The NFL Madrid game 2026 brings American football back to the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday 8 November 2026, when the Atlanta Falcons host the Cincinnati Bengals in a Week 9 regular-season game. After the sold-out debut in 2025, this is the second official NFL game in Spain, and the Bernabéu is set to be one of the hottest sports tickets in Europe this autumn.
This guide covers everything international fans need: kickoff time in your time zone, ticket prices and where to buy, the strict stadium bag policy (no backpacks), how to get to the Bernabéu by metro, what we know about fan events, and practical tips for your trip to Madrid.
Quick tip: the Bernabéu does not allow backpacks or large bags, so book luggage storage near the Santiago Bernabéu and walk to the gates hands-free.
NFL Madrid Game 2026: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Game | Cincinnati Bengals vs Atlanta Falcons (Falcons are the designated home team) |
| Date | Sunday 8 November 2026 (NFL Week 9) |
| Kickoff | 3:30 pm CET Madrid / 9:30 am ET / 2:30 pm GMT (UK) |
| Venue | Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Av. de Concha Espina 1, 28036 Madrid |
| Capacity | Around 80,000 (78,610 attended the 2025 game) |
| Tickets | €93.40 to €438.75 all-in, via nfl.tmtickets.es (NFL Ticketmaster account required) |
| Bag policy | Small clear bags only; no backpacks, no luggage |
| Nearest metro | Santiago Bernabéu (Line 10) |
| US TV | NFL Network |
Bengals vs Falcons in Madrid: What to Expect
The 2026 NFL Madrid game is part of a record nine international games this season, and it follows a multi-year agreement between the NFL and Real Madrid to keep playing at the Bernabéu. The regional government has also confirmed a third game in Madrid in 2027, so Spain is now a fixture on the NFL calendar.
For the Falcons this is their sixth regular-season game outside the US, after London (2014, 2021, 2023), Toronto (2013) and Berlin (2025). The Bengals are making their third international trip after London in 2016 and 2019. Expect a strong travelling contingent from both cities: Atlanta is one of the top ten US cities for air traffic to Madrid, with more than 90,000 travellers a year.
The 2025 game (Dolphins 16, Commanders 13 in overtime) drew 78,610 fans, almost half of them from abroad, and was broadcast in more than 150 countries. Madrid is counting on an even bigger international turnout in 2026.
NFL Madrid Tickets: Prices and Where to Buy
General admission tickets for the NFL Madrid game went on sale on 9 July 2026 through the NFL’s official partner Ticketmaster Spain. You need a free NFL Ticketmaster account, and there is a limit of six tickets per account per game. Tickets are digital and are emailed up to 72 hours before kickoff.
From the 2026 season the NFL shows all-in prices for international games, so the price you see includes every fee. These are the official 2026 price categories:
| Category | All-in price |
|---|---|
| Category 1 | €438.75 |
| Category 2 | €383.75 |
| Category 3 | €333.75 |
| Category 4 | €278.75 |
| Category 5 | €228.75 |
| Category 6 | €180.60 |
| Category 7 | €153.35 |
| Category 8 | €131.55 (child €66.15) |
| Category 9 | €104.30 |
| Category 10 | €93.40 (child €47.08) |
A limited number of under-16 child tickets are available in categories 8 and 10. Children aged 18 months and under enter free with a “Babes in Arms” ticket collected at the box office on game day. Hospitality packages are sold separately on the NFL hospitality page, and official ticket-plus-hotel packages are offered by SportsBreaks, Dertour and On Location.
If general admission is sold out when you read this, check the official Ticketmaster page for resale releases and the team travel programmes (Falcons Fan Travel and Bengals official packages). Avoid unofficial resellers: the Bernabéu checks digital tickets at the gate and duplicates are cancelled.
Bernabéu Bag Policy for the NFL Game
This is where many international fans get caught out. NFL international games use the league’s clear bag policy, and the Bernabéu applied it in full in 2025. Expect the same rules in 2026 (the NFL publishes the final policy on nfl.com before the game, so double-check a few days ahead).
What you can bring
- One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 30.5 x 15.25 x 30.5 cm (12″ x 6″ x 12″)
- Or a one-gallon clear freezer bag (Ziploc style)
- Plus one small clutch or bag up to 11.5 x 16.5 cm (4.5″ x 6.5″), with or without a strap
- An empty, transparent reusable water bottle up to 1 litre
- Collapsible umbrellas under 60 cm (not to be opened inside)
What is not allowed
- Backpacks of any size, fanny packs and non-clear drawstring bags
- Luggage, suitcases, laptop bags and briefcases
- Purses larger than 11.5 x 16.5 cm
- Food, drinks and alcohol, coolers and thermoses
- Cameras with lenses longer than 15 cm, selfie sticks, drones, laser pointers
- Banners, signs, air horns, noisemakers and large seat cushions
Crucially, the stadium and security staff will not hold or check prohibited items. If you arrive with a backpack, you will have to leave the queue and get rid of it. That is why flying in on game day, or checking out of your hotel before the game, is a problem unless you have somewhere to leave your bags. A Radical Storage location near the Bernabéu solves this: see storage points near the stadium.
How to Get to the Santiago Bernabéu on Game Day
The Bernabéu sits on the Paseo de la Castellana in the north of central Madrid, about 15 minutes by metro from Puerta del Sol. Madrid City Council strongly recommends public transport: in 2025 the streets around the stadium were closed to traffic from the Saturday morning until Sunday evening, and parking nearby was banned.
