Commanders and Dolphins fans rave about NFL Madrid game after an “another level” experience
Fans praised Madrid’s food, energy and welcome as thousands gathered for Spain’s first NFL game featuring the Dolphins and Commanders.
London, Mexico City, Munich, Frankfurt, Sao Paulo, and most recently, Berlin and Dublin. Now it is Madrid’s turn to make history by hosting the first NFL game in Spain, as the Washington Commanders take on the Miami Dolphins at Real Madrid’s Bernabéu.
The NFL has never had much of a presence in Spain, yet football, rather than fútbol, has taken over its capital city in the last few days.
A fan boom in the heart of Madrid
According to reports, more than 40,000 people turned up to a Dolphins fan zone between Thursday and Saturday. The NFL’s pop-up store at the Bernabéu, meanwhile, received between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors on Thursday and Friday, and is anticipating closer to 20,000 on game day.
The buzz has attracted a wide mix of people, from general football enthusiasts to curious passersby. The figures also include, of course, die-hard fans of both teams, some of whom shared their Madrid game experiences with us ahead of kickoff on Sunday.
Food, hospitality and a warm welcome
It certainly feels as if Madrid has gone down a storm, especially its food scene, with a number of fans telling us that has been one of the highlights of their trip to the Spanish capital. There were also plenty of kind words for the people of Madrid and their hospitality.
“Madrid is beautiful, it reminds me a bit of New York,” one Dolphins fans tell us. “Great food. I will be back without a doubt.”
Madrid “definitely another level”
“It is really cool to see all the people come out. I have never seen a stadium quite like this,” says another. “I have been to a lot of Dolphins games but this is definitely another level.”
A family who traveled all the way from Miami tell us how proud they are to play a small part in history being made in Madrid. “Being here for the first game is pretty unique. We feel honored to be a part of it. It is beautiful, I cannot wait to come back. The food, the culture, the people, the history behind it, the architecture.”
Not even the pouring rain could ruin the fun of a father-and-son duo who traveled from Germany to watch their beloved Dolphins. “That definitely wasn’t like Miami!”
Traveling for the team
While the International Series eliminates a home game for certain teams, the fans who made their way to Madrid say they are more than happy to rack up air miles to see their team abroad. It is a stark contrast to soccer fans in Spain, where a LaLiga fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal that was due to be played in Miami will no longer take place in Florida.
A Commanders fan from England agrees that what works in football is unlikely to every work in soccer. “I used to go every year to the States, I enjoy going to the States, he explains. ”But I never liked going to Washington. I’ve been to Dallas, Jacksonville… I’ve traveled around America. I don’t think it would work with soccer in Europe."
“To travel to Madrid is a highlight,” raves one Commanders fan, who has come all the way from Washington with her friend. “The food, the museums... Spain has been on my list for a long time so it is a good reason to come. I am a football fan and traveler, so for me it is great. As a traveler, it is a win-win.”
International Series games “a totally different experience”
“You get a totally different experience,” explain two other Washington fanatics, dressed head to toe in team colors. “It is important for the NFL to bring that experience to international fans. We were actually hoping for an international game.”
“It is only one game,” explain more Commanders followers. “We like to travel, it is an opportunity to visit different places.”
The Dolphins-supporting family could not agree more, saying: “We make it a family trip. I think it is good the NFL is spreading internationally. It is not just known as a sport in America, it is a sport internationally that anyone can enjoy.”
A sellout success before kickoff
The NFL Madrid game has been a roaring success, and it has not even taken place yet.
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