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NFL Plays First Regular-Season Game in Spain at Madrid’s Bernabéu

A rapid stadium conversion with temporary upgrades underscores a long-term push into Spanish-speaking markets.

Overview

  • To meet NFL dimensions, the playing surface was extended to 120 yards with end-zone seating rows removed, with about $2.32 million reported for temporary works.
  • Behind-the-scenes areas were enlarged for 53-man rosters, with new locker-room access points, a separate press room, covered Real Madrid signage, and temporary museum and retail spaces for the event.
  • The Bernabéu’s retractable pitch, divided into six sections and stored in the Hypogeum, enabled the fast switch from soccer to American football.
  • Organizers expected roughly 83,000–84,000 fans, with the Madrid regional government spending about $3.5 million on promotion and projecting around $81.2 million in economic impact.
  • The game concludes this season’s overseas slate and leverages Real Madrid’s €1.3 billion redevelopment, with noise-absorption panels installed to address known acoustic issues.