the Miami Dolphins It will travel to Europe in 2025. The franchise revealed on Friday that it is the team selected by the NFL to play in the league's first-ever game in Madrid, Spain.
NFL He did not immediately provide a date for the game, but it will be played 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 the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the old home of FC Barcelona. Real Madrid Football Club. The venue features a football field that is set back to make way for a field that could be used for American football. The stadium has a capacity of just over 78,000 spectators.
“We are thrilled to play our inaugural NFL game in Spain, a country with rich history, tradition and passion and home to the Dolphins’ vibrant fan base,” Tom Garfinkel, Dolphins president and CEO, said in a statement.
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The NFL logo before a 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 thirst for soccer in this market, and we are proud to join the NFL in growing the game internationally while engaging with fans both old and new. With the unique synergy between Miami and Madrid, we believe this is just the beginning.” For us in this fantastic region, 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 selection to play in Madrid less than a year after the NFL announced it would host a game at the Bernabeu at some point during 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 on July 23, 2007, in Madrid, Spain. (Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
“The exciting first-ever match 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 president of Europe and Asia Pacific.
Next season's game will be the Dolphins' eighth on the international stage. The Dolphins are 2-5 in games played outside the U.S., with Miami's last appearance coming in 2023, when they faced the Dolphins. Kansas City Chiefs In Germany.
Football before the NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt, Germany, November 5, 2023. (Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images)
The NFL has been aggressively expanding its global footprint in search of new fans and new revenue sources. Partnering with one of the most successful football clubs in the world is a bonus for the brand.
Emilio Butragueño, Director of Corporate Relations at Real Madrid, said: “This partnership with the NFL will bring one of the most prestigious sporting competitions in the world to the Santiago Bernabéu, a stadium that has welcomed millions of passionate fans from all over the world to enjoy amazing sporting experiences.” .
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The NFL can schedule up to eight regular-season games at the international level next season. In addition to the game In SpainLondon is scheduled to host three matches, while one match will be held in Germany.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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