The Spain-US Chamber of Commerce and Casa España hosted a cocktail reception yesterday at Casa España in Atlanta, which is The Spain-US Chamber of Commerce and Casa España hosted a cocktail reception yesterday at Casa España in Atlanta, which is the official fan zone for the Spanish team during the FIFA World Cup, honoring the National Football League and the Atlanta Falcons ahead of the Falcons’ regular-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on November 8, 2026.
Last year, Madrid opened the Santiago Bernabéu to American football for the first time. This year, the exchange runs in both directions. Atlanta is hosting the world Cup, with Spain among the nations competing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this summer, and in November the Atlanta Falcons travel to that same Bernabéu for the second regular-season NFL game ever played in Spain. Two cities, one season, each opening its stadium to the other.
The reception, held at one o’clock, brought together business, civic, and cultural leaders from both countries during a World Cup summer in which Atlanta is one of the tournament’s host cities. The Madrid game is one of a record nine international games on the NFL’s 2026 calendar, played across four continents.
The program featured remarks from Matt Shapiro, Senior Vice President of Global Events and Market Strategy at the National Football League; and Josh Blank, Vice President of Executive Strategy at AMB Sports and Entertainment, the company behind the Atlanta Falcons.
Each speaker reflected on the significance of the Madrid game, the NFL’s expansion in Europe, and the role of the Atlanta Falcons in carrying their city onto a global stage.
“We are so excited to be back at Bernabéu. Last year was such an amazing success. A fully sold-out stadium. Nearly 80,000 people. I think for a group like this it is important to know how strong the tourism factor was. Not all those fans were from Spain. Almost 20 percent of those fans came from the U.S., more than 50 percent were from Spain, and the rest came from around the world.”
— Matt Shapiro, Senior Vice President of Global Events and Market Strategy, National Football League
“We are incredibly excited. When you think about Atlanta and the state of Georgia, we view both as a global city and a global state. One that continues to push the envelope in sports and entertainment and create opportunities that connect us with audiences around the world.”
— Josh Blank, Vice President of Executive Strategy, AMB Sports and Entertainment
The reception reflects the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce’s broader work in strengthening commercial and cultural ties between Spain and the United States, and the growing relationship between Atlanta and Madrid as both cities take their place on the international sporting stage in 2026.
As the countdown to November 8 begins, the event served as a reminder that sport continues to be one of the most powerful platforms for bringing people, cities, and economies together across borders.
