Home
The National Football League (NFL) is making its return to Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu as it plans to expand the league outside America. The first NFL regular-season game was in Spain when the Washington Commanders defeated the Miami Dolphins 16-13 in overtime at the home stadium of the Spanish football club.
Following the success, the league is planningto increase the number of international games to a point where each team will get to play a game abroad every year. The 2025-26 season is coming to an end with just one game left. The New England Patriots will fight for the Super Bowl title against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara on February 8.
NFL returns to Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu; here is all you need to know
The season will come to an end when either of the teams wins the Lombradi Trophy, and with this, the NFL has already announced its return to Madrid in 2026 as part of a multiyear agreement with the Spanish capital and Real Madrid. Hence, the league will play more regu,lar-season games in the Spanish capital.
Which means the iconic Bernabeu stadium will once again serve as the staging ground when the upcoming season begins. According to Rafa De Los Santos, the NFL's country manager for Spain:
"The 2025 NFL Madrid game at the Bernabéu was a pivotal moment for the sport in Spain, and we are delighted to confirm that we will return to play a regular season game in 2026 in a multi-year partnership with the City of Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, and Real Madrid C.F.”
Meanwhile, the Bernabeu has undergone a massive renovation, making it one of the best stadiums in the world at a cost of more than 1 billion Euros. While Madrid, alongside Rio de Janeiro, Munich, and Melbourne, Australia, have one match apiece, London will host three games. It will be part of the 2026 International Series, while 10 international games are allowed as per the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
ALSO READ: Who is Mike LaFleur? Meet the new head coach of Arizona Cardinals
ADVERTISEMENT
