LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NFL plans to host its first-ever regular-season game in Spain in 2025.
The league announced at Friday’s Super Bowl that the international fixture schedule for the 2025 season will include a game at Real Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
“To bring the best of the NFL, the best teams and star players to over 13 million passionate fans in Spain and to partner with Real Madrid, truly one of the world’s greatest global soccer clubs. “We couldn’t be more excited about this first-class, innovative stadium,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL director of international affairs.
The team participating in that game will be announced at a later date, but O’Reilly said the host team will likely be an AFC team since teams in that conference will play an additional home game that season.
O’Reilly said a number of teams have already expressed interest. Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is one of the players to jump at the opportunity after playing in Germany this year and in the past in London and Mexico City.
“That’s great,” Kelce said. “It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m going to talk to[owner]Clark Hunt right now and get that bid. If there’s an opportunity to leave America and play internationally, why not jump at that opportunity?” That would be stupid. The fan base outside of the United States is every bit as passionate, if not more so. If the Chiefs travel to Spain, we’re definitely going to have a good time.”
The NFL has expanded its international presence in recent years, with owners voting in December to authorize the league to play eight games internationally each season.
Real Madrid were actively involved in the mix.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone and let you know that it is a great honor for Real Madrid to be able to host international events with the NFL in our stadium for years to come,” said Madrid’s General Manager Emilio Butragueno. Told. Institutional relationships. “For us, you are a role model for business owners and a wonderful travel companion with whom we can share our dreams.”
In 2024, the NFL will host three games in London, including a home game for the Jacksonville Jaguars, one game in Germany and the first game in Brazil.
The NFL has also hosted some games in Mexico City, with plans to return in 2026 after the World Cup that year, when renovations to Azteca Stadium are completed.
O’Reilly said the league is also considering other countries to potentially host games in the future.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl