Traveled across the pond to see my hometown Miami Dolphins play the Washington Commanders at this…read moreone-of-a-kind stadium. Before leaving, I knew the "lite" version of the venue Real Madrid calls home. To get up to speed, I booked a guided tour of the stadium the day I landed in Madrid. I was there a week before the game and figured I'd check it out before the NFL fans started pouring in the city.
At first glance, it is large and unassuming. I would learn, among other things, the large exterior shingles formed a shell to keep sound in. It seemed like fact after fact about the stadium was something no other venue could claim. From retracting or expanding the roof while attendees were inside, to a seven story deep elevator that carries the field (pitch) through a series of processes to keep the six sections of grass in optimal condition. They'll even cut the grass at different levels depending on the opponent. The level of science involved in their players development was mind blowing. Right down to the more vertical style of bringing fans up and down the monstrosity of sections and seats, as opposed to the winding horizontal approach we take here in the states. It was all next level. Honestly, there are too many facts and features for me to remember, I won't do this iconic stadium any justice with my review. My advice is to find a reason to be in Madrid and attend a game or event in person. Maybe the biggest flex of the day was the fact they have so much money, they don't need to sell the naming rights. Let that sink in for a minute. The most successful sports franchise in the world takes a hard pass on collecting hundreds of millions because.... they can. Pretty amazing.
My tour was almost three hours long. I'll review it separately. The focus here was the first NFL game played in Madrid. First things first, if you are American, forget how games are held in an NFL stadium. This stadium is set up for volume and safety. Most European football games (American soccer) avoid alcohol in the stadium because of the level of fan devotion. For that reason, the only beer I could find was from two gentlemen walking the breezeway with draft beer backpacks. Sweet adaptation to make the Americans happy with beer at an American football game. Attendance that day was over 78k. Much more than the typical home game at Hard Rock stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The atmosphere was electric as you'd expect. The game itself started fairly boring. Both teams had poor records and it showed on the field. The game was tied 6-6 at halftime. We took that opportunity to visit the largest team store I have ever laid eyes on. It felt like it went on forever. Grabbed some Madrid memorabilia and got back for the second half. Washington scored a TD in the 3rd, which gave is a 2025 infamous 6-7 moment. Nobody cared in that stadium lol. What they did care about is amplifying the atmosphere with American songs like Journeys don't stop believing or John Denvers take me home country roads. I'd experienced this two years earlier in Frankfurt for Miami vs KC. It is one of the most unique feelings to be in another country and hear 80k people sing songs you've grown up with. That alone is worth the trip.
The Dolphins tied the game in the 4th and the football gods gave us an overtime game that saw Washington miss a game winning field goal. Miami hadn't played well and missed several opportunities to win throughout. They didn't miss their overtime field goal. As it split the uprights, the crowd roared and our Miami Dolphins had the first win in Spain. Just like that, a game we anticipated for months was over. I spent a few more days enjoying Madrid, before heading over to Portugal. The stadium was one of the highlights, along with a Dolphins OT win. Hopefully you'll find that reason to visit Madrid or follow your favorite NFL team to one of the many countries they now play in. It is worth it!
