Could Real Madrid host the Super Bowl?
Florentino Pérez continues to plan how best to show off his latest jewel, the new Santiago Bernabéu, with dreams of hosting the greatest NFL sporting event.
Every time he sets foot in the United States, Florentino Pérez‘s mind spins around as he ponders what great events from the country of stars and stripes he can ‘bring’ to the new Santiago Bernabéu, ever nearing its completion. It is almost certain that the next jewel in Los Blancos’ crown will host NFL games, probably from 2024, but the Real Madrid president’s ambitions have no limits and his long-standing desire is to host a Super Bowl. It’s clearly an extremely difficulty challenge because it is the most eagerly anticipated and followed game on television in all of US sports. And it is getting more and more global interest with every year. But that remote access may work in Pérez’s favor, as the greater audience lies beyond the local seats.
NFL growth in Europe could aid foreign Super Bowl host
In recent years, the NFL has been strengthening its ties with Europe, facilitating the landing of franchises in different countries such as Spain (with the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears) and expansion outside of London, the city where they have normally been playing official matches away from the United States.
Anyway, a Madrid-based Super Bowl is one for the future, but right now the stars of the NFL are being seduced by the charm of the current Spanish and European champions. A good example is wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, star of the Kansas City Chiefs, who attended Real Madrid’s training camp yesterday to see it up close for himself, meet the players and bring Vinicius Jr a signed shirt as a gift.
It should be remembered that Real Madrid’s plan at all times has been for the new Bernabéu to be a modern multidisciplinary venue.
From a space designed especially for e-sports competitions as well as the obvious high-tech grass stadium, which will have a state-of-the-art indoor greenhouse, and can quickly alternate from a pitch to allow everything necessary for hosting concerts and even ice skating and ice hockey with a rink.
The possibilities are almost endless because the grass will be protected at all times and will be automatically reinstalled after each event. That is why Florentino’s aspirations to host one of his idols Rafa Nadal against tennis legend Roger Federer, assuming both fit, would pose no problem at all. So, an NFL extravaganza would likely also be a piece of cake... assuming he can get the American institutions, sponsors and baying public to eat it!