The Miami Dolphins will travel to Europe in 2025. On Friday, the franchise revealed it was the team selected by the NFL to play in the league's first game in Madrid, Spain.
The NFL did not immediately release a date for the game, but it is expected to be held during the 2025 regular season. The Dolphins' opponent will also be announced at a later date.
The Dolphins will be designated the “home” team at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, the longtime home of Real Madrid CF. The venue has a soccer field that can be used for American football, which will be vacated to make room. The stadium has a capacity of just over 78,000 people.
“We are excited to play our first NFL game in Spain, a country with rich history, tradition, passion and home to a vibrant Dolphins fan base,” Dolphins President and CEO Tom Garfinkel said in a statement. I'm excited.''
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NFL logo before the game between the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“There is a hunger for soccer in this market, and we are proud to work with the NFL to grow the game internationally while engaging with fans old and new alike. With this impact, we believe this is just the beginning.''For us in this great region, we look forward to bringing the excitement and community of Dolphins football to Spain in 2025 and beyond. ”
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Less than a year after the NFL announced it would host games at Bernabeu Stadium at some point during the 2025 season, the Dolphins announced their choice to play in Madrid. The Dolphins also have international marketing rights in Spain as part of the league's Global Markets Program.
Aerial view of Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on July 23, 2007 in Madrid, Spain. (Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
“This exciting first-ever game in Spain underscores the NFL’s continued efforts to expand its global footprint and reach new audiences around the world,” said the league’s head of Europe and APAC. Brett Gosper said.
Next season's game will be the Dolphins' eighth appearance on the international stage. The Dolphins are 2-5 in games played outside the United States, with Miami's most recent appearance coming in Germany in 2023 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Football 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 aggressively expanded its global footprint in search of new fans and revenue sources. Partnering with one of the most successful football clubs in the world is a huge coup for the brand.
“This partnership with the NFL brings one of the world's most prestigious sporting competitions to the Santiago Bernabéu. This stadium welcomes millions of enthusiastic fans from around the world and is an incredible venue. ,” said Real Madrid's Head of Institutional Relations Emilio Butragueño. .
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The NFL can schedule up to eight regular-season games overseas next season. In addition to the matches in Spain, three matches will be held in London and one in Germany.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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