The Miami Dolphins will play within the NFL’s first-ever regular-season recreation in Spain when Madrid hosts a matchup subsequent season at iconic Bernabéu Stadium, the league introduced Friday.
The Dolphins would be the designated “residence” group at Actual Madrid ‘s venue, which encompasses a soccer pitch that retracts to make approach for a subject that can be utilized for American soccer. It has a capability of simply over 78,000.
“We’re thrilled to play the NFL’s inaugural recreation in Spain, a rustic of wealthy historical past, custom and keenness and residential to a vibrant Dolphins fanbase,” stated Tom Garfinkel, the Dolphins’ vice chairman, president and CEO.
The date of the sport and Miami’s opponent shall be introduced this spring.
¡Nos vemos en Madrid! 🇪🇸
We shall be internet hosting the NFL’s first recreation in Madrid subsequent season. pic.twitter.com/vfBltXlzkR
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) January 17, 2025
The Dolphins and the Chicago Bears maintain advertising and marketing rights in Spain as a part of the league’s international markets program, which permits groups to carry occasions and signal industrial offers in these areas.
“The thrilling first-ever recreation in Spain underlines the NFL’s continued dedication to increasing its international footprint and reaching new audiences the world over,” stated Brett Gosper, the league’s head of Europe and APAC.
Miami missed the playoffs this season after going 8-9.
The Dolphins are 2-5 in video games performed outdoors the USA and have misplaced their previous 4 worldwide video games, principally just lately in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2023, after they misplaced 21-14 to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Miami has performed 5 instances in London and as soon as in Toronto.
Miami’s 2025 schedule options residence video games towards its AFC East rivals — the Buffalo Payments, New England Patriots and New York Jets — in addition to the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders.
The NFL has been aggressively increasing its international footprint in the hunt for new followers and income streams. Partnering with probably the most profitable soccer golf equipment on the earth is a branding bonanza.
“This partnership with the NFL will convey one of many world’s most prestigious sporting competitions to the Santiago Bernabéu, a stadium which has welcomed hundreds of thousands of passionate followers from across the globe to get pleasure from unbelievable sporting experiences,” stated Actual Madrid institutional relations director Emilio Butragueño.
Bernabéu, situated within the coronary heart of the Spanish capital, is a number one candidate to host the ultimate of the 2030 World Cup.
As of the 2025 season, the NFL can schedule as much as eight league-operated regular-season video games internationally.
London will stage three video games subsequent season — two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one at Wembley Stadium. The Jets and Cleveland Browns are the house groups at Tottenham; and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley.
Berlin may also host a regular-season recreation for the primary time with the Indianapolis Colts the house group at Olympic Stadium.
Final September, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Inexperienced Bay Packers 34-29 in Sao Paulo, Brazil — within the NFL’s first recreation in South America.
League commissioner Roger Goodell stated in October that Rio de Janeiro might additionally host a recreation, and he added that there is “little doubt” that Eire will get one quickly.
The league stated final 12 months it’s also taking a look at Australia as a possible host sooner or later.
