In a groundbreaking move, the NFL has officially announced its inaugural regular-season game in Spain for the 2025 season.
The fixture is set to take place at Real Madrid’s recently renovated Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, marking the league’s continued expansion into global markets.
This announcement comes shortly after confirming a game in Brazil for the upcoming season.
The NFL will hold its first game in Spain at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in 2025
Real Madrid’s recently renovated stadium includes a fully retractable pitch that can be stored beneath the stadium with the push of a button.
The storage space includes ventilation, air conditioning,… pic.twitter.com/PC5iWWmljX
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) February 9, 2024
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed the significance of this move, stating, “Playing a game in Madrid in 2025 highlights the continued expansion of the league’s global footprint and the accelerated ambitions to take our game to more fans around the world.” He also emphasized pride in the partnership with Real Madrid C.F., a renowned global brand, as well as the collaboration with the City of Madrid and Comunidad de Madrid, to bring a spectacular regular-season game to Spain at the world-class Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
🏈 ¡LA @NFL LLEGA AL BERNABÉU! 🏟️@MundoNFL | #NFLMadridGame pic.twitter.com/EaIpGHxdNt
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 9, 2024
This historic event adds to the fifty regular-season NFL games played internationally throughout the league’s history, with previous host cities including London, Munich, Frankfurt, Mexico City, and Toronto. The choice of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium signifies the NFL’s commitment to reaching a broader audience and establishing a stronger presence on the global stage.