Historic NFL Debut in Spain Set for November 2025
The National Football League (NFL) is poised to make a historic entry into the Spanish market, with its first-ever regular season game scheduled to take place in Madrid on Sunday, November 16, 2025. The matchup will feature the Washington Commanders against the Miami Dolphins at the renowned Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid C.F. This event marks a significant milestone in the NFL's ongoing efforts to expand its global presence and fan base.
Game Details and Teams
The highly anticipated contest will kick off at 3:30 PM CEST local Madrid time, corresponding to 9:30 AM EST. The Miami Dolphins have been designated as the home team for this inaugural Spanish game. Both teams arrive with their own narratives; the Commanders will be looking to secure a win in international play, while the Dolphins aim to improve their international game record.
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium: A World-Class Venue
The game will be held at the recently renovated Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, a venue known for its rich history and modern amenities. The stadium, which serves as the home ground for Spanish football giant Real Madrid C.F., underwent a substantial renovation costing nearly $2 billion, completed in 2024. This upgrade has increased its capacity to over 83,000 spectators, making it one of the largest and most advanced stadiums in Europe. The Bernabéu features a retractable roof and a unique underground field storage system, ensuring optimal playing conditions.
NFL's Expanding International Series
Madrid becomes the fourth European city to host an official NFL regular season game, following successful events in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Ireland. This game is part of the NFL's expanded International Series for the 2025 season, which includes a record seven international games, underscoring the league's commitment to reaching new audiences worldwide. The NFL's Global Markets Program, under which the Dolphins hold exclusive marketing rights in Spain, plays a crucial role in facilitating such international ventures. Leading up to the game, a series of fan events and experiences are planned across Madrid, aiming to immerse local and visiting fans in American football culture.
5 Comments
Habibi
It's exciting to see the NFL reach new markets and potentially create new fans, but I hope this doesn't come at the expense of the domestic game experience. Traditional fan engagement is crucial.
Mariposa
Santiago Bernabéu is an incredible venue. This game will be epic!
Bella Ciao
Are there even enough real fans in Spain to fill that massive stadium?
Bermudez
Another ridiculously early kickoff for East Coast fans. It's getting old.
Coccinella
Dilutes the home-field advantage. It's unfair to the teams involved.