NFL to Host 1st-Ever Regular-Season Game in Spain as Part of 2025 Schedule

The NFL is officially heading to Spain.

The league will hold a game in Madrid in 2025, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The game will be played at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of La Liga giant Real Madrid, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero added.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement:

"Playing a game in Madrid in 2025 highlights the continued expansion of the league's global footprint and the accelerated ambitions to take our game to more fans around the world. We are proud to partner with Real Madrid C.F., a global brand, together with the City of Madrid and Comunidad de Madrid, to bring a spectacular regular season game to Spain at the world-class Santiago Bernabéu Stadium."

Spain will be the fifth different country the NFL has hosted a game in other than the United States, joining England, Mexico, Germany and Brazil as part of the league's International Games.

The Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins could perhaps be penciled in as potential competitors to take the field at the Santiago Bernabéu as both have international marketing rights in Spain, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.

Jones added that he "would expect" either the Bears or Dolphins to be the early leader to "host" the Madrid game in 2025.

The NFL has hosted International Series Games in England dating back to 2007. The Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and Minnesota Vikings are among the teams set to play in the country next season.

The league will also host a game in Germany for the third straight season in 2024, with the Carolina Panthers set to host the matchup.

It was announced on Dec. 13 that Brazil would host a regular-season game next season, which marks the first time a game will be played in South America. The Philadelphia Eagles will host the game in São Paulo in September.

The NFL hasn't played a game in Mexico since 2022 and will not return to the country in 2024 as Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is undergoing renovations and will not be ready in time for next season.

It's possible the league will return to Mexico in 2025.