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 deliver the perfect of the NFL, the perfect of our groups and star gamers to the greater than 13 million passionate followers in Spain and associate with one of many biggest world soccer golf equipment in Actual Madrid in a really world-class and progressive stadium,” stated Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s head of worldwide affairs.
The groups that can play in that sport can be introduced at a later date, however O’Reilly stated the host workforce would probably be from the AFC as a result of groups in that convention can have an additional house sport that season.
“There’s not an absence of curiosity for groups enjoying in Madrid with our associate Actual Madrid,” O’Reilly stated.
O’Reilly stated loads of groups have already expressed curiosity. Depend Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star tight finish Travis Kelce amongst those that would leap on the alternative after enjoying in Germany this yr, in addition to London and Mexico Metropolis previously.
“That might be epic,” Kelce stated. “It might be a as soon as in a lifetime alternative. I will go speak to (proprietor) Clark Hunt proper now and get that bid in. Any likelihood we get to exit of the States and play internationally, you’ll be foolish to not leap at that chance. The fan bases are each bit as electrical if no more exterior of the US. If the Chiefs get on the market to Spain, we’ll be certain to have some enjoyable.”
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 entering 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 following few years in our stadium,” stated 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 desires.”
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 stated the NFL is taking a look at different potential nations to host a sport sooner or later, together with France.
