80,000 fans expected for Falcons, Bengals game at Bernabeu

An estimated 80,000 spectators will fill the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Sunday for the second NFL regular-season game played in Spain.

The Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals arrived in the Spanish capital on Tuesday to begin their week of preparation. The Falcons started their first practice session on Wednesday at the training center of Real Madrid, a soccer club that has won 15 European titles. The Bengals are scheduled to begin their training on Thursday at the facilities of the Spanish national team, the 2024 World Cup champions.

Both teams traveled from the United States to accommodate the game schedule. This event marks the seventh contest in the league's record nine-game international slate for the current season. The remaining games on the schedule will take place in Munich and Mexico City. Last year, the inaugural game in Madrid featured the Miami Dolphins defeating the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime. That contest drew a crowd of 78,610 to the same venue.

NFL country manager for Spain, Rafa de los Santos, stated that preparations are proceeding according to plan. He noted that stadium and city-level events are ready for the upcoming weekend. "Everything seems to be going on track," De los Santos said. "We’re super happy with the way that everything is going, at the stadium level, at the city level, at everything that has to do with the events that we have through the course of the week. Everything ready for a big Sunday."

Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski expressed gratitude for the logistical support required to bring the team overseas. He described the process as a massive undertaking involving significant effort from the NFL and the team organization. "I just get to show up and step on the plane and we’re here," Stefanski said. "But there’s so much work that goes into it, and I’m very appreciative to our group for taking great care of us."

Organizers expect the playing surface at the Bernabeu to be in excellent condition. De los Santos indicated that the field, which is a top priority for Real Madrid, shows no signs of wear different from the previous year. "We are expecting to have the field in mint condition," he said. Tickets for the game remained available as of this week.

The event will include a tribute to the 69 people killed in a high-speed train collision last week. Organizers did not specify the nature of the memorial, describing it as a surprise. The halftime show will feature Colombian musician Manuel Turizo. Local noise regulations will apply to the event, as concerts at the stadium have been paused since 2024 due to complaints from residents in the nearby upscale neighborhood. De los Santos confirmed that the halftime show and event will comply with Spanish law and local regulations.

The agreement between the NFL and Madrid includes one additional year for games in the Spanish capital. The Falcons will continue their preparation at the Real Madrid training center, while the Bengals will use the Spanish federation's facilities. Both teams aim to be ready for the kickoff on Sunday.