Football fans gathered in Madrid for a historic weekend as the NFL brought a regular-season matchup to the Santiago Bernabéu.
Thousands of supporters participated in interactive events held at Plaza de España and Palacio de las Alhajas prior to the game.
The festivities included flag football, field goal challenges, and museum exhibits featuring the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Some international visitors noted the scale was different compared to events in the United States, according to “Yahoo Sports.”
Dutch fan Guus expressed his enthusiasm for the league’s expansion, stating “it is great that they are expanding the game and the market.”
On game day, more than 78,000 spectators packed the stadium to watch the Cincinnati Bengals face the Atlanta Falcons.
The atmosphere was described as world-class by attendees, with some suggesting the venue was “worthy of a Super Bowl.”
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led the offense with 271 passing yards and three touchdowns in the 34-17 victory.
Ja’Marr Chase contributed significantly to the win with 155 receiving yards and one touchdown catch.
Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson managed to keep his team competitive early by rushing for 100 yards and a score.
Following the performance, head coach Zac Taylor and his players praised the event, describing the experience as “first-class” and “incredible.”
The game concluded with a halftime show featuring musician Manuel Turizo.
Fans remained optimistic about the future of the sport in Europe following the successful weekend, as reported by “Yahoo Sports.”
The event served as a major milestone for the league’s international growth strategy.
Supporters from across the globe, including exchange students and long-time followers, traveled to Spain to witness the live matchup.
The combination of high-energy play and massive crowd turnout solidified the stadium’s reputation for hosting major sports events.