Falcons to Host NFL Regular-Season Game in Madrid During 2026 Schedule, Opponent TBD

The Atlanta Falcons announced Tuesday that they will play a game in Madrid, Spain, during the 2026 NFL regular season.

While the date and opponent have yet to be revealed, it is known that the contest will be held at Real Madrid's Bernabéu.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo listed the Falcons' potential opponents for the game, noting that the Chicago Bears and Kansas City Chiefs could have a leg up since they hold marketing rights in Spain:

Last season marked the first NFL regular-season game to ever be played in Spain when the Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime at Bernabéu.

Next season will mark the Falcons' second consecutive campaign playing an international game, as they fell 31-25 in overtime to the Indianapolis Colts last season in Berlin, Germany.

Atlanta previously played three games in London, losing 22-21 to the Detroit Lions in 2014, beating the New York Jets 27-20 in 2021 and falling 23-7 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023.

The Falcons will play in one of a single-season record nine NFL international games in 2026.

There are also three games scheduled for London and one each in Mexico City, Paris, Munich, Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro.

Regarding the opportunity to play in Madrid, Falcons President and CEO Greg Beadles said, "We are incredibly proud to be part of an NFL regular-season game in Madrid at the iconic Bernabéu. Atlanta and Madrid are a fitting match as we will host two of Spain's group stage matches in the upcoming FIFA World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This opportunity reflects the continued global growth of both the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons, and we look forward to deepening our connection with our European community by hosting another sporting contest here at home and returning to Europe for the fourth time in six seasons."

The Falcons are coming off back-to-back 8-9 seasons, and they have not reached the playoffs since 2017.

They were widely expected to vie for an NFC South title in both 2024 and 2025, but shortcomings at the quarterback position largely contributed to the continuation of their playoff drought.

In 2024, Kirk Cousins struggled after signing a big contract in free agency, leading to 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. replacing him as the starter.

Penix began 2025 in the starting role, but he tore his ACL, which resulted in Cousins regaining the starting job.

With Cousins set to be released on March 11, Penix is in line to start again in 2026, provided he recovers from his injury in time.

Regardless of who is under center, new head coach Kevin Stefanski will undoubtedly lean heavily on superstar running back Bijan Robinson, who was named a First Team All-Pro last season after rushing for a career-high 1,478 yards and leading the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage.