Commanders beat Dolphins 16-13 in first NFL regular-season game in Madrid
Washington edged Miami 16-13 at the Santiago Bernabéu on 16 November 2025, the first NFL regular-season game ever played in Spain.
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On 16 November 2025, the Washington Commanders defeated the Miami Dolphins 16-13 at the Santiago Bernabéu, home of Real Madrid. It was the first NFL regular-season game ever staged in Spain and part of the league's International Series, which takes American football to overseas markets.
Miami was the designated home team for the occasion, though the stadium was filled with a mixed crowd of local fans, curious newcomers and travelling supporters. The Bernabéu, recently renovated with a retractable roof and a new pitch system, was adapted for the game with a temporary playing surface suited to American football.
The match mattered beyond the result. It confirmed Madrid as a new regular host city for the NFL in Europe, following earlier games in London, Munich and Frankfurt, and signalled the league's push to grow its audience in Spain. The success of the event led to further games being planned at the stadium, including the later meeting between the Bengals and Falcons.
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NFL games in Madrid at the Bernabéu · 3 updates
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