The NFL has officially confirmed that the Miami Dolphins will play as the designated team in Spain’s first-ever regular season game.
Hosted at Real Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, this event will be a historic moment for the league. Details on the Dolphins’ opponent, as well as the date and kickoff time, will be announced later this year when the full 2025 NFL schedule is released.
Miami Dolphins Vice Chairman, President, and CEO Tom Garfinkel expressed his excitement about the growing football culture in Spain.
“We are thrilled to play the NFL’s inaugural game in Spain, a country of rich history, tradition and passion and home to a vibrant Dolphins fanbase,” said Garfinkel.
“There is a hunger for football in this market, and we are proud to join with the NFL in growing the game internationally while engaging with old and new fans alike.
“With the unique synergy between Miami and Madrid, we believe this is only 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.”
As noted by Garfinkel, there are deep connections between Miami and Spain, particularly the city’s strong links to the Hispanic community.
Miami’s cultural ties to Spain, especially Madrid, make the Dolphins a strategic choice for this event. This selection by the NFL signals an opportunity for the Dolphins to leverage their established fanbase in Spain to truly thrive in this new international market.
However, it isn’t only the NFL benefiting from this deal, as stressed by Emilio Butragueño, Institutional Relations Director at Real Madrid.
He stated: “This partnership with the NFL will bring one of the world’s most prestigious sporting competitions to the Santiago Bernabéu, a stadium which has welcomed millions of passionate fans from around the globe to enjoy incredible sporting experiences”
In addition to the game in Spain, the NFL says it is committed to growing the sport at every level in the country. The league plans to engage with fans year-round through various partners, programmes and initiatives aimed at building a deeper connection with the Spanish audience.
As part of the NFL’s Global Markets Programme, the Dolphins, alongside the Chicago Bears, hold marketing rights in Spain. This initiative allows teams to expand their brand and fan base internationally by engaging with fans through events, fan engagement activities and commercial opportunities.
Furthermore, the league’s efforts to further strengthen its presence in the country include the recent launch of NFL Flag, the official non-contact football programme, in collaboration with the Federación Española de Fútbol Americano (FEFA).
Brett Gosper, Head of Europe and APAC at the NFL, commented: “The exciting first-ever game in Spain underlines the NFL’s continued commitment to expanding its global footprint and reaching new audiences across the world.
“The Miami Dolphins playing at the Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid C.F., showcases the global appeal of the league and of our sport, in what promises to be a historic moment.”
The NFL has a long history of playing regular season games outside the US, with past games held in London, England for over 10 years, and in Sao Paulo, Brazil last year.
However, the league is stepping up its global expansion efforts for 2025. Just this week, the NFL announced the Indianapolis Colts as one of the teams to play in the first-ever regular season game in Berlin, Germany.