Falcons train at Real Madrid

The Atlanta Falcons began their week of preparation in Spain by holding a practice session at the training center of Real Madrid. The Cincinnati Bengals joined them the following day to begin their own preparations at the facilities of the Spanish national soccer team. Both teams arrived in the capital on Tuesday to prepare for Sunday's matchup at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski described the facilities as ideal for the team's needs. He noted that while the team's arrival was simple, the logistics of transporting a professional football roster internationally required extensive coordination. Stefanski expressed gratitude to the NFL and his organization for handling the complex operational details that allowed the players to focus on their game.

This contest marks the second regular season NFL game held in Madrid. The inaugural event last year featured the Miami Dolphins defeating the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime. Rafa de los Santos, the NFL country manager for Spain, confirmed that current preparations are proceeding according to plan. He stated that both the stadium operations and local city events are ready for the upcoming weekend.

Organizers plan a special tribute during the game to honor the 69 people killed in a high-speed train collision last week. The specific format of the remembrance will be revealed on game day. This event is the seventh of nine international games on the NFL schedule for the current season, with the remaining contests set for Munich and Mexico City.

The Bernabeu stadium is expected to host approximately 80,000 spectators on Sunday. Officials anticipate that the playing surface will be in excellent condition, a priority for the host soccer club. Tickets for the event were still available as of Wednesday, following a crowd of 78,610 at last year's game.

The halftime performance will feature Colombian singer Manuel Turizo. Organizers must adhere to local noise regulations, as concerts at the venue have been restricted since 2024 due to complaints from residents in the nearby upscale neighborhood. De los Santos confirmed that all audio levels will comply with Spanish law.

The agreement between the NFL and Madrid includes one additional year of games in the Spanish capital. The split training setup reflects the specific partnerships each team has secured, with the Bengals utilizing the Spanish federation's grounds where they played two matches during the World Cup earlier this year.