Chiefs Reveal 'Aggressive' Push to Be Falcons' Opponent in Spain During 2026 Schedule

The NFL has announced some of the teams that will be playing international games in 2026, and the Atlanta Falcons have been designated to play a contest in Madrid against a to-be-determined opponent.

The Kansas City Chiefs have made public their desire to be that opponent.

"We've been very open and aggressive with the league — as we have been since the beginning — that we want to play in Spain this year," Chiefs team president Mark Donovan told Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star. "We think it would be a great market, game (and) matchup."

Per McDowell, the Chiefs have added "Spain as one of their international rights markets last year through the NFL's global markets program (GMP)."

It makes sense that the Chiefs want to play there then. They've played internationally four times (2015 in London, 2019 in Mexico City, 2023 in Frankfurt, Germany and 2025 in São Paulo, Brazil) but never in Spain.

Per McDowell, the game in Spain is expected to occur in November. That was the case for the NFL's first game in Spain last year, when the Miami Dolphins beat the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime in Madrid.

The NFL hasn't revealed the release date for this year's schedule, but it typically drops in mid-May. Opponents have long been established for each team, and the Chiefs are currently listed as going on the road to play the Falcons.

It appears there's a real chance Kansas City won't be going to Atlanta for that game, but we'll find out soon enough later this spring.