MADRID (AP) — The final international game of the NFL season will be played Sunday at Real Madrid's iconic Santiago Bernabeu stadium, the site that hosted the World Cup final more than four decades ago and most recently hosted Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.
The stadium, located in the heart of the Spanish capital, will host the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders in the first game of the NFL's regular season in Spain, and it will be the last of seven league games played abroad this season, the most ever as it continues to expand around the world.
The game will be one of the main events at the stadium as it undergoes a renovation that will ultimately cost nearly $2 billion.
“I am honored that a competition with the prestige of the NFL has chosen the Bernabeu as its home,” said Real Madrid club president Florentino Perez when the game was announced. “The Bernabeu is a source of pride for Real Madrid, the city of Madrid and Spain, and it is a huge responsibility that the NFL has chosen our country, our city and our stadium to present one of its most important competitions to the world.”
Here's a look at the history of the Bernabeu:
Football history
Italy defeated West Germany 3-1 at the stadium in the 1982 World Cup final, Spain's first time hosting a football showcase event.
Madrid also hosted the 2010 Champions League final, Europe's premier club competition, when Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich 2-0. Three more European Cup finals were held here – in 1957, 1969 and 1980.
In 1964, the Bernabeu hosted the European Championship final, which was won by Spain. The 2018 Copa Libertadores final, South America's premier club competition, was moved to the Bernabeu following incidents of fan violence in Argentina. River Plate beat Argentine rivals Boca Juniors 3-1.
The Bernabeu has hosted two UEFA Cup finals and two Intercontinental Cup finals, as well as over 30 Copa del Rey finals.
Repair work
The stadium opened in 1947 and was later named after the club's former president, Santiago Bernabeu, who initiated the project to build it.
It was first renovated in the 1950s and again in the 1990s, but major changes were made a few years ago, adding a new metal façade, a 360-degree video board and a retractable roof.
A retractable pitch was also added with a state-of-the-art system that allows grass to be stored under the stadium and in an underground greenhouse.
The latest renovation work was accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic as fans were not allowed at games and the team could play in the small Alfredo Di Stefano stadium at their training center.
Changes in the NFL
Traditional football locker rooms have been adapted to accommodate larger NFL teams, which have more players and require more space.
Some seating at both ends of the stadium had to be removed to accommodate the longer playing field required for college football, and the stadium's megastore had to be closed for a time before the game to add merchandise from both NFL teams.
The site unveiled a new exhibit featuring NFL helmets, the Vince Lombardi Trophy and a collection of 60 Super Bowl rings.
Noise problem
Last year, Swift and Grammy award-winning artist Karol G filled the Bernabeu for some of the stadium's final concerts as such events were temporarily banned following a dispute with neighbors who complained about noise in the posh area where the stadium is located.
The club is working on measures to reduce the noise generated in the venue so that it can be cleared for the resumption of concerts.
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