For the past number of years the NFL has held annual games in London; this year, Germany was added to the list of international games as the NFL looks to expand the games to other international venues.
The next city of the list is Madrid with the first game at the home of Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The first game will begin in 2025. The NFL owners recently voted to expand the international games to eight each year.
NFL head of international affairs Peter O’Reilly spoke on the announcement saying, “we could not be more excited to bring the best of the NFL, the best of our teams and star players to the more than 13 million passionate fans in Spain and partner with one of the greatest global soccer clubs in Real Madrid in a truly world class and innovative stadium.” The teams that will play have not been announced yet but plenty of teams have expressed interest in going.
A very excited Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce spoke on the opportunity to play in Spain saying, “that would be epic. It would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m going to go talk to (owner) Clark Hunt right now and get that bid in. Any chance we get to go out of the States and play internationally, you would be silly not to jump at that opportunity. The fan bases are every bit as electric if not more outside of the United States. If the Chiefs get out there to Spain, we’ll make sure to have some fun.”
Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno also spoke excitedly about the NFL coming to play in their stadium saying, “I would like to express our deepest gratitude to you and to let you know that it is a great honor for Real Madrid to host this international event with the NFL over the next few years in our stadium. For us, you are a model of management and a great traveling companion with whom to share our dreams.”
In the 2024 season, the NFL will play three games in London, a game in Germany, and for the first time ever a game in Brazil.
the League will also make a return to Mexico City in 2026 once renovations to the stadium have been completed at Azteca Stadium. Playing at Azteca is a challenge for the NFL; Mexico City sits over a mile above sea level and the air is somewhat thinner than at ground level.