Riyadh Air Metropolitano will host the Miami Dolphins’ official training sessions ahead of Spain’s first-ever official NFL game. The Dolphins will face the Washington Commanders on November 16 at Santiago Bernabéu, but the team will prepare at Atlético Madrid’s stadium from November 12 to 15.

Close ties between Atlético and the NFL

Atlético announced that the Metropolitano will be adapted to American football dimensions, including field lines, goalposts, and spaces for locker rooms, a gym, and a press area.

This isn’t Atlético’s first contact with the NFL or the Dolphins. When the American Football League considered coming to Spain, the Metropolitano was a frontrunner to host the first game, but Real Madrid’s last-minute sprint tipped the balance in favor of the Bernabéu. During the most recent draft, Fernando Torres announced from the rojiblanco stadium that he would be one of the Dolphins’ picks, while players like Antoine Griezmann and Koke —both passionate NFL fans, with Griezmann even hosting a podcast— have previously visited Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

Ties between Atlético and the Dolphins are further strengthened through Stephen Ross, the Florida team’s owner and real estate magnate, with a Forbes-estimated net worth of over €17 billion. In 2023, rumors surfaced about his potential interest in Atlético, highlighting strong personal and business relations with the club.

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— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) June 4, 2025

Metropolitano transformed for American football

During the international break, the stadium will be converted: the pitch will be adjusted to American football dimensions (109.7 m x 48.8 m) and goalposts installed for field goals and extra points. The Dolphins will arrive in Madrid after their home game against the Buffalo Bills on November 11, and train from Wednesday to Saturday to finalize preparations for this historic match.