'Quite an event': Madrid, ready for the match between Dolphins and Commanders

This Sunday, sports fans will be able to enjoy an event that marks a before and after. For the first time, the National Football League (NFL) disembarks in Spain, specifically in its capital, Madrid. A new step by the competition to continue with its goal of expanding and attracting a greater number of fans around the world.

The Miami Dolphins will face the Washington Commanders on Nov. 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid. The stadium is located on the Paseo de Castellana, one of Madrid's main avenues. More than 80,000 fans will be able to witness the game live.

This sporting event, called the NFL Madrid Game, carries great expectation, attracting fans from every corner of Spain and even from other countries. In addition, the economic impact is expected to be more than $70 million dollars.

The NFL, in collaboration with the authorities of the Spanish capital, have published a guide to provide an unforgettable and exciting experience for all fans and for all those who come to the Bernabéu to enjoy the game live.

The guide includes transportation options that fans can take to the Bernabéu. There will also be a fanshop with official NFL merchandise next to the stadium, activities at nearby venues, and games featuring the NFL Academy. 

The Commanders and Dolphins have already arrived in Spain

Both the Dolphins and the Commanders traveled to Spain days in advance to allow time for rest and preparation. Each of the franchises chose a specific place to train and get ready for this decisive confrontation.

In the case of the Commanders, the Washington DC franchise is preparing at Ciudad Real Madrid, where the UEFA Champions League's most successful team, Real Madrid, trains daily.

For their part, the Dolphins are rehearsing their tactics at the Metropolitano stadium, where Atletico Madrid plays its home games.

The NFL's director in Spain: "It's not a game. It's a whole event."

The league is aware of the importance, not only sporting, that the confrontation between the Commanders and the Dolphins in Madrid will have. The director of the NFL in Spain, Rafa de los Santos, said in an interview with the newspaper As, that this event will be "very special."

The president assured that the NFL "has very high expectations," something he saw in the applications for tickets. "When the tickets came out there were 700,000 devices trying to buy them. There is a lot of desire, we noticed it. All the tickets were sold out right away," he said, stressing that "everyone wants to be" at the Bernabéu this Sunday.

"It's not just the match. It's a whole event and you're going to be able to live the whole experience throughout the week. With a multitude of activities these days, things will go in crescendo until Sunday," he promised.

Bizarrap and Daddy Yankee to cheer the crowd at halftime

During the duel between the Dolphins and the Commanders, there will also be time to enjoy some other entertainment. For example, two of the world's most recognized Hispanic artists will be performing: Bizarrap and Daddy Yankee.

On the occasion of the presentation of their new collaboration, Daddy Yankee: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 0/66,  the Argentine producer and the Puerto Rican singer will perform during halftime.

"To be able to headline the halftime show at the first NFL game in Spain is a huge honor. And to do it alongside Daddy Yankee, a true legend, makes it even more special," said Bizarrap, in statements picked up by AFP. "The music and the song we have created together fills me with joy. Sharing it with fans around the world has already been an incredible experience, so get ready Madrid, get ready NFL, we're going to have a spectacular show," said the Puerto Rican artist.

The game between the Dolphins and the Commanders in Madrid is one of eight games that the NFL scheduled last year to be played outside the United States, as confirmed by the league's commissioner, Roger Goodell.