Real Madrid Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
The Santiago Bernabéu is the Real Madrid Football Stadium, which has been recognized by the UEFA with the highest distinction, « elite stadium » and it’s located in Paseo de la Castellana, in the Chamartín district of Madrid, Spain.
The Santiago Bernabéu is one of the largest football stadiums in Spain and it’s the home of the Real Madrid F.C. In this stadium has been celebrated other important sport events, such as matches of the Spanish soccer team, concerts and other shows.
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium starts in 1947
Real Madrid and F.C. Os Belenenses from Portugal inaugurated the stadium in 1947 with a friendly match under the name “Estadio Real Madrd C.F.”, although it continued to be known among fans as «Nuevo Estadio Chamartín». Its current name was assigned in 1955 in honor to Santiago Bernabéu, who was president of the team for 35 years.
The Bernabéu stadium underwent several renovations to increase its capacity, reaching to 106.000 spectators in the 90s.
With the arrival of Florentino Pérez to the presidency of the club in 2011, the so-called «Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Master Plan» was launched, and with this renovation they intended to improve the comfort and quality of the facilities.
After this last renovation in 2001, the capacity was reduced to 80.000 spectators and on November 14, 2011 the UEFA granted it the classification of elite stadium or «five stars».
The last renovation started in 2019 and will be completed in 2022. The aim of this project is to cover up the whole stadium, expand and restructure it. With this plan, they are seeking to increase its capacity by 8,000 seats.
Restructuring the stands, completely cladding the stadium with a retractable roof, a shopping center, the integration of a hotel and an underground parking will make the stadium one of the most modern and innovative in Europe.
What to see at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Santiago Bernabéu stadium is a place that provokes passions and stirs hearts. The Real Madrid Museum was inaugurated in 1999 with an exhibition of the most important trophies and a tour of the premises, which means that most of those who visit it are fascinated, since they set foot on the pitch or go through the changing rooms like their idols do before each game is a real dream.
During the visit to the stadium tour we can see the trophy room, where the most emblematic titles won by the club are exhibited, access to the dressing room and to the press conference room, which have been used by the team’s players and coaches.
The visit will also take us through the training ground, the doctors’ room and the club’s gym, as well as being able to step onto the pitch and contemplate the immensity of the stadium. At the end of the tour, we can take a photo with the UEFA Champions League trophy, which the Real Madrid won on its last season.
Real Madrid trophies
International Matches, Finals & Events
The Santiago Bernabéu stadium hosted the finals of the highest European continental club competition, the European Cup «Champions League» on a total of four occasions.
It also hosted the finals in other competitions such as the UEFA Cup, the Intercontinental Cup or the “Copa Libertadores”, which was the first time that a country from outside of America hosted the final of the “Copa Libertadores”.
The stadium hosted other great matches not only for the club but also for Spain, such as the 1964 Euro Cup final between Spain and the Soviet Union, in which Spain was proclaimed champion and marked the first continental title for the Spanish National Soccer Team.
It is worth highlighting the very important role that the stadium plays in national competitions such as the Spanish League and the “Copa del Rey”, where any small team that wants to face the Real Madrid can do it, so their fans can enjoy the spectacle of football in a big stadium and increase their income from the ticket sales.
The Santiago Bernabéu stadium has not only seen major football matches or international finals; it has also been used as a cultural space, since it hosted many concerts by big stars that performed at the venue, including The Beatles, Michael Jackson and the Rolling Stones, among others.
The stadium is one of the most emblematic and popular places in Madrid and therefore one of the most visited places in the city.
You can buy tickets online to see the next Real Madrid matches.
What else to see in Madrid
If you are staying in Chamartín district, you can visit the financial center of Madrid or the Sorolla Museum which is nearby and from this location you can start the post about visiting Madrid in one day.
You might also be interested in these tips for your first visit to Madrid or some of the places you should not miss on your second visit.
Our closest accommodations
If you want to stay near to the stadium, you can check out our accommodation in Chamartín, Salamanca or Chamberí districts; we provide accommodation for short stay, for weeks or even for days in « Edificio Escultor ». Our apartments are next to the popular “Calle Serrano” and Paseo de la Castellana.
Since we have different types of apartments, here there’s a list of apartments for companies or a list of apartments for students.
But in case you also want to live in Madrid and intend to be an owner or investor, we can help you get a Golden Visa and at the same time maximize the return on your new home.
