Madrid has achieved a historic milestone: the first official NFL game held at the Santiago Bernabéu generated an estimated economic impact of €150 million, becoming one of the biggest financial boosts of the year for the capital.
The match, which brought together 78,610 fans, attracted 42,000 international tourists who traveled specifically to experience the sporting spectacle, consolidating the city as a global destination capable of competing with London, Munich, or New York in hosting major sporting events.
🚨 NEW: The NFL game generated €150 MILLION in Madrid City.
42,000 out of the 78,610 fans who came to the Bernabéu were tourists. €21M was generated in bars and restaurants.
The NFL Madrid game at Bernabéu is considered a HUGE success. @diarioas 💰 pic.twitter.com/q71jfsqoyj
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 18, 2025
Spending in bars and restaurants reached €21 million, a figure that confirms the enormous impact of the event on Madrid’s hospitality sector.
The city also recorded nearly 90% hotel occupancy, with thousands of visitors extending their stay for several days to enjoy the pre- and post-game atmosphere. Madrid not only filled stadiums: it filled tables, hotels, taxis, shops, and leisure areas, generating immediate employment and strengthening the entire urban tourism value chain.
The event’s success reflects a management model based on order, public safety, and the international projection of the city.
Madrid demonstrated that it is capable of organizing and guaranteeing the safety of tens of thousands of visitors, offering a flawless experience and reinforcing confidence in its institutions. Coordination between security forces, municipal services, and private operators allowed an event of this magnitude to run without incidents, on time, and with logistics praised by foreign visitors.
The NFL has been expanding in Europe for years, and Madrid now positions itself as a new strategic hub for global competitions.
The Bernabéu, with its modern infrastructure and capacity to host top-level shows, acted as a magnet for high-income fans. This type of visitor, who consumes, moves, and spends more than the average tourist, left an economic footprint surpassing that of many conferences and major international fairs.
🚨 NEW: The Bernabéu’s NFL game generated an economic impact of around €150M in the city of Madrid.
Of the 78,610 people who attended, around 42,000 were international tourists mainly from USA & neighboring European countries.
The stadium & city impressed EVERYONE. @diarioas pic.twitter.com/VJ2W3xasGD
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) November 18, 2025
In addition to the direct economic impact, the game reinforced crucial social values: family unity, institutional respect, and the celebration of sporting traditions that promote coexistence. Thousands of families attended the event together, enjoying a spectacle that combines sports, culture, and entertainment without ideological divisions.
When managed with seriousness and vision, sport becomes a tool for cohesion and prosperity.
However, this success contrasts with the usual attitude of the left, which tends to criticize or put obstacles in the way of any initiative involving public-private collaboration, international investment, or the country’s external projection.
While Madrid opened itself to the world and generated real wealth, certain sectors insisted on narratives that despise such events for supposed “commercialization of sport” or for attracting foreign cultural models.
This reductionist view not only ignores the enormous economic potential of sports tourism but also dismisses the opportunity to strengthen Spain’s image as a modern, safe nation capable of competing internationally.
The NFL game proves that when governance is orderly, ambitious, and respectful of traditions, results follow: more jobs, more wealth, more tourism, and more prestige.
Madrid has sent a clear message to the world: with serious management, safety, and institutional leadership, the city can aspire to become a global reference for sports and entertainment.
And it has also sent a clear message to the left: while some criticize, others work, and the facts — €150 million and unprecedented international projection — speak for themselves.
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About The Author
Rafa Gómez-Santos Martín
Rafael Santos is a Portuguese writer and political analyst dedicated to educating Hispanics on traditional values and the importance of protecting children and families. With years of experience in media and public discourse, he has been a strong advocate for cultural preservation and moral principles in an ever-changing world. Passionate about culture, sports, and current affairs, Rafael brings insightful analysis to political and social debates, striving to empower the Hispanic community with knowledge and a deeper understanding of the issues that shape their lives.
