SportsQuest
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Week 9, Sun, Nov 8, 3:30 PM local

Cincinnati Bengalsat Atlanta Falcons

Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid. Fly into MAD.

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The matchup

Form, ESPN's model and the stat leaders
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The Bengals are 2-1 after 3 games, 3rd in the AFC North.

They are 1-1 on the road.

The Falcons are 1-2 after 3 games, 3rd in the NFC South.

They are 0-1 at home.

What we know about Santiago Bernabeu

Where visiting fans stay

From a specialist guide
  • Sol / Gran Via. 30 min. Cercanias C3 or C4 from Sol to Nuevos Ministerios, then a 15-minute walk, or EMT bus 147 or 150 from Sol. The center of town: the most hotels, Plaza Mayor and the tapas bars within a few blocks, and a direct train to Nuevos Ministerios.
  • Barrio de Salamanca. 25-35 min. Walk north or take an EMT bus up the Castellana. Upscale hotels and restaurants, safe and quiet at night, and close enough to walk to the game.
  • Chamberi. 20 min. EMT bus 27 up the Castellana, or walk. A local neighborhood between the center and the stadium, with mid-priced hotels and plenty of bars.
  • Castellana / Chamartin. 5-10 min. Walk to Avenida de Concha Espina. Business hotels steps from the gates. Easy on game day, but quiet at night and far from the sights.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The Bernabeu Market food hall, entered through Gate 54, packs close to 20 restaurants inside the stadium. The Irish Rover sits 0.3 miles away on Avenida de Brasil, opens at 12:30 pm daily and hosted an official NFL fan rally in 2025. The rest of the area is office towers and business hotels along the Castellana, so most fans sleep downtown and ride up.

Getting in from the airport

Checked at the source
MAD Madrid-Barajas. Metro Line 8 runs to Nuevos Ministerios in 12 minutes from T1-T2-T3 and 20 minutes from T4, for 4.50 to 5 euros including the 3 euro airport fee. Nuevos Ministerios is a 15-minute walk from the stadium. Taxis charge a flat 33 euros to anywhere inside the M-30 ring. Metro Line 8 links the airport with Nuevos Ministerios (12 min from T1-T2-T3, 20 min from T4; single ticket plus 3 euro airport fee, 4.50 to 5 euros). The Airport Express bus 203 runs 24 hours to Cibeles and Atocha for 5.10 euros, cash or contactless. Cercanias trains also stop at T4.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
Cercanias to Nuevos Ministerios. Nuevos Ministerios, then walk 15 minutes north on the Castellana. Walk from Nuevos Ministerios to Avenida de Concha Espina gates. Free S10 bus, about 10 min to Santiago Bernabeu stop on the Castellana. EMT bus 27, about 30 min. Paseo de la Castellana - Santiago Bernabeu stop.

Before kickoff

Checked at the source
The Bernabeu sits on city streets with no parking lots. A ticket-only security perimeter rings the stadium; in 2025 it opened about three hours before kickoff. In 2025 the NFL put giant team helmets at Palacio de Cibeles, a team fan zone at Plaza de Espana, an NFL Shop at the Bernabeu, and team rallies at Madrid pubs. Watch nfl.com/madrid and the NFL OnePass app for the 2026 lineup. In 2025 the NFL listed official team rallies at the Irish Rover (0.3 miles from the stadium), the James Joyce Irish Pub and Collins Irish Tavern.

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, a one-gallon clear freezer bag, or a small clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches. No backpacks, fanny packs, coolers or camera bags. This was the 2025 Madrid policy.
  • Bag storage: The NFL will not hold prohibited items. The Bernabeu runs a paid cloakroom outside the stadium; location and fee change by event.
  • Prohibited items: Drones, umbrellas with fixed shafts, noisemakers, laser pointers, poles, tripods, large markers, inflated balls and musical instruments were banned in 2025.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
Self-guided Classic tour from 37 euros online (40 at the box office): Real Madrid museum, panoramic stadium views, changing rooms and dugouts. Book a timed slot at realmadrid.com; enter at Gate 84 on Avenida de Concha Espina. Hours Monday to Saturday 9 am to 7 pm, Sundays 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Go Friday: on the day before and the day of an event the changing rooms and dugouts close. Guided tour from 56 euros, or Classic Flexible Time from 44 euros to use any time on your chosen date. Classic plus RM Games from 59 euros.

After the final whistle

From a specialist guide
There is no Metro at the stadium in 2026. Walk 15 minutes south on the Castellana to Nuevos Ministerios for Metro lines 6 and 8 and Cercanias trains, or queue for the free S10 bus. With 80,000 leaving at once, plan on 45 to 60 minutes to reach a downtown hotel.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Do not plan on Metro Line 10: Santiago Bernabeu station is closed for rebuilding through the end of 2026, even though many maps and guides still list it. Do not bring a backpack or any non-clear bag, because the NFL does not check prohibited items at the gate.

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • The Irish Rover

    Avenida de Brasil 7, 28020 Madrid

    An Irish pub running since 1995 with a sports program, a full kitchen and room for a crowd. It is the obvious pregame stop for fans who want a pint within walking distance of Concha Espina.

