The National Football League announced that classical guitarist Pablo Sáinz-Villegas and rock vocalist Taylor Momsen will perform the national anthems at the 2026 NFL Madrid Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, as reported by as.com.
Sáinz-Villegas will perform the Spanish national anthem, while Momsen, frontwoman of The Pretty Reckless, will perform the United States national anthem before kickoff at 15:30 CET. The pairing brings together a classical instrumentalist and a multi-platinum rock artist for the league’s regular-season fixture in the Spanish capital.
Sáinz-Villegas Returns to the Bernabéu Stage
For Sáinz-Villegas, the assignment marks a return to a venue where he has previously performed before crowds exceeding 85,000 people. Born in Spain and based in the United States for over 25 years, the guitarist has built an international career performing with orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic.
“Como español orgulloso de mis raíces que lleva 25 años considerando Estados Unidos su hogar, interpretar el himno nacional de España para la NFL en el emblemático Bernabéu de Madrid es un momento increíblemente emotivo y significativo,” Sáinz-Villegas stated in comments released by the league. He added that the performance unites two cultures that have shaped his artistic path.
Taylor Momsen Brings Modern Rock to the International Series
Momsen enters the pre-game lineup following a career spanning more than a decade with The Pretty Reckless. Since their 2010 debut album, Light Me Up, the band has secured nine number-one singles on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, more than any other formation led by a woman.
“He tenido la oportunidad de interpretar muchas canciones increíbles junto a artistas verdaderamente legendarios, pero hay algo muy especial en cantar el himno en el 2026 NFL Madrid Game y poder representar a mi país en un escenario internacional,” Momsen said.
Madrid Joins Expanded International Game Schedule
The anthem performances complement a pre-game and halftime entertainment lineup that includes singer Manuel Turizo, who was named on October 9 as the headliner for the halftime show at the Bernabéu. Tim Tubito, senior director of event presentation, music, and entertainment for the NFL, noted that the selections aim to connect fans with local culture during a season in which the league will play more international games than ever.
The matchup between the Bengals and Falcons forms part of an expanded 2026 International Series encompassing fixtures across seven countries and four continents, featuring American Express-sponsored halftime shows at each venue.
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