Falcons train at Real Madrid, Bengals practice with Spain squad before Sunday NFL game
Teams arrived Tuesday for the second regular-season match in Madrid, with organizers citing mint field conditions and a surprise tribute for train crash victims.
By John Ferrari ·
The Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals began their final preparations for Sunday's NFL game in Madrid at the training grounds of two European soccer powerhouses.
The Falcons hit the field on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium's practice complex. The Bengals are scheduled to start their sessions on Thursday at the facilities used by the Spanish national soccer team. Both franchises flew into the Spanish capital on Tuesday to begin this week's routine.
The NFL has already played a regular-season game in Madrid once. Last year, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime at the same venue. That match drew a crowd of 78,610 spectators. This season's game is the seventh of nine international contests on the league's schedule. The remaining matches will take place in Munich and Mexico City.
NFL country manager for Spain, Rafa de los Santos, stated that all logistical elements are proceeding as planned. He confirmed that stadium operations and city-level events are ready for the upcoming Sunday. The organization expects to welcome approximately 80,000 fans to the Bernabeu. Tickets remained available for purchase as of Wednesday.
The venue's playing surface is a primary focus for the league. De los Santos described the field as being in mint condition. He noted that Real Madrid treats the pitch as a top priority, a standard the NFL shares. He expressed confidence that the grass will remain in excellent shape for the game, mirroring the quality seen during last year's inaugural event.
A tribute is planned during the game to honor the 69 people killed and dozens injured in a high-speed train collision last week. Organizers declined to provide details on the specific format of the memorial, describing it as a surprise for the attendees. The moment will be woven into the game's prelude.
The Bengals selected the Spanish national team's facility for their workouts. The Spanish soccer federation played two matches in Atlanta earlier this year during the World Cup. De los Santos pointed out that the Spanish federation is accustomed to hosting world champions, just as Real Madrid is used to handling high-level athletes like the Falcons.
Colombian musician Manuel Turizo will perform during halftime. The show must adhere to local noise regulations in the upscale residential area surrounding the stadium. Concerts at the Bernabeu were suspended in 2024 after neighbors filed complaints about excessive sound levels. De los Santos confirmed that the halftime production will follow all Spanish laws and regulatory guidelines.
The NFL and Madrid have one year remaining on their agreement to host games in the Spanish capital. The league is currently in the middle of a record-breaking international season. The next step for both teams is completing their practice schedules before the kickoff on Sunday.
