NFL Makes Madrid Move: Miami, Commanders, $77.9M Economic Impact

By Barry Janoff

November 11, 2025: A week after playing its first regular-season game in Berlin, the NFL heads to Madrid for the first game there in league history.

On Nov. 16, 2025 NFL Madrid presented by NetApp will see the Miami Dolphins “host” the Washington Commanders in Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home to soccer powerhouse Real Madrid CF. It seats 84,000.and is expected to be sold out (NFL Network 9:30 AM ET).

Locals don’t mind that the two teams are a combined 6-14 (3-7 each). It’s the compelling presence of the NFL that counts.

Activation by the league and local organizations — the event is being staged in partnership with the Madrid City Council and the Community of Madrid — is projected to have a $77.9 million economic impact, according to industry analysts and city-based officials.

This figure includes increased tourism, hospitality spending by fans and merchandising. Madrid has budgeted nearly $2 million for sponsorship.

“Madrid is the most fashionable region in the world right now — vibrant, dynamic and open, a place everyone wants to visit,” Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid, said via the NFL, regarding the league’s seventh and final International game of the season.

“We offer the best cultural, culinary, heritage, and entertainment experiences anywhere. Hosting the first NFL game in Spain, at the world’s best sports venue — the Bernabéu — reinforces Madrid’s position as a leading destination for major international sporting events.”

A plethora of NFL partners and local companies are supporting.

The 2025 NFL Madrid game is presented by NetApp, the league’s official Intelligent Data Infrastructure partner.

NFL Shop presented by Visa and operated by Fanatics, will be open in Bernabéu Stadium Nov. 14–16.

Wilson is overseeing an event at Príncipe Pío.

NFL partner Marriott Bonvoy has been offering its guests various experiences at the 2025 NFL Madrid game.

Santander, the NFL’s official banking partner in Spain, and Accenture, an official sponsor of the NFL's international games, will have a presence.

"We're thrilled to bring the NFL to Spain, for our inaugural Madrid game," Rafa De Los Santos, NFL Spain country manager, said via the NFL.

"The league, together with our clubs and our partners, will touch down in Madrid with exciting free events and experiences for fans to enjoy across the week — celebrating this special moment in our history ahead of the matchup at the Bernabéu Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 16."

The teams are also at the forefront of activation.

The Miami Dolphins gained marketing rights to Spain through the NFL's Global Markets Program in 2022 (along with the Chicago Bears and in 2025 the Kansas City Chiefs), and are, with the Commanders (which have marketing rights in United Arab Emirates), interacting with people throughout the city.

Over the past three years, the Dolphins said they have "established a long-term presence in Spain, hosting watch parties for games, arranging fan club meetups with Dolphins alumni and supporting youth football and NFL Flag camps. The Dolphins will continue these efforts in Spain in the future."

The game, in effect, is the NFL’s Super Bowl for Madrid.

Argentine-born four-time Latin Grammy winner Bizarrap (aka BZRP) alongside Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter Daddy Yankee will headline the halftime performance.

The Madrid Marine Infantry Group Band performing the country's National Anthem Marcha Real Española, and Madrid-based vocalist Karina Pasian performing the U.S. National Anthem.

"Across performances at our international games, we've elevated Latin artists around the world -- showcasing the significance and appeal of the genre globally," Tim Tubito, NFL senior director, global game presentation and entertainment, said via the league.”

“We're thrilled to welcome Bizarrap and Daddy Yankee to our first-ever game in Madrid and can't wait for fans to witness history, including the inaugural performance of the BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 0/66 and a pregame lineup of inspirational talent. It will be a celebration of music and culture you won't want to miss."

All 32 NFL teams are part of the Global Markets Program. Launched in 2022, it awards NFL clubs international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events, commercial opportunities and NFL Flag development.

The Dolphins, Commanders and Chiefs have a variety of events planned.

From Nov. 13-15, La Plaza De España, located in the heart of the city, will become the Miami Dolphins Fan Zone presented by Sports Illustrated Tickets.

The plaza will include activation from football skills, games and trivia to a main stage with live entertainment each day . Fans can also win giveaways, enjoy a variety of food and beverage offerings and appearances from Miami Dolphins players, cheerleaders and alumni.

Sports Illustrated Tickets is the official Fan Experience partner of the Dolphins for the NFL Madrid Game.

The Dolphins are also transforming iconic locations throughout the city in their campaign to "Paint Madrid Aqua." Included are the Dolphins Aqua Bus Tour, multiple pub takeovers, international fan club meet-ups and new merchandise launches that include collaborations with New Era, Mitchell & Ness, and Pompeii, a Madrid-based refined lifestyle brand.

The teams will run three youth football camps during the week — the Dolphins x Commanders Joint Flag Football Clinic (Nov. 13), a Junior Dolphins Clinic at Metropolitano Stadium (Nov. 14) and the NFL Flag Football Championship at Campo Las Leonas (Nov. 15) — as part of their "ongoing commitment to students participating in the sport worldwide."

“It’s an honor to represent the Washington D.C. area on the global stage,” Josh Harris, managing partner of the Commanders, said via the team. 

“Playing at such an iconic stadium like the Bernabéu is a huge opportunity to connect with new fans and share the excitement of Commanders football.”

Commanders fan-central the Irish Rover Pub Nov. 14 will have music, food, giveaways,and  appearances from team reps.

The Commanders will then have a pregame Fan Rally Nov. 16 in the James Joyce Irish Pub.

The Kansas City Chiefs House is in Pestana CR7 Gran Via (9th Floor Sports Bar).

“We have the best host city, Madrid, for the best competition, the NFL,” Madrid Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida said via the league. “Two success stories come together here: an extraordinary city and a league that transcends borders. Madrileños will once again show our passion for sport.”

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