Metro Line 10 to Santiago Bernabéu
The easiest route is Metro Line 10 (dark blue) to Santiago Bernabéu station, which exits right at the stadium. From Sol, take Line 1 to Tribunal or Line 2 to Noviciado and change to Line 10. From Gran Vía or Callao, take Line 5 to Alonso Martínez and change to Line 10. The metro runs from about 6:00 am to 1:30 am; buy a rechargeable Multi card at any station machine (contactless cards accepted).
Alternatives when Line 10 gets crowded after the final whistle: Concha Espina (Line 9) and Nuevos Ministerios (Lines 6, 8 and 10, plus Cercanías commuter trains) are both a 10 to 15 minute walk away. Nuevos Ministerios is also the stop for the Cercanías and Line 8 link to Madrid-Barajas Airport.
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Metro | Santiago Bernabéu (L10), Concha Espina (L9), Nuevos Ministerios (L6, L8, L10) |
| Cercanías | Nuevos Ministerios (C1, C2, C3, C4, C7, C8, C10), then 15 min walk or one stop on L10 |
| EMT bus | Lines 14, 27, 40, 43, 120, 126, 147, 150 along the Castellana (some diverted on game day) |
| Taxi | Ranks on Pedro Teixeira, General Perón, Orense and Paseo de la Habana; expect road closures |
| Walking | 10 to 20 min from Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios or Tetuán; about 1 hour from Sol |
In 2025 gates opened at 11:30 am for a 3:30 pm kickoff. Arrive at least 90 minutes early for security screening, and give yourself extra time if you need to drop bags off first.
NFL Fan Events in Madrid
For the 2025 game, the NFL ran a free fan zone in Plaza de España over the weekend, with team activations, merchandise and big screens. The NFL has not yet announced the 2026 fan event programme as of October 2026, but a fan zone in the city centre in the days before the game is expected again. Check official NFL International page in late October for confirmed locations and opening hours.
Official NFL merchandise, including Bengals and Falcons Madrid game gear, is sold through the NFL Shop Europe and at the stadium on game day. Bars around Plaza de Santa Ana, Malasaña and Chamberí typically fill with travelling fans on the Saturday night, and many show NFL games all weekend.
Tips for International Fans Travelling to Madrid
- Passport and entry: US and UK passports should be valid for at least three months beyond your departure date. The EU Entry/Exit System means extra biometric checks at Barajas, so allow more time on arrival.
- Where to stay: Chamartín, Nuevos Ministerios and Chamberí put you within walking distance of the stadium. Sol, Gran Vía and Salamanca are 15 to 20 minutes away by metro and better for sightseeing.
- Weather: early November in Madrid is typically 8 to 16°C (46 to 61°F). Bring layers; the Bernabéu has a roof but the stands are open to the air.
- Time zone: Spain is on CET (UTC+1) in November. The 3:30 pm kickoff is 9:30 am in Atlanta and Cincinnati, so the game ends in time for a late lunch and an evening out in Madrid.
- Money: contactless cards work almost everywhere, including the metro. ATMs at the airport charge high fees; use a bank branch in the city instead.
- Make a weekend of it: the Prado, Retiro Park, the Royal Palace and the Bernabéu Tour (bookable on non-game days) are all easy to combine with the game.
- Check 48 hours before: re-read your digital ticket email, the final bag policy and any Metro or road-closure notices.
Luggage Storage Near the Santiago Bernabéu with Radical Storage
Because the Bernabéu bans backpacks and luggage, and staff will not hold them, you need a plan for your bags. Radical Storage partners with verified local businesses across Madrid, including shops and hotels around the Castellana, Nuevos Ministerios and the city centre, where you can drop your bag for a few hours or the whole day.
Every booking includes protection of up to €10,000 per bag, free cancellation and a simple online check-in. With 16,500+ locations in 2,300+ cities and a 4.8/5 rating from 8M+ bags stored, it is the easy way to arrive at the stadium with nothing but your ticket and a small clear bag.
Heading to the NFL Madrid game? Store your bags near the Santiago Bernabéu and walk straight to the gates.
NFL Madrid Game 2026: FAQ
The Cincinnati Bengals play the Atlanta Falcons at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday 8 November 2026. It is a Week 9 regular-season game and the Falcons are the designated home team.
Kickoff is at 3:30 pm local time (CET), which is 9:30 am Eastern in the US and 2:30 pm in the UK.
Official all-in prices range from €93.40 (Category 10) to €438.75 (Category 1), with limited child tickets at €47.08 and €66.15. Tickets are sold through nfl.tmtickets.es and require an NFL Ticketmaster account.
No. The NFL clear bag policy applies: only a clear bag up to 30.5 x 15.25 x 30.5 cm or a one-gallon freezer bag, plus a small clutch up to 11.5 x 16.5 cm. Backpacks, luggage and larger purses are refused at the gate and staff will not store them.
Radical Storage has verified partner locations around the Castellana, Nuevos Ministerios and central Madrid. Book online, drop your bags before the game and collect them afterwards. Each bag is protected up to €10,000 and cancellation is free.
Metro Line 10 (dark blue) stops at Santiago Bernabéu station, right outside the stadium. Concha Espina (Line 9) and Nuevos Ministerios (Lines 6, 8, 10 and Cercanías) are 10 to 15 minutes on foot and useful when Line 10 is crowded.
The NFL ran a free fan zone in Plaza de España for the 2025 game. The 2026 fan event schedule had not been announced as of October 2026; check nfl.com/international/games/madrid for updates closer to the game.
