NFL Announces Change That Will Shape the 2026 Season

The NFL has confirmed a significant shift for the 2026–27 season, signaling another step in the league’s long-term push beyond the United States. The announcement arrives as the current season draws to a close and attention naturally turns toward what comes next for the sport.

Following Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, the league will officially enter the offseason. The championship game is set to feature the Seattle Seahawks against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Once the final whistle blows, teams, fans, and league officials will pivot toward preparation for the future.

For many fans, the offseason always comes with mixed emotions. The Super Bowl remains one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, but for supporters whose teams are not involved, it also marks the beginning of a long wait. That sense of anticipation is part of what makes major league announcements carry extra weight at this time of year.

On Monday, February 2, the NFL revealed that it will return to Madrid, Spain, for regular-season action beginning with the 2026–27 campaign. Games will again be played at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as part of a multiyear partnership with the City of Madrid and the Comunidad de Madrid.

NFL Spain country manager Rafa De Los Santos described the league’s earlier appearance in the city as a turning point. He said the 2025 game at the Bernabéu proved pivotal for the sport’s growth in Spain and confirmed that the new agreement reflects a deeper, long-term commitment to the market.

According to the NFL, Spain represents a key audience, with research indicating a fan base of roughly 11 million people. League officials view the renewed presence in Madrid as an opportunity to engage supporters year-round and expand youth participation initiatives across the country.

Real Madrid also welcomed the decision. Emilio Butragueño, the club’s director of institutional relations, called it an honor to host the NFL once again, noting that the first game created a historic moment for both organizations. He said the continued partnership strengthens Madrid’s global profile and the wider Spanish sporting brand.

Madrid is just one stop in an increasingly international schedule. For the 2026 season, the NFL has confirmed seven games outside the United States, with expectations that at least eight will be played abroad. The current lineup includes matchups planned for Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, Munich, London, and Madrid.

As the league broadens its global footprint, the 2026 season stands as another marker of how American football is evolving. What was once a largely domestic product is steadily becoming a worldwide spectacle, reshaping how and where the game is experienced.