NFL picks Dolphins for inaugural game in Spain as league’s international streak continues to expand
The Miami Dolphins will travel to Europe in 2025. On Friday, the franchise revealed it was the team selected by the NFL to play in the league’s first game in Madrid, Spain.
NFL did not immediately specify the date of the match, but it will be played during the regular season of 2025. The Delfin opponent will be known later.
The Dolphins will be the designated “home” team at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, their longtime home Real Madrid CF. The site has a soccer field that is being pulled out to make way for a field that can be used for American football. The capacity of the stadium is slightly more than 78,000 spectators.
“We are thrilled to play the NFL’s first game in Spain, a country rich in history, tradition and passion and home to a vibrant Dolphins fan base,” Dolphins president and CEO Tom Garfinkel said in a statement.
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The NFL logo before the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“There is a hunger for soccer in this market and we are proud to join the NFL in expanding the game internationally, attracting fans old and new alike. With the unique synergy between Miami and Madrid, we believe this is just the beginning for us in this incredible region, and we look forward to bringing the excitement and community of Dolphins football to Spain in 2025 and beyond.”
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The Dolphins announced their choice to play in Madrid less than a year after the NFL revealed it would host a game at the Bernabéu Stadium at some point during the 2025 season. The Dolphins also have international marketing rights in Spain as part of the league’s global marketing program.
Aerial view of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium on July 23, 2007 in Madrid, Spain. (Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
“An exciting first-ever game in Spain underscores the NFL’s continued commitment to expanding its global footprint and reaching new audiences around the world,” said Brett Gosper, the league’s head of Europe and APAC.
Next season’s game will mark the Dolphins’ eighth game on the international stage. The Dolphins are 2-5 in games played outside the US, with Miami last appearing in 2023 when they faced Kansas City Chiefs in Germany.
A football before the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs at Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany on November 5, 2023. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
The NFL is aggressively expanding its global footprint in search of new fans and revenue streams. A partnership with one of the most successful football clubs in the world is a wealth of branding.
“This partnership with the NFL will bring one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events to the Santiago Bernabéu, a stadium that has hosted millions of passionate fans from around the world to enjoy incredible sporting experiences,” said Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid’s Director of Institutional Relations.
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The NFL can schedule up to eight international regular season games next season. Except the game in SpainLondon is scheduled to host three matches, while one match will be played in Germany.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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