradition and passion for sport. There is a growing fan base for American football in this market and we are excited to help bring the excitement of the Dolphins to a new generation of fans in Madrid, a vibrant and energetic city.”
Real Madrid, as host at the historic Bernabéu, also expressed its pride in hosting this international event. Emilio Butragueño, the club’s Director of Institutional Relations, said that this partnership with the NFL will bring “one of the most prestigious competitions in the world to this stadium, a place that has welcomed millions of global fans.”
NFL in Spain: a commitment beyond the game
NFL in Spain: a commitment beyond the game
The announcement of this first regular season game in Spain is just the tip of the iceberg of the NFL’s commitment to the growth of American football in the country. Through its programs, partners and initiatives, the league seeks to consolidate its presence in the Spanish market and attract fans throughout the year.
The Dolphins, along with the Chicago Bears, are part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program, an initiative that allows teams to market themselves beyond the U.S. and strengthen international fan base. In addition, the league has just launched the NFL Flag program in 2024 in collaboration with the Spanish Federation of American Football (FEFA), with the aim of promoting non-contact American football and preparing the ground for the debut of flag football as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles 2028.
As part of this internationalization strategy, the NFL has also officially launched the Instagram account @NFLEspana, a channel dedicated exclusively to the Spanish community, where fans will be able to closely follow the latest news about the NFL Madrid Game 2025, as well as exclusive content about the league.
The NFL’s Global Future
In 2025, the NFL will be able to schedule up to eight international regular-season games, further expanding its global reach. This year, in addition to the game in Madrid, the league will host games in London and Berlin, while the Dolphins, with a rich history of international play, will continue to bring American football to fans around the world.
The 2025 NFL Madrid Game will be a sporting spectacle that goes beyond American football, ushering in a new era for the league in Spain and an opportunity for millions of new fans to fall in love with the sport. If you consider yourself part of that future audience, you can sign up to receive all the game updates at nfl.com/madrid.
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