The NFL officially announced that the Cincinnati Bengals will face the Atlanta Falcons on next November 8 at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, in a game that will mark the league's return to Spanish territory.

The match will start at 3:30 p.m. local time and will be the second NFL regular season game played in Spain, after the clash held last year between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders.

The Santiago Bernabéu will be home of the NFL again

The emblematic stadium of Real Madrid will become a stage of professional American football, consolidating Madrid as one of the key cities in the international strategy of the league.

The named 2026 NFL Madrid Game will be part of the nine international games that the league will organize the next season on four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums.

In addition to Spain, cities such as Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Munich and Mexico City will host official NFL games during 2026.

NFL highlights the importance of the Spanish market

Rafa de los Santos, Director of NFL Spain, highlighted the impact that the game will have on Spanish territory.

“The NFL is prepared to make history in Madrid by welcoming the Bengals and the Falcons to the Bernabéu in the second NFL regular-season game to be held in Spain.”

“We want to bring the excitement of the NFL to the fans in Spain and welcome fans from all over the world, at the same time as We, once again, make Madrid a global city of reference in the field of sports and entertainment,” he added.

Bengals will arrive to Madrid with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase as figures

The Cincinnati Bengals will land in Spain with two of their main stars: quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja'Marr Chase, considered one of the most explosive dupes in the entire league.

Although the franchise still hasn't conquered a Super Bowl, it has played in three NFL finals, falling to the San Francisco 49ers in 1982 and 1989, in addition to losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the 2022 edition.

Elizabeth Blackburn, Director of Strategy and Engagement for the Bengals, celebrated the opportunity to play in Madrid.

“We are very happy to take the Bengals outside the United States and continue growing thanks to the great support of our fans around the world, in addition to helping the league to continue developing the growth of American football on a global scale.”

“This match in Madrid is a special opportunity to show the passion, energy and unity that define the Bengals fans at a world level,” he added.

Falcons and Madrid celebrate the arrival of the NFL spectacle

On the Atlanta Falcons side, the president and CEO Greg Beadles highlighted the relevance of the scenario chosen for the game.

“We feel very honored and deeply grateful for the opportunity to host the Cincinnati Bengals at the Bernabeu, one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.”

For his part, the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, highlighted the international impact that the sports event will once again have.

“Next November 8, Madrid will host one of the great international sports events of the year with the celebration of 2026 NFL Madrid Game and es " a magnificent news that two franchises of the level and the size of the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons are going to play this historic game in our city."

Madrid consolidates as an international headquarters for major sports events

The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, also celebrated the multi-year agreement between the NFL and the regional government, through which Madrid will be the exclusive headquarters of the competition in Spain during 2026 and 2027.

“Madrid is prepared for everything,” said the president, who highlighted the “joyful, welcoming” character of the city and its ability to host world class sports events.

With this new game, the NFL strengthens its commitment to Europe and confirms the growing interest of the Spanish public in professional football.