It's official: the NFL, one of the most important sports competitions on the planet, will return to Madrid in 2026. And once again, it will take place at the Bernabéu, its home in Spain. This return is part of a multi-year agreement with the Madrid City Council, the Community of Madrid, and Real Madrid C.F., which will kick off with the NFL regular season in 2026.
The announcement comes following the success of the first regular season game played at the Bernabéu in 2025, a Miami Dolphins–Washington Commanders matchup that solidified the venue as one of the world's leading multipurpose venues, even for events beyond football. The Bernabéu's ability to transform and adapt to global formats was crucial: the venue was converted in record time into a stadium ready to host an NFL event, meeting its technical requirements and the logistical and safety standards demanded by a top-tier competition.
"Madrid is ready for anything," stated Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, during the institutional event held today at the Bernabéu, which served to formalize the agreement between the Community of Madrid, the Madrid City Council, Real Madrid C.F., and the NFL.
Meanwhile, the mayor emphasized that "the return of one of the most prestigious and widely followed sports competitions in the world strengthens Madrid's international positioning as one of the great global capitals of sport."
Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid's director of institutional relations, noted that
"the transformation of the Bernabéu stadium represents a great boost for sports to continue being a unifying force among millions of fans across all continents," an idea echoed by Rafael de los Santos, CEO of NFL Spain, who highlighted that "the NFL Madrid Game 2025 at the Bernabéu was a key moment for sports in Spain, and we are delighted to return."
With this new agreement, the Bernabéu establishes itself as a key venue for the NFL in Europe and helps strengthen its presence in Spain, a priority market for the league globally, with 11 million fans. Furthermore, the return will allow Madrid to shine once again before an international audience, demonstrating its ability to host major events on par with the world's great capitals. The partnership with the NFL also reinforces the region's commitment to innovation, with the Bernabéu as one of its most visible expressions.
In 2026, the goal will be to further enhance the experience and once again open the doors of the Bernabéu to all those who want to witness firsthand the impact of a venue designed for major occasions.
