The Miami Dolphins will make history in 2025 by playing in the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Spain. The Dolphins have been selected as the designated team for the landmark NFL Madrid game, set to take place at the renowned Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to Real Madrid C.F.
The game, which marks the NFL’s ongoing efforts to expand its international footprint, will be hosted in collaboration with the city of Madrid and Comunidad de Madrid. Brett Gosper, the NFL’s head of Europe and APAC, shared his excitement.
“The first-ever game in Spain underscores the NFL’s continued commitment to broadening its global reach and engaging new audiences around the world. The Miami Dolphins playing at the Bernabéu Stadium highlights the global appeal of both the NFL and our sport, creating what will undoubtedly be a historic moment.”
Details regarding the Dolphins’ opponent and the date and time of the game will be disclosed when the entire 2025 NFL schedule is released in the spring. However, the league has already made its presence felt in Spain, where the sport of American football is rapidly gaining traction.
Tom Garfinkel, vice chairman, president, and CEO of the Miami Dolphins, expressed excitement about the game.
“We are thrilled to play in the NFL’s first-ever game in Spain, a country rich in history, passion, and tradition, and home to an enthusiastic Dolphins fanbase,” Garfinkel said. “The demand for football in Spain is growing, and we’re proud to partner with the NFL to foster the international game while engaging both new and longtime fans.”
Alongside the game, the NFL continues to invest in growing the sport at every level in Spain. The Dolphins and the Chicago Bears hold marketing rights in Spain through the league’s Global Markets Program, which aims to build brand awareness and develop fan engagement across the region.
“We’re excited about this partnership with the NFL,” said Emilio Butragueño, the director of institutional relations at Real Madrid. “The NFL’s prestigious competition will now grace the Santiago Bernabéu, a stadium known for its global appeal and unforgettable sporting moments.”
The NFL’s efforts to grow the game in Spain include the launch of the NFL Flag in 2024 in partnership with the Federación Española de Fútbol Americano (FEFA). As flag football progresses toward its Olympic debut at the LA28 Games, the NFL’s grassroots initiatives are helping inspire future generations of players.
In addition to the historic Madrid game, the NFL’s international plans for 2025 include two regular-season games in London, one in Berlin, and more. The Dolphins’ participation in Spain adds to the growing list of NFL games held worldwide, building on a legacy of international outreach that includes 55 regular-season games played globally to date.
The Dolphins have already played in seven international regular-season games, including five in London, one in Frankfurt, and one in Toronto. The 2025 game in Madrid represents a new chapter for the team as they continue to expand their global fanbase, marking the first of what the NFL hopes will be many more international games in Europe and beyond.
