NFL confirms Atlanta Falcons as Bernabéu home team: who will they play?

The second chapter in the relationship between the NFL and Spain now has one of its leading actors confirmed. On Tuesday, the league made official what had been previously reported: the Atlanta Falcons will be one of the two teams competing in the 2026 regular-season game at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The Georgia franchise, which boasts 60 years of history, had already been scheduled to play an international game next season and has now been selected as the home team for the second official NFL game ever held on Spanish soil.

Until this announcement, Madrid was the only one of the nine international games on the NFL’s 2026 slate – a record number – that did not yet have at least one participant confirmed. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are set for Melbourne, Australia, with the 49ers also returning to Mexico City. The New Orleans Saints will play in Paris, France; the Detroit Lions are headed to Munich, Germany; and the Dallas Cowboys will land in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. London will host three games featuring the Washington Commanders and the Jacksonville Jaguars, who will appear twice.

Atlanta Falcons: a franchise in transition

The Falcons are coming off an 8-9 regular season in 2025, missing the playoffs and finishing third in the NFC South. In recent days, reports indicated the team will part ways with starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, whose high-profile arrival failed to spark a turnaround and whose tenure now appears to be ending.

This summer shapes up as pivotal for Atlanta, which dismissed head coach Raheem Morris and hired Kevin Stefanski. The team has managed to retain tight end Kyle Pitts, who continues to develop, while its undisputed star is running back Bijan Robinson, widely regarded as one of the league’s top players at his position.

The high-water mark in franchise history remains its two Super Bowl appearances – in the 1998 and 2016 seasons – both ending in defeat. The latter is painfully remembered for squandering a 28-3 third-quarter lead against the New England Patriots led by Tom Brady. Since then, aside from the following campaign, the Falcons have not returned to true contention.

Opponent and date still to be determined

With Atlanta confirmed as the home team at the Bernabéu, two key details remain unknown: the visiting team and the date. Both will be announced in the spring with the release of the 2026 schedule.

Among the Falcons’ potential opponents, two stand out: the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs, two of the three franchises holding international marketing rights in Spain. The third, the Miami Dolphins, were the home team in Madrid in 2025. Both the Bears and Chiefs have shown strong interest in playing in Spain, even as the visiting side.

Removing divisional rivals – rarely scheduled abroad – and teams already committed to other international games, two additional candidates emerge: the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals. From those four contenders, one is expected to be named as Atlanta’s opponent.

As for the date, FIFA international breaks from September 21 to October 6 and, especially, from November 9 to November 17 guarantee no soccer activity at Real Madrid’s stadium. The latter window would allow the game to be played on Sunday, November 15, almost exactly one year after the 2025 matchup between the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders on November 16.

“Atlanta and Madrid are a natural combination”

“The passion for the NFL in Spain has never been greater, and welcoming the Atlanta Falcons to Madrid for a regular-season game represents a historic moment for our growing fan base,” said Rafa de los Santos, managing director of NFL Spain. He added that “for the Falcons, stepping onto the field at the Bernabéu is a unique opportunity to compete in one of the great sports capitals of the world. For fans in Spain, it is a chance to experience firsthand the speed and intensity of the game, as well as the NFL’s elite athletes, in a setting that will make this matchup unforgettable.”

“We are incredibly proud to be part of an NFL regular-season game in Madrid, at the iconic Bernabéu,” said Falcons president and CEO Greg Beadles. “Atlanta and Madrid are a natural combination, as we will host two Spanish national soccer team group-stage games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the next FIFA World Cup. This opportunity reflects the continued global growth of both the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons, and we look forward to deepening our connection with our European community by hosting another major sporting event at home and returning to Europe for the fourth time in six seasons. On behalf of our entire organization, we are excited to experience Spain’s rich culture and collaborate with exceptional partners such as Real Madrid CF, the City of Madrid and the Community of Madrid. For the Falcons, it is an honor to be part of the NFL’s international growth.”

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