Spain awaits these NFL rivals for inaugural clash

The Miami Dolphins already have a dance partner for what will be the first official NFL game in Spain. On November 16th, in the 11th round of the American Football League competition, the Florida team will face, as AS has learned, the Washington Commanders at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The game will be officially announced on Tuesday, May 13, when the NFL releases the details of all the international matches it will play in 2025.

Dolphins vs Commanders for Madrid 2025

The Dolphins’ participation had been known since January 17, but two key questions remained: the date of the game and the identity of the visiting team. This outlet had already revealed that November 16 would be the chosen date – coinciding with an international break in European soccer, ensuring the Bernabéu would be free. The final step was selecting the franchise to accompany Miami. After weighing several options, the NFL has chosen the Commanders, last season’s NFC finalists, as the opponent.

Star names like Jayden Daniels – the Offensive Rookie of the Year – Deebo Samuel, recently traded from the San Francisco 49ers, and Terry McLaurin will take the field in Madrid, going head-to-head against Dolphins standouts such as Tyreek Hill, Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Ramsey.

The Commanders, who were historically known as the Redskins until dropping the name in 2019 due to its racist connotations, were one of the breakout teams of last season. Under new head coach Dan Quinn, they turned into one of the league’s most explosive and entertaining offenses, transforming their 4–13 record in 2023 into a 12–5 campaign that took them to the playoffs. They fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The NFL will announce the full slate of its 2025 international fixtures at noon ET on Tuesday, including the historic debut in Spain. The league will also break new ground in Dublin, where the Pittsburgh Steelers will host a game at Croke Park, and in Berlin, marking Germany’s first game outside Munich or Frankfurt with a matchup featuring the Indianapolis Colts. As usual, London will stage three games – two at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (hosted by the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns) and one at Wembley (with the Jacksonville Jaguars). Finally, São Paulo will once again welcome the Los Angeles Chargers.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.