MADRID — The NFL takes center stage in Europe on Sunday morning as the Cincinnati Bengals face the Atlanta Falcons at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.
Kickoff is set for 9:30 a.m. Eastern time in Spain’s capital, marking the league’s second regular-season contest in the country following its debut there last year. The game is being carried across the country on NFL Network and locally in the Cincinnati market on NBC affiliate WLWT-TV, according to reports from The Sporting News and Cincinnati.com.
Contrasting momentum heading into Spain
The Bengals enter the Week 9 matchup with a 5-2 record after edging the Tennessee Titans 43-36 in overtime last week, according to team schedules compiled by Bengals Wire. In that victory, quarterback Joe Burrow produced six total touchdowns and piled up 462 passing yards despite tossing three interceptions, The Sporting News reported.
Atlanta, on the other hand, arrived in Madrid at 3-5 and seeking to rebound from an unusual defeat. In Week 8, the Falcons were held scoreless in rainy weather against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game in which Tampa Bay did not complete a single pass but rode running backs Bucky Irving and Kenny Gainwell to victory, according to The Sporting News. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was intercepted four times in that contest.
Reports gave slightly different tallies for Atlanta’s past results abroad. Cincinnati.com reported the Falcons hold a 2-3 mark in international play, while the New York Post listed their overseas record as 1-3. Cincinnati is 0-1-1 outside the United States, having last traveled abroad for a game in London in 2019.
Roster adjustments and Bernabéu atmosphere
Both squads dealt with roster changes ahead of Sunday’s kickoff. Cincinnati ruled out safety Kyle Dugger, Cincinnati.com reported in its pregame coverage.
For Atlanta, edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was cleared to play after sitting out with a back issue. However, the Falcons placed running back Brian Robinson Jr. on injured reserve, leaving NFL rushing leader Bijan Robinson without his primary backup, according to Cincinnati.com.
The setting inside the famed home of soccer giant Real Madrid offers plenty of spectacle. Colombian music artist Manuel Turizo was booked to headline the halftime entertainment, performing selections from his catalog following the 2026 release of his fifth album, Cincinnati.com reported.
“We’re going to have an amazing time with plenty of surprises for all the football fans,” Turizo said in comments reported by Cincinnati.com.
The event also drew interest from local sports icons. Fox 19’s Jeremy Rauch reported that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé expressed strong interest in attending Sunday’s game at his home venue, prompting excitement among Cincinnati players such as receiver Tee Higgins.
What comes next
Following Sunday’s contest in Spain, the Bengals head into a primetime home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 15, according to Bengals Wire. Atlanta will return stateside seeking to stabilize its season as both clubs navigate the second half of the NFL calendar.
