The Miami Dolphins will travel to Europe in 2025. On Friday, the franchise revealed that they were the team selected by the NFL to play the league’s first 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 former home of Real Madrid CF. The place has a soccer field that retracts to make way for a field that can be used for American football. The stadium has a capacity for just over 78,000 people.
“We are thrilled to play the inaugural NFL game in Spain, a country of rich history, tradition and passion and home to a vibrant Dolphins fan base,” Dolphins President and CEO Tom Garfinkel said in a statement. a statement.
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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 to grow the game internationally while engaging with new and old fans alike. With the unique synergy between Miami and Madrid, we believe this is just the start. “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 Bernabéu Stadium sometime during the 2025 season. The Dolphins also own international marketing rights in Spain as part of the Global League Markets.
An aerial view of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium on July 23, 2007, in Madrid, Spain. (Ángel Martínez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
“The exciting first game in Spain underscores the NFL’s continued commitment to expanding its global footprint and reaching new audiences around the world,” said Brett Gosper, league director for Europe and APAC.
Next season’s game will mark the Dolphins’ eighth on the international stage. The Dolphins are 2-5 in games played outside the U.S., with Miami’s most recent 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 Nov. 5, 2023. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
The NFL has been aggressively expanding its global presence in search of new fans and revenue streams. Partnering with one of the most successful football clubs in the world is a branding bonanza.
“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 will host three matches, while one will be played in Germany.
