The Miami Dolphins will travel to Europe in 2025. On Friday, the franchise revealed that it was the team selected by the NFL to play the league’s first-ever game in Madrid, Spain.
The NFL did not immediately provide a date for the game, but it will take place during the 2025 regular season. The Dolphins’ opponent will also be announced at a later date.
The Dolphins will be the designated “home” team at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the long-time home of Real Madrid CF. The site includes a football field which retracts to make way for a field that can be used for American football. The stadium has a capacity of just over 78,000.
“We are thrilled to play the inaugural NFL game in Spain, a country rich in history, tradition and passion and home to a vibrant Dolphins fan base,” said Dolphins Chairman and CEO Tom Garfinkel, in a press release.
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The NFL logo before a 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 football in this market and we are proud to join the NFL in growing this game internationally while engaging with old and new fans. 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 selection 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 hold international marketing rights in Spain as part of the league’s global markets program.
An aerial view of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium on July 23, 2007, in Madrid, Spain. (Ange Martínez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
“This exciting first-ever game in Spain highlights the NFL’s continued commitment to expanding its global presence and reaching new audiences around the world,” said Brett Gosper, league 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 United States, with Miami’s last appearance coming in 2023, when they faced the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany.
A football before an NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany on November 5, 2023. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
The NFL has aggressively expanded its global presence in search of new fans and new revenue streams. Partnering with one of the most successful football clubs in the world is a branding boon.
“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 around the world to enjoy incredible sporting experiences,” said Emilio Butragueño, director of institutional relations of Real Madrid. .
The NFL can schedule up to eight regular season games internationally next season. In addition to the match in Spain, London is scheduled to host three matches, while one match will be played in Germany.
