The NFL has confirmed a long-term agreement to host games in Madrid, Spain. The first event will take place in 2026 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid.
This marks the league’s commitment to return to this venue for regular-season games in the coming years. The specific matchups for next fall have not yet been announced.
As reported by Pro Football Talk, the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, and Miami Dolphins hold marketing rights to Madrid as part of the NFL’s international program. Since the Dolphins recently played in Madrid, either the Bears or Chiefs may be primary candidates for next year’s game.
The NFL’s international reach is expanding beyond Madrid. Initially, games were held in London, but the league will now see three games in London, along with one each in France, Melbourne, Australia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Munich, Germany, all scheduled for 2026.
With the introduction of Madrid, the NFL may further expand its European presence. Discussions about a potential four-team European division were reported by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, indicating that the NFL Players Association is weighing the benefits and challenges of establishing teams in Europe.
“Will players be willing to relocate to London, Germany, Spain, or another country?” Florio noted. “Adjusting to a new country brings various issues, including government systems, taxes, cost of living, and language barriers.”
“There’s also the draft to consider. Informing a player who hopes to stay in Pittsburgh that they’re moving to Seattle is one thing, but telling someone from Phoenix that they’re going to Frankfurt is another.”
The NFL previously attempted a European presence through NFL Europe, which operated from 1991 to 2007 under various names. This league aimed to mix American and international teams before evolving into a European league.
Teams were established across the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom, locations that align with the NFL’s current international calendar.