On Sunday, November 16, 2025, the first ever NFL game was played in Madrid. The Miami Dolphins 'hosted' the Washington Commanders at the beautiful Bernabeu Stadium. The stands were full with a good mix of European and North American NFL fans. David the doorman from our hotel, was in attendance as were many local sports fans. We also met Frenchmen, British and other Euros at the game. Both teams had a good number of their American fans there too with the Dolphin crowd kitted out in jerseys and caps coloured in aqua, gold and white and the Commanders faithful adorned in similar garb in burgundy, gold and white.
Mr. Gym and his son Chris have been to a few Dolphins games together. Mr. Gym is old enough to remember the Dolphins of the 1970s that won two Super Bowls and were undefeated in the 1972 season. He proudly wears Larry Csonka's jersey from that era. Chris has become a fan more recently and follows the team with great passion, notwithstanding their mediocre performance of the last decade. Both agree though that if you are going to support a team why not support one in Miami, where the average temperature is always between 24-30C every month of the year.
The game itself highlighted two quarterbacks of Polynesian descent pitted against each other. Both QBs were born and raised in Hawaii. Both teams came into Madrid with identical 3-7 records. Despite the losing records, these two rivals went at it tooth and nail and neither team gave up the advantage until the last play in overtime. It was a barnburner that included two successful goal line stands, balanced rushing and passing attacks, two above average QB ratings and very few mistakes except one interception. That interception, by Miami, turned out to be pivotal as it set up the game winning field goal, that broke the tie in overtime.
Here are some pictures of the action and the beautiful interior of the stadium:
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| Spanish and American flags displayed at opening |
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| Good shot of giant wraparound TV just under the brand new retractable roof |
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| Making friends with a Welshman |
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| Game is underway |
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| Dolphins win in overtime! |
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| Yay! |
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