The NFL's arrival will disrupt the stability Real Madrid has finally achieved with its playing surface.
For years, the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was a problem for Real Madrid. After several attempts to resolve the issue, the club has finally achieved stability regarding the condition of the playing surface. However, the arrival of the NFL will force another replacement in the coming weeks.
Real Madrid and the Santiago Bernabéu still have two matches together before the team begins a run of away fixtures. Los Blancos will face Sevilla and Leipzig before taking on Barcelona in the Clásico on October 25. They will then begin a spell of playing several matches away from home because of the NFL's arrival in Madrid. A new pitch will be installed in the coming weeks.
According to MARCA, Real Madrid will replace the playing surface again after the NFL game. From October 21, the Spanish capital will begin preparing for the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals. It will be one of the games played outside the United States.
Madrid has once again been chosen to host a historic sporting event, and the Santiago Bernabéu will undergo several changes to accommodate the game. From October 21, Real Madrid will suspend activities at their stadium to prepare for the NFL event. The stadium will host a game expected to generate significant economic benefits for the club, but the playing surface will also face a workload it is unlikely to withstand without needing replacement.
MARCA reports that the club's pitch maintenance specialists believe a new playing surface will need to be installed after the NFL game. Unlike European football, NFL games involve many more players on the field at the same time, and many weigh more than 100 kilograms. The aim is to ensure the pitch is in the best possible condition for the game between Cincinnati and Atlanta. However, the club does not intend to keep using it after the National Football League has visited Madrid.
These changes to the pitch will not cause any problems for Real Madrid. After the two aforementioned home matches, the team will visit Barcelona and will not return to the Santiago Bernabéu until November 22. On that occasion, Los Blancos will host Celta Vigo on matchday 13 of the Spanish Championship season.
The NFL game in Madrid is scheduled to take place on November 8, 2026. Several days will be required to prepare the stadium for the event, followed by additional time to dismantle the infrastructure needed to host the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals. Once the event is over, the Santiago Bernabéu will have a new pitch installed.
