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 in 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 Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the longtime home of Real Madrid CF. The venue has a soccer field that is pulled back 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 NFL’s inaugural game in Spain, a country rich in history, tradition and passion and home to a vibrant Dolphins fan base,” Dolphins President and CEO Tom Garfinkel said in 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, Fla. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“There is a hunger for soccer in this market and we are proud to join the NFL in growing the game internationally while engaging with both old and new fans. With the unique synergy between Miami and Madrid, we believe that 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 choice to play in Madrid less than a year after the NFL revealed it would host a game at the Bernabéu Stadium at some point in the 2025 season. The Dolphins also have international marketing rights in Spain as part of the league’s Global Markets Program.
An aerial view of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium July 23, 2007 in Madrid, Spain. (Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
“The exciting first-ever game in Spain underscores the NFL’s continued commitment to expanding its global footprint and reaching new audiences around the world,” said Brett Gosper, the league’s head of 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 United States, with Miami’s last appearance coming in 2023 when they took on the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany.
A football before an NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs at Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany, November 5, 2023. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
The NFL has aggressively expanded its global footprint in pursuit 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 world’s most prestigious sports competitions to the Santiago Bernabéu, a stadium that has welcomed millions of passionate fans from around the globe to enjoy incredible sporting experiences,” said Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid’s Director of Institutional Relations. .
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.
