The NFL has confirmed a multi‑year commitment to stage regular season games at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium from 2026
The NFL has cemented Madrid as its newest long-term international market, confirming a multi-year agreement to stage regular season games at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium from 2026 onwards.
The deal, announced today (February 2) follows the league’s first-ever regular season game in Spain in 2025, which sold out the newly redeveloped Bernabéu and marked a significant milestone in the NFL’s European expansion strategy.
Rafa De Los Santos, NFL Spain Country Manager, described the inaugural game as “a pivotal moment for the sport in Spain,” adding that the new agreement “underlines our commitment to the market and enables us to continue to engage fans year-round and invest long-term in initiatives like NFL Flag and youth participation nationwide.”
Real Madrid Director of Institutional Relations Emilio Butragueño said hosting the NFL again reflects the club’s ambition to position the Bernabéu as a global multi-sport venue. “This new agreement will allow the alliance between our club, the Community of Madrid, the City Council and the NFL to continue, strengthening the image of our capital and the Spanish brand around the world,” he said.
Spain has emerged as a priority market for the league, with an estimated 11 million fans and growing interest driven by the Global Markets Program. The Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins all hold commercial rights in the country, enabling club‑led fan engagement and brand-building.
The NFL is also using Spain as a key development hub for flag football ahead of its Olympic debut at LA28. NFL Flag launched in Spanish schools in 2024 and is expanding nationwide in partnership with the Federación Española de Fútbol Americano (FEFA).
Madrid’s inclusion forms part of a wider 2026 international slate that spans four continents. Confirmed fixtures include games in Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Munich and three in London, alongside the Bernabéu matchup.
The move signals the NFL’s intention to deepen its footprint in Europe beyond its established UK and German bases, with Madrid now positioned as a recurring stop on the league’s global calendar.
