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The Miami Dolphins will be the featured team in the first regular season NFL game in Spain, which will take place in Madrid at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid.
The announcement, made by the league on Friday on its Instagram page, marks a milestone in the global expansion of American football.
The stadium, with a capacity of over 78,000 spectators, is getting ready to host this historic event, thanks to its retractable turf that allows it to be adapted for American football.
In this meeting, the Dolphins will be the "home" team, playing in a country that has a growing fan base for the NFL.
Tom Garfinkel, president and CEO of the Dolphins, said he was very excited to be part of this unique event.
"We are excited to play the first NFL opening game in Spain, a country with a rich history and passion for the sport, and home to a vibrant fan base of the Dolphins," he emphasized.
Although the exact date of the game and Miami's opponent will be announced in the spring of 2025, this matchup underscores the NFL's commitment to expanding its global presence.
Additionally, the Dolphins, along with the Chicago Bears, have marketing rights in Spain as part of the league's Global Markets Program, which allows teams to host events and sign commercial agreements in international markets.
Brett Gosper, the NFL's Head of Europe, emphasized that this event reflects the league's ongoing effort to attract new audiences: “The exciting first game in Spain underscores our commitment to expanding our global presence and reaching new fans around the world.”
The game in Madrid is not the only part of the NFL's international plans. For the 2025 season, the league has scheduled up to eight regular season games outside the United States in order to consolidate and expand its presence.
As part of that expansion project, other cities such as London, Berlin, and Sao Paulo will also host NFL games.
Emilio Butragueño, director of institutional relations at Real Madrid, expressed the institution's pride in hosting this event: “This partnership with the NFL will bring one of the most prestigious sporting competitions in the world to the Santiago Bernabéu, a stadium that has welcomed millions of passionate fans from all over the globe.”
Frequently Asked Questions about the First NFL Game in Spain
When and where will the first NFL game be played in Spain?
The first NFL game in Spain will be held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, although the exact date of the game will be announced in the northern spring of 2025.
Why are the Miami Dolphins the "home" team in the NFL game in Spain?
The Miami Dolphins will be the "home" team because they have marketing rights in Spain as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program. This program allows teams to hold events and commercial agreements in international markets. Additionally, Spain has a growing fan base for the Dolphins.
What is the NFL's goal in organizing games outside of the United States?
The NFL's goal is to expand its global presence and attract new audiences. For the 2025 season, the league has scheduled up to eight regular season games outside of the United States, in cities such as London, Berlin, and Sao Paulo, as well as Madrid.
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