Earlier this week, the NFL announced it would play regular season games in Madrid, Paris, and Mexico City in 2026 as part of a nine-game international schedule, the most ever for the major U.S. professional sports league as it aims to continue to grow the sport abroad.NFL returns to Madrid, Spain
In 2026, will return to Madrid, Spain to play regular season games at the iconic Bernab u Stadium - home to Real Madrid C.F - in a multi-year partnership with the City of Madrid and Comunidad de Madrid, beginning in the 2026 NFL regular season.
The 2025 NFL Madrid game at the Bernab u was a pivotal moment for the sport in Spain, and we are delighted to confirm that we will return to play a regular season game in 2026 in a multi-year partnership with the City of Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid and Real Madrid C.F., says NFL Spain Country Manager Rafa De Los Santos. This multi-year commitment to playing games in Madrid - a world-class global cultural and sporting destination - underlines our commitment to the market and enables us to continue to engage fans year-round and invest long-term in initiatives like NFL Flag and youth participation nationwide.
It is an honor and a privilege for Real Madrid to host the NFL once again at the Bernab u stadium, says Real Madrid Director of Institutional Relations Emilio Butrague o. We experienced a historic first NFL Madrid game a few months ago, and this new agreement will allow the alliance between our club, the Community of Madrid, the City Council and the NFL to continue, strengthening the image of our capital and the Spanish brand around the world. The transformation of the Bernab u stadium is a major boost for sport to continue to be a unifying force for millions of fans across all continents.
Spain is an important market for the NFL globally with 11 million fans. As part of a broader multi-year commitment to growing the game at every level in Spain, the NFL will also focus on year-round efforts to develop NFL Flag across the country. Flag football, the non contact format of the game, will make its debut as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles 2028 (LA28).
NFL Flag, the league's official youth flag football program, launched in Spain in 2024 and is already reaching children in schools across Madrid, Barcelona and Zaragoza, with further expansion planned in partnership with Federaci n Espa ola de F tbol Americano (FEFA).
The Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, and Miami Dolphins have marketing rights in Spain as part of the league's Global Markets Program, an initiative that awards NFL clubs marketing rights in markets outside of the U.S. to build brand awareness and fandom through fan engagement, events and commercial opportunities.
NFL in Paris, France
The NFL will play its first-ever regular season game in Paris, France in 2026, as the league continues to focus on global growth efforts and expanding the international games slate to more countries around the world.
The history-making game in France will take place at the Stade de France - the country's national stadium - with the New Orleans Saints named as one of the participating teams.
Bringing a regular season game to Paris in 2026 marks an exciting next step in the continued expansion of the league's global footprint, says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Paris is one of the world's greatest sporting and cultural cities with tremendous success in hosting global events that unite fans on the biggest stages. Playing our first ever regular season game at the impressive Stade de France, together with the New Orleans Saints, underlines our continued global growth ambitions and we look forward to bringing the NFL to our passionate fans in France.
Hosting the first NFL Paris game at the Stade de France reflects a shared ambition and showcases our ability to bring together different sporting cultures, deliver operational excellence, and position Paris and France as a welcoming destination for the world's greatest sporting events, says Chairman of the GL events Group Olivier Ginon. Together with the support of the State, local authorities, as well as tourism and hospitality stakeholders, GL events Group is honored and proud to work with the NFL to write this new chapter in the history of the Stade de France, fully in line with the legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
We are excited to be selected to play in the first regular season game to be held in France, adds Saints Owner Gayle Benson. This moment is special not only because of the strong cultural connection between Louisiana and France, but also because we will compete before a growing Saints fan base in Paris. I am grateful to the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell and the French Government, especially Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France to the United States, Samuel Ducroquet, Ambassador of France to Sport, for helping make this historic event possible.
Hosting the first-ever NFL regular season game in Paris is a powerful symbol of France's growing place on the global sporting stage, says Minister of Sports, Youth and Community Life Marina Ferrari. Since 2017 The President of the Republic has made sport a national priority - as a driver of social cohesion, international influence and economic attractiveness - and this historic event fully reflects that long-term commitment. Following the success and legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, welcoming the NFL to the Stade de France demonstrates our ambition to open France to the world's greatest sporting competitions, to embrace diverse sporting cultures and to strengthen France's role as a leading host nation for major global events.
This partnership also illustrates how sport serves as a tool of diplomacy, innovation and opportunity for our youth and our regions. I would also like to thank the French Federation
