NFL's Global Expansion Soars: Madrid and Ireland Games Sell Out in Hours

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The National Football League (NFL) is making waves globally, with its games in Madrid and Ireland selling out in a matter of hours. The high demand for tickets is a testament to the league's growing popularity worldwide. In Madrid, nearly 700,000 people tried to get a seat to watch the Miami Dolphins play the Washington Commanders at Real Madrid's iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The demand was similarly high in Dublin, where 600,000 digital devices were logged on to try to buy tickets for the Pittsburgh Steelers' game against the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park. The NFL's international expansion has been rapid, with more countries reaching out to host games. Gerrit Meier, managing director and head of NFL International, said, "Our ambition for international is to be a truly global sport." Peter O'Reilly, the NFL vice president in charge of international affairs, added, "Probably a day doesn’t go by" without a city expressing interest in hosting a game. The host cities have treated the games as their own mini Super Bowls, with promotional events, fan activities, and high-profile performances at halftime. The economic impact of these games has been significant, with London's estimated economic impact reaching $2.6 billion since the first game in 2007. The NFL plans to continue expanding globally, with games scheduled for Australia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, next year. Commissioner Roger Goodell has reiterated that the league aims to increase the number of international games, with each team playing one game abroad every year. The NFL's Global Markets Program has also been expanded, allowing teams to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the United States. With all 32 teams participating in 21 international markets, the league is set to become a truly global sport property. As the NFL continues to grow globally, teams are jumping on the opportunity to expand their brand internationally. The Miami Dolphins' vice president of international development, Felipe Formiga, said, "When you play a game abroad, it’s not just about the result on the field. It’s about celebrating American football internationally and making history by playing in this first-ever game in Spain.