The Bernabéu Stadium is one of the largest in Spain.
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Sunday November 16th 2025 will go down in history as the first time an NFL game was ever hosted in Spain as its capital city, Madrid, hosts a battle between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders as part of the tournament’s international series.
Madrid has positioned the event as part of a wider strategy to attract large international sports properties, hosting the game at Real Madrid’s iconic Bernabéu Stadium. The stadium’s renovation has turned it into a year-round venue capable of hosting football, American football, major concerts and corporate events.
For the NFL, the game represents a step forward in expanding its international calendar and building a footprint in new European markets while tapping into the powerhouse that is the Spanish-speaking market.
Five facts about the Bernabéu
The stadium, newly branded as “Bernabéu”, ditching its full previous name of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu hosts up to 83,186 and is tipped to be a complete sell-out for the first NFL game to take place on Spanish soil. Here are some more intriguing facts about the host facility.
1. The stadium was built in the aftermath of war, and named after the man who inspired it
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium officially opened on 14 December 1947, built to replace the older Campo de Chamartín and provide a home befitting the ambitions of Real Madrid. The decision followed then-president Santiago Bernabéu’s vision of a stadium that could host both domestic league fixtures and international-level soccer.
Construction took place in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War and World War II, meaning materials and resources were scarce, yet the project was completed in approximately three years. Over the decades, the stadium has undergone multiple renovations and expansions to keep pace with evolving stadium standards.
Its name was changed in 1955 to honour Santiago Bernabéu himself. Today the venue stands not only as Real Madrid’s home ground but also as a symbol of the club’s growth from national powerhouse to global brand.
2. Major sporting events are nothing new, the 1982 World Cup final being one of the biggest
On an international scale, the stadium has served as the venue for the final of the 1964 European Nations’ Cup, when Spain defeated the Soviet Union to claim the title. More prominently, it hosted the final of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, when Italy beat West Germany 3-1. It is also amongst the frontrunners to host the biggest fixture in soccer once again in 2030, pending rival bids from co-host Morocco.
At club level, the Bernabéu has hosted four European Cup or Champions League finals in 1957, 1969, 1980 and 2010. The first of those, the 1957 final on 30 May, saw Real Madrid defeat Fiorentina 2-0 in front of an estimated 124,000 spectators. The 1969 final ended 4-1 in favor of AC Milan over Ajax while 11 years later Nottingham Forest beat Hamburg by a 1-0 scoreline. In 2010 the venue again hosted the final of the then-Champions League, when Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 2-0.
In 2018 the Bernabéu hosted the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and River Plate, the first time the South American final was played outside the continent.
3. The financial potential of a $1.6 billion investment
Real Madrid’s redevelopment of the Bernabéu has become one of the most expensive stadium projects in European soccer. The club reported a total investment of about €1.3 billion ($1.6 billion) as of 30 June 2025, according to its official financial statements. The scale of the project required one of the largest financing arrangements in the sector. El País reported that Real Madrid secured loans totalling approximately €1.2 billion ($1.4 billion) across three long-term packages to fund the renovation.
The objective of this investment has been to expand the stadium’s commercial potential and increase annual operating income. Before the pandemic, the venue generated around €128 million ($149 million) per season. Reporting from AS noted that the club aims to move that figure closer to €300 million ($349 million) once the renovated stadium is functioning at full capacity.
The financial impact is already visible in the club’s accounts. During the 2023/24 season Real Madrid became the first football club to surpass €1 billion ($1.2 billion) in annual revenue, according to Deloitte’s Football Money League. Financial reports show that recurring stadium revenue rose by 38% year over year, excluding seat licence sales.
4. The stadium has been home to much more than Real Madrid
In recent years the stadium has evolved beyond its soccer roots into a broader entertainment venue. Notably, global pop star Taylor Swift performed two concerts there on 29 and 30 May 2024 as part of her Eras Tour, marking one of the largest-scale musical events held in the facility following its major renovation. Even before the modernization, the stadium hosted major concerts by global artists such as U2 and Bruce Springsteen, while Karol G has also visited since Swift’s tour.
The arena’s renovation, which cost in the region of €1.9 billion, included updates to audience comfort and technology that made the stadium more suitable for large concerts. While the club remains primarily focused on soccer, the shift toward mixed use demonstrates the venue’s capacity to host major global entertainment and sporting events alike.
The city itself is also expecting a major income, possibly even surpassing the success of other venues in the international series, such as in Berlin. 2Playbook cites reports from the city’s estimate aiming to generate as much as €16 million ($18.6 million) in associated revenues.
5. Adaptations have been made for NFL, such as the locker rooms
To accommodate football requirements the stadium has undergone significant modifications. The field area has been adapted to accommodate the larger pitch dimensions and associated infrastructure, with the first rows at each end being removed to make room for an extended playing surface.
The underlying turf system is newly upgraded and stores the usual surface below ground using LED lights to care for the grass while the temporary surface is in place above. Behind the scenes spaces such as locker rooms, medical facilities and stadium operations have also been expanded or re-configured, with the extended locker rooms stretching into areas usually reserved for VIP guests to make room for the full rosters.
Additionally, the exterior branding has been updated to reflect the NFL event and to present the stadium as a global venue for sport beyond soccer. These adjustments emphasize how the stadium is positioning itself not only for one soccer club but for multi-sport global events, marking a new chapter in the Bernabéu’s history.