Falcons Practice at Real Madrid Before Sunday’s NFL Match in Spain

The Atlanta Falcons conducted their first practice at the training grounds of Real Madrid on Wednesday, beginning preparations for Sunday’s NFL game in Spain. The Cincinnati Bengals are scheduled to begin their workouts Thursday at the facilities of the Spanish national soccer team. Both teams arrived in Madrid on Tuesday to ready themselves for the matchup at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home to the 15-time European club champion.

Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski described the venue as an ideal location for the team to conduct its weekly routines. He noted the logistical effort required to transport an entire football organization across the Atlantic. Stefanski expressed gratitude toward the NFL and his front office for managing the complex process, stating that he simply arrived and boarded the plane while the organization handled the extensive groundwork.

The Falcons proceeded directly to Real Madrid’s center for their session. This marks the second regular-season NFL game hosted in Madrid, following the 2025 contest where the Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime. Rafa de los Santos, the NFL’s country manager for Spain, said that preparations for the stadium, city events, and logistics are progressing as planned. He stated that the team is prepared for a major event on Sunday.

Organizers plan to include a tribute during the game to honor the 69 people killed and dozens more injured in a high-speed train collision last week. The specific details of the ceremony have not been disclosed, with officials describing it as a surprise for the audience.

This contest is the seventh of nine international games on the NFL’s 2026 schedule, which also includes matches in Munich and Mexico City. De los Santos reported that the field at the Bernabeu is in pristine condition, a priority for Real Madrid. He predicted a crowd of approximately 80,000 for Sunday, exceeding the 78,610 attendees at last year’s game, and noted that tickets remained available at the time of reporting.

The Bengals chose to practice at the home of the Spanish national team, a squad that played two matches at the Falcons’ home stadium in Atlanta during the World Cup earlier this year. De los Santos highlighted that both facilities are accustomed to hosting elite athletes, noting that Real Madrid is used to managing high-level players while the soccer federation is familiar with accommodating world champions.

Colombian musician Manuel Turizo will perform during halftime. The show must adhere to local noise regulations, as concerts at the Bernabeu have been suspended since 2024 due to complaints from residents in the surrounding upscale neighborhood. De los Santos confirmed that the event will follow Spanish law and local adjustments. The NFL and Madrid have one additional year remaining on their agreement to host games in the city.