LAS VEGAS — The NFL is headed to Spain in 2025 for the primary regular-season sport ever in that nation.
The league introduced Friday on the website of the Tremendous Bowl that its worldwide slate of video games for the 2025 season will function a sport at Actual Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
“We couldn’t be extra excited to carry the very best of the NFL, the very best of our groups and star gamers to the greater than 13 million passionate followers in Spain and associate with one of many best international soccer golf equipment in Actual Madrid in a very world-class and modern stadium,” mentioned Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s head of worldwide affairs.
The groups that can play in that sport shall be introduced at a later date, however O’Reilly mentioned the host group would seemingly be from the AFC as a result of groups in that convention can have an additional house sport that season.
“There’s not a scarcity of curiosity for groups taking part in in Madrid with our associate Actual Madrid,” O’Reilly mentioned.
The NFL has been increasing its worldwide presence in recent times, with homeowners voting in December to authorize the league to host eight video games internationally every season.
Actual Madrid was aggressive about stepping into the combo.
“I want to specific our deepest gratitude to you and to let you understand that it’s a nice honor for Actual Madrid to host this worldwide occasion with the NFL over the subsequent few years in our stadium,” mentioned Emilio Butragueño, Madrid’s director of institutional relations. “For us, you’re a mannequin of administration and an incredible touring companion with whom to share our goals.”
Within the 2024 season, the NFL can have three video games in London — together with a house sport for the Jacksonville Jaguars — together with one in Germany and the primary sport ever in Brazil.
The NFL has additionally hosted a number of video games in Mexico Metropolis and plans to return there in 2026 following the World Cup that yr after renovations are completed at Azteca Stadium.
O’Reilly mentioned the NFL is different potential nations to host a sport sooner or later, together with France.