Chicago is one of three NFL teams with marketing rights in Spain under the league’s Global Markets Program; the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins are the other two. Marketing rights enable local promotion of the NFL brand, potential partnerships, and merchandise sales in the country, among other activities. The league has historically paired international games with teams that already have a business footprint in the market considered.
Madrid’s status as a growth market is a key factor. In November 2025, the Dolphins played the league’s first regular-season game in Spain, defeating the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime before more than 78,000 fans. Given that experience, either the Bears or the Chiefs could be headed to Madrid in 2026, with Chicago likely designated as the home team and therefore giving up one game at Soldier Field.
There will be nine regular-season NFL games overseas in 2026 across seven cities, including three in London and single games in Madrid and Munich. Other announced or reported locations include Paris, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City, though the final team lineup for those overseas games has not been released.
For the Bears, Spain represents a designated growth market, reinforced by their on-field improvements and rising buzz around quarterback Caleb Williams. Such factors contribute to the consideration of Chicago as a logical overseas destination in 2026, even as nothing is official yet.
As the league advances its international expansion, Bears fans should monitor Madrid as a plausible option for the 2026 schedule, with the broader plan to grow NFL fans abroad continuing to unfold.
