The Miami Dolphins will travel to Europe in 2025. On Friday, the team revealed that it was the team selected by the NFL to play in the league's first game in Madrid, Spain.
The NFL did not immediately provide a game date, but the game will be played 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 Bernabeu, Real Madrid's long-time home. The venue features a football field that retracts to make way for a field that can be used for American football. The stadium has a capacity of over 78,000 people.
"We are excited to play our first NFL game in Spain, a country rich in history, tradition and passion," Dolphins president and CEO Tom Garfinkel said in a statement. , and is home to a vibrant Dolphins fan base.”
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The NFL logo before the game between the Green Bay Packers and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on December 25, 2022. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
"This market is hungry for football and we are proud to work with the NFL to grow the game internationally while engaging with fans old and new. With the unique synergy between Miami and Madrid, we believe this is just the beginning for our country." An incredible region and we look forward to bringing the excitement and community of Dolphin football to Spain in 2025 and beyond.”
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Less than a year after the NFL announced it would host a game at the Santiago Bernabeu sometime during the 2025 season, the Dolphins announced their choice to play in Madrid. The Dolphins also have international marketing rights to Spain as part of the league's global marketing plan.
Aerial view of Real Madrid Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, July 23, 2007. (Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Brett Gosper, head of NFL Europe and Asia Pacific, said: “This exciting first game in Spain highlights the NFL’s continued commitment to expanding its global reach and reaching new audiences around the world. ”
Next season's game will be the Dolphins' eighth appearance on the international stage. The Dolphins are 2-5 outside the United States, with Miami's last appearance coming in 2023 when they faced the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany.
A football game before the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany on November 5, 2023. (Kiril Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
The NFL has been aggressively expanding its global footprint in an effort to find new fans and revenue streams. Partnering with one of the most successful football clubs in the world is a brand asset.
Emilio Butragueño, Director of Institutional Relations at Real Madrid, said: “The partnership with the NFL will bring one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, which has already welcomed several players from all over the world. Millions of passionate fans, allowing them to enjoy an incredible sporting experience.”
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The NFL can schedule up to eight international regular-season games next season. As well as the matches in Spain, London will host three matches and one will be held in Germany.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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