NFL’s U.K.-Based Academy Program Announces First-Ever Games in Spain
The Academy Will Compete Against Teams From Mexico and Spain in November as Part of the Madrid Jamboree
All Games Will be Open to the Public and Free to Attend at the Estadio de Vallehermoso
The NFL’s U.K.-based Academy program has announced it will play its first-ever games in Spain. The team will take the field against the Friendship Bowl Academy from Mexico on Friday, Nov. 14 and a Madrid Team on Saturday, Nov. 15.
Both games will be held at the Estadio de Vallehermoso as part of the Madrid Jamboree, a free-to-attend tournament hosted by the Madrid American Football Federation, as excitement builds in the city ahead of the 2025 NFL Madrid game on Sunday, Nov. 16.
The NFL’s U.K.-based Academy program is headquartered at Loughborough’s world-renowned centre of sporting excellence. As an elite player development program, the NFL Academy offers talented student-athletes a pathway to combine their full-time education with intensive training in American football under the guidance of a professional coaching team.
“It’s a privilege to compete in Spain for the first time against the backdrop of the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Madrid,” said Head of the NFL’s U.K.-based Academy program, Kris Durham. “Across a historic week for the NFL, events like the Madrid Jamboree further demonstrate the global growth of our sport and provide an important opportunity for emerging international talent to shine.”
68 players from 20 different countries feature on the U.K.-based Academy roster for the 2025-26 season, including Spanish prospects Adrian Bermudez (wide receiver) and Tom Gabarro (defensive back). Also representing the country on the team’s coaching staff is defensive coordinator Daniel Docal, who first discovered American football with Madrid’s own Osos Rivas.
As part of the Academy’s visit to the Spanish capital, the program will also host a scouting combine on Sunday, Nov. 16, at Polideportivo Jose Caballero. The event will provide young athletes aged 15-18 from across Spain the opportunity to showcase their skills and kick-start their journey in American football.
“In Spain, we’re fortunate to have an abundance of exceptionally talented young athletes across a wide range of sports,” said Daniel Docal. “American football is among those sports, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to meet and support aspiring players at our upcoming Madrid combine as they pursue their dream of playing professionally.”
More information about the Madrid Combine can be found here.
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The Washington Commanders will take on the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 16 at the Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. To tune-in to the 2025 NFL Madrid game, fans in Spain can watch on Mediaset España’s free-to-air channel Cuatro or on DAZN.