“With the 134th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Kendal Daniels from Oklahoma.” This was the moment when Real Madrid C.F. ambassador and legend Roberto Carlos announced the name of the player chosen by the Falcons to millions of fans of this sport around the world. And he did so at the Bernabéu, serving as an iconic venue and host of the 2026 NFL Madrid Game, where the Atlanta team will play one of their regular-season games.
This event, in which NFL franchises take turns selecting new college players joining the professional league, is one of the most significant dates of the year for the competition.
The Bernabéu's international positioning in global events
The Bernabéu's presence in a global event like the NFL Draft, broadcast simultaneously in more than 160 countries, strengthens its standing as one of the premier international venues and highlights its ability to host major global sporting and entertainment spectacles.
Furthermore, this milestone is part of the growing connection between the Bernabéu and the NFL, following the impact of the first official NFL game held in Spain, which featured the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders in 2025.
Bernabéu and the NFL: a growing connection
This relationship will continue in 2026 when the Atlanta Falcons compete in the 2026 NFL Madrid Game. This event will further strengthen the bond between the Bernabéu, Madrid, and one of the most followed competitions in the world.
The transformative capacity of the Bernabéu as a competitive advantage
All of this underscores one of the stadium's greatest strengths: its transformative capacity.
The stadium has demonstrated its versatility by adapting in record time to the demanding technical, logistical, and safety standards required by a competition like the NFL, reaffirming its status as a cutting-edge facility.