    Away fans: the closest big pub to the gates; the NFL used it for the official Commanders fan rally in 2025.

  • James Joyce Irish Pub

    Calle de Alcala 59, 28014 Madrid

    An Irish-owned pub a minute from Retiro Park that puts American football on its big screens every week through the Super Bowl. Easy to reach from downtown hotels before heading north.

    Away fans: shows NFL games every week of the season; hosted the NFL's official Commanders pregame rally on game day in 2025.

  • Collins Irish Tavern

    Calle de Sagasta 26, 28004 Madrid

    A Chamberi Irish tavern that served as a team home base for a full week in 2025.

    Away fans: the NFL's official Dolphins pub for the whole 2025 game week.

  • NFL Madrid Bar

    Calle del Laurel 4, 28005 Madrid

    Decked out in American style, it airs NFL games and the Super Bowl along with European soccer. Best for catching other Sunday games after the Madrid game ends.

    Away fans: madrid's American-themed bar for regular-season NFL games and the Super Bowl.

Sidequests in Madrid

In the order they happen. Each one earns points.

  1. Tour90 points

    Bernabeu Tour

    The tour covers the Real Madrid museum and a panoramic view of the bowl. It includes the changing rooms and dugouts, closed the day before an event.

    $$. The day before

  2. Eat50 points

    Lunch at Bernabeu Market

    The stadium's food hall sits through Gate 54. It holds close to 20 restaurants and food stalls.

    $$. The day before

  3. Outing40 points

    Walk Retiro Park

    Madrid's great central park is free to enter. The main gate sits on Plaza de la Independencia by the Puerta de Alcala.

    Free. The day before

  4. Landmark40 points

    Plaza Mayor

    Madrid's grand arcaded square sits at the heart of the oldest part of the city.

    Free. The day before

  5. Landmark65 points

    Royal Palace of Madrid

    The Royal Palace opens Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm in winter. Last entry is an hour before closing.

    $$. The day before

  6. Eat50 points

    Calamari sandwich at La Campana

    The bocadillo de calamares, fried squid in a crusty roll, is Madrid's signature street food. La Campana off Plaza Mayor is a classic place to eat one.

    $. The day before

  7. Photo50 points

    Mirador Madrid at Cibeles

    The rooftop deck of the Palacio de Cibeles costs 4 euros. The NFL parked its giant helmets here in 2025, and it opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 am to 2 pm and 4 to 7:30 pm.

    $. The day before

  8. Eat50 points

    Tapas at Mercado de San Miguel

    This century-old iron market sits by Plaza Mayor. It serves tapas and drinks until 1 am on Fridays, Saturdays, and holiday eves.

    $$. 19 hours before kickoff

  9. Eat50 points

    Game-day churros at San Gines

    Chocolateria San Gines has served chocolate and churros since 1894. It stays open 24 hours a day, every day.

    $. 6 hours before kickoff

  10. Drink75 points

    Pregame at the Irish Rover

    The Irish Rover sits 0.3 miles from the stadium and opens at 12:30 pm. It hosted the NFL's official Commanders fan rally in 2025.

    $$. 3 hours before kickoff

  11. Landmark40 points

    Almudena Cathedral on its feast day

    Monday, November 9 is the Almudena feast, a Madrid city holiday. It honors the patron saint of this cathedral beside the Royal Palace.

    Free. 18 hours 30 minutes after kickoff

Seats and views

Where each part of Santiago Bernabeu sits, and what you see from it.

Grada baja, end zoneGrada baja, corner, home sideGrada baja, home sidelineGrada baja, corner, home sideGrada baja, end zoneGrada baja, corner, visitor sideGrada baja, visitor sidelineGrada baja, corner, visitor sidePrimer anfiteatro, end zonePrimer anfiteatro, corner, home sidePrimer anfiteatro, home sidelinePrimer anfiteatro, corner, home sidePrimer anfiteatro, end zonePrimer anfiteatro, corner, visitor sidePrimer anfiteatro, visitor sidelinePrimer anfiteatro, corner, visitor sideSegundo anfiteatro, end zoneSegundo anfiteatro, corner, home sideSegundo anfiteatro, home sidelineSegundo anfiteatro, corner, home sideSegundo anfiteatro, end zoneSegundo anfiteatro, corner, visitor sideSegundo anfiteatro, visitor sidelineSegundo anfiteatro, corner, visitor sideTercer anfiteatro and the East side Cuarto anfiteatro, end zoneTercer anfiteatro and the East side Cuarto anfiteatro, corner, home sideTercer anfiteatro and the East side Cuarto anfiteatro, home sidelineTercer anfiteatro and the East side Cuarto anfiteatro, corner, home sideTercer anfiteatro and the East side Cuarto anfiteatro, end zoneTercer anfiteatro and the East side Cuarto anfiteatro, corner, visitor sideTercer anfiteatro and the East side Cuarto anfiteatro, visitor sidelineTercer anfiteatro and the East side Cuarto anfiteatro, corner, visitor sideHomeVisitors
Grada bajaPrimer anfiteatroSegundo anfiteatroTercer anfiteatro and the East side Cuarto anfiteatroTap any part of the stadium to see its view.