While the glitz of the Super Bowl is captivating Las Vegas this week, the NFL’s international expansion plans are stealing some of the spotlight. Football fans across the globe, particularly in Spain, have a reason to celebrate as reports confirm Real Madrid’s home ground, Santiago Bernabeu, will host a regular-season NFL game in 2025. While the exact date and participating teams remain under the covers, speculations and excitement are rising.

As reported by AS, the Miami Dolphins and the Chicago Bears emerge as the prime contenders to grace the Bernabeu pitch next year. Both the clubs have laid the groundwork in Spain previously, vying for the opportunity to play on an international stage. Chicago Bears have been predominantly active in the Spanish nation by entrenching themselves with training camps and marketing initiatives.

But despite the Bears’ established connection with Spain, the Dolphins hold a slight edge, considering their additional home game in 2025. Since Chicago has their extra home game scheduled in 2026, the Miami side remains in pole position to strike a deal to play at Santiago Bernabeu. This additional game strategy stems from NFL’s decision to have each team play one international game per season, and gain global exposure. Now, each club plays 17 games in total, with a split of eight home, eight away, and one international game.

The final decision ultimately lies on a strategic mix of factors: team popularity in Europe, potential financial benefits, and the overall fan experience. Despite this both the Dolphins and the Bears have their strengths. While Miami boasts a vibrant fan following and an exciting roster, Chicago brings a rich history and passionate supporters.

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How did Real Madrid clinch the NFL deal?

The prospect of NFL action at the Santiago Bernabeu showcases the culmination of a longstanding dream of Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Perez. For Perez, the convergence of American football and one of Europe’s legendary sporting arenas promised an outstanding spectacle.

The NFL authorities had to decide between two options to host a regular season game in 2024: Brazil or Madrid. Finally, they opted for Sau Paulo’s Corinthians Arena for this year’s international venue. However, with Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu poised to finish all the renovation work in 2025, Perez decided to take advantage of this opportunity.

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The club emphasized that the NFL would attract greater interest if events were organized in Madrid’s iconic locations with high pedestrian and tourist traffic. And the NFL chose Santiago Bernabeu over Atletico’s Wanda Metropolitano.

So, whether it’s the Dolphins or the Bears taking center stage, one thing is certain: the 2025 NFL game at the Santiago Bernabeu is set to be a landmark event. It will mark a significant step in the NFL’s global expansion and bring the Super Bowl spirit to a new audience.

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