NFL confirms one suspicion about the final international game and this detail makes things look even better for Chicago
The Chicago Bears will not have to host regular season international game in 2026.
Throughout the week of the NFL Scouting Combine, the league has been rolling out the various matchups for the international games set to be played during the 2026 regular season.
On Tuesday, the home team for the ninth international game was finally revealed with the Atlanta Falcons set to host a game in Madrid, Spain in 2026. Atlanta’s opponent has yet to be revealed but we can make a logical guess for who it could be based on the list of Falcons’ road opponents.
Two teams that immediately stand out are the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs, two teams with international marketing rights in Spain. Whether or not it’s Chicago, this news still has major implications for the Bears’ 2026 regular season.
Hidden detail of the Falcons playing in Spain makes things even better for Chicago
Last season, the first NFL game was held in Spain between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders. The Bears, Dolphins, and Kansas City Chiefs are the only three teams with international marketing rights in Spain, so it’s a logical guess that the Bears or Chiefs could make the trip back across the pond in 2026.
Regardless, the best part of this news is that since the Falcons are the “home” team for this final international game, that means Chicago will have officially nine home games at Soldier Field and only seven true road games this upcoming season, which is going to be a massive advantage.
Many assumed that since the Bears had nine scheduled home games that one of those games would be played internationally to make the team’s schedule “even out” if that makes sense. This is tremendous news for Bears fans by keeping that extra game at Soldier Field.
Last season, head coach Ben Johnson and multiple players praised the home field advantage the fans brought that paved the way for the team’s 11-6 season and played a massive role in the team’s two postseason home games.
Along with Marid, the NFL will also hosting games this regular season in Paris, Melbourne, Rio De Janeiro, Munich, London as the league continues to expand globally. We will learn later in the spring whether or not the Bears will take part in the international affairs and take on the Falcons in Spain.
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