The NFL Madrid Game 2026 will open with Pablo Sáinz-Villegas performing Spain’s national anthem and Taylor Momsen singing the United States anthem before the Cincinnati Bengals face the Atlanta Falcons at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Kickoff is set for Sunday, November 8, at 3:30 p.m. CET and 9:30 a.m. ET. The matchup marks the NFL’s return to Madrid, with the pregame ceremony bringing together a Spanish classical guitarist with deep ties to the United States and one of modern rock’s most recognizable vocalists.
Pregame anthem performers set for Bernabéu
Sáinz-Villegas, a Spanish-born guitarist who has lived in the United States for more than 25 years, will perform the Spanish anthem. He has played in over 40 countries and appeared with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic. His career also includes performances at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.
The guitarist has performed for the Dalai Lama, collaborated with Plácido Domingo and Yo-Yo Ma, and played music written for him by film composer John Williams. He has previously performed at the Bernabéu in front of more than 85,000 people.
“As a proud Spaniard who has made the United States his home for the past 25 years, playing Spain’s anthem at the Bernabéu for an NFL game is deeply meaningful,” Sáinz-Villegas said. “Both countries have shaped me personally and artistically, and this occasion brings those parts of my life together. It is an exceptional honor to represent Spain through the guitar, an instrument so closely connected to our culture and identity.”
Momsen will handle the U.S. anthem. She is the lead singer of The Pretty Reckless, the multiplatinum rock band that has produced nine No. 1 songs on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, the most by a female-fronted band.
The Pretty Reckless broke through with its 2010 debut album, Light Me Up, and its catalog includes the multiplatinum song “Heaven Knows.” The band has toured with AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters and Guns N’ Roses. Its fifth studio album, DEAR GOD, arrived in 2026 and included the charting single “When I Wake Up.”
“I have been fortunate to perform remarkable songs alongside legendary artists, but singing the anthem at the NFL Madrid Game and representing my country on an international stage is especially meaningful,” Momsen said.
Turizo to lead halftime show
Manuel Turizo was previously named as the game’s halftime headliner. The Madrid performance is one of seven American Express-presented halftime shows scheduled across the 2026 International Games.
The league’s international slate will feature games and music events in seven countries on four continents, making it the NFL’s broadest global season to date.
NFL senior director of event presentation, music and entertainment Tim Tubito said the league wants the music surrounding the game to connect with local fans and reflect the host city.
“Pablo Sáinz-Villegas and Taylor Momsen will bring real energy to the pregame stage as the NFL returns to Madrid,” Tubito said. “Their performances will help establish the atmosphere for a major day of NFL football.”
Spanish broadcast plans
The two national anthems and the entire halftime show will air live in Spain on DAZN, Cuatro and Mediaset Infinity.
The Bengals-Falcons game will add to the NFL’s international regular-season history. The league has played 67 regular-season games outside the United States, with host cities including Berlin, Dublin, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Melbourne, Mexico City, Munich, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Toronto.
