Dolphins Takeover in Madrid Culminates in Historic NFL Game
MADRID – Dreary skies and rain didn’t stop aficionados from various countries from lining up around the block of a Miami Dolphins fan zone at Plaza de España to see Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino address a crowd.
Large helmets of the Dolphins and their opponent Sunday,the Washington Commanders,were displayed in front of the remarkable architecture of madrid city Hall, facing the Spanish city’s iconic Plaza de Cibeles.
At Parque del Retiro, Madrid’s version of New York’s Central Park, an inflatable Dolphins mascot TD is stationed by a large lake, with the Monument of King Alfonso XII serving as the backdrop.
The aptly named Fuente de los Delfines – or Dolphins Fountain – is illuminated aqua at night, when many Dolphins fans from around the world converging on Madrid this weekend may be going out for a drink at Collins Irish Tavern for the team’s official pub party.
The Dolphins (3-7) and NFL’s Madrid takeover, bringing American football to a nation more aligned with fútbol, or soccer in the United States, finally culminates in Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. Eastern time kickoff against the Commanders (3-7) at the historic venue of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium for the league’s first game in Spain.
The inter-conference game between two teams with losing records and ample injured starters certainly carries more meaning for the NFL’s initiative to grow the sport in foreign nations than it does in the standings. The early result won’t impact any 4 p.m. playoff picture graphics as the 1 p.m. slate of games conclude Sunday.
The Dolphins are at the forefront of that league push, with president and CEO Tom garfinkel emphasizing to ESPN in a story published this past week Miami wants to become the NFL team of the Spanish-speaking world.
At Bernabéu, the dolphins’ technical home game takes place at the home of one of the world’s most winningest soccer clubs, Real Madrid, with a record 15 UEFA Champions League titles and 36 La Liga championships.
“I’d have to assume it’d be like playing baseball in Yankee Stadium,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said. “It’s going to be an honor. We certainly won’t take it for granted and hopefully we can carry on the winning tradition that’s been going on ther for years.”
Spain’s historic sporting venue opened in 1947, had renovations completed in 2024 and has a retractable roof, which will come in handy with the rainy weather Madrid is experiencing.