Santiago Bernabeu Stadium: Capacity, Size, Events, Tickets and Legacy
Great teams need great stadiums. There are no greater teams than Real Madrid in the world and there are no greater stadiums than Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in world football. The iconic stadium is home to Real Madrid since the mid-20th century. It was a grand engineering marvel back then. The stadium was again renovated in 2019 to be more than just a football stadium.
Santiago Bernabeu now is a sports complex that can function on all seven days of the week. The complex is an excellent urban landscape and teems with activity even on non-matchdays. Florentino Perez’s vision for the new stadium came to life wonderfully and the team is reaping benefits on the pitch. Los Blancos are eyeing another successful La Liga and Champions League campaign to put a cherry on top of their new home.
Today we will explore the grand stadium’s history, the key men behind its construction, its renovation history, some of the key events at the ground and its impact on world football.
| Stadium Name | Estadio Santiago Bernabeu |
| City | Madrid |
| Area | Chamartin |
| Association | Real Madrid CF |
| Home to | Real Madrid CF |
| Capacity | 78,297 |
| Pitch Size | 105 m length by 68 m width |
| Major Events | La Liga, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Euros, FIFA World Cup, Copa Libertadores |
Introduction
Overview of Santiago Bernabeu
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu located in the Chamartin district of Madrid is the crown jewel of Real Madrid. Works on the grand stadium began in October 1944 and it was finally opened on 14th December 1947. The stadium was named after ex-footballer and legendary Real Madrid President Santiago Bernabeu.
Ever since its construction, the stadium has been a thing of beauty. Real Madrid’s success on the pitch only enhanced its reputation as fans from all over the world started flocking in to catch a game at the stadium.
The stadium was also the host of key games. It hosted four UEFA Champions League finals. It also hosted a Copa Libertadores Finals in 2018. Hence it was the only stadium to host the finals of two premier continental competitions. It was also the first stadium in the world to host a World Cup final and a UEFA Euros final.
The stadium was a popular event destination for political meetings, concerts and other sports as well. As the stadium was getting older, Real Madrid’s current President Florentino Perez undertook an ambitious renovation project to overhaul the stadium.
The renovation was completed in 2024 and the stadium is an architectural masterpiece. It brings multiple events like football, e-games, and shopping malls under one roof. It is only fitting that a team of Real Madrid’s quality gets to use this stadium.
Santiago Bernabeu 1947-2019
History, Location and Design of Santiago Bernabeu
The Campo de Chamartin stadium was becoming too small for Madrid’s growing population. The football team’s success meant it was almost filled every single week and could no longer accommodate larger crowds. Antonio Santos Peralba, the president in 1943, proposed a new stadium with an initial capacity of 40,000. However, financial difficulties prevented the project from kicking on.
Santiago Bernabeu’s ascension to the presidency changed the game in Madrid. His vision and belief in building a newer and bigger stadium was applauded by the club. He believed it would ultimately help the team in the long run if his dream of a 75,000-spectator arena was completed.
The Board of Directors visited the land adjacent to the Campo de Chamartin. The lands belonged to the Maqueda and Chavarri families. After multiple negotiations, land was acquired from the families for a total cost of 3 million pesetas.
The board held a competition of ideas for the design of the stadium. In September 1944, the project was awarded to the prize-winning design duo of Luis Alemany Soler and Manuel Munoz Monasterio. The next crucial part was securing finances for the mega project. Santiago Bernabeu was unfazed despite the distrust of banks to invest in a sporting stadium.
He gave freedom to his treasurer Luis Corrales to come up with a plan to issue bonds and mortgage guarantees on the club’s properties. Bernabeu’s enthusiasm helped convince Rafael Salgado, the president of Banco Mercantil e Industrial as he agreed to finance the project. The entire bond issuance process took place smoothly as it was an instant hit on the Stock Market.
On 27 October 1944, Santiago Bernabeu broke the ground with a first striker after it was blessed. Huarte y Companis, S.A. began working on the project under the architectural guidance of Alemany and Munoz and the civil engineering guidance of Carlos Fernandez.
Despite a shortage of basic materials in post-war Spain, the work progressed smoothly. In over 30 months, the entire stadium was almost complete. It had an excellent pitch and state-of-the-art dressing rooms, showers, swimming pools, massage rooms, infirmaries, emergency rooms, scope for offices and restaurants.
The stadium was finally set to be opened in late 1947. It cost a whopping 38 million pesetas. It was called Estadio Real Madrid Club de Futbol during its opening. Real Madrid who had been playing in the alternative stadium for 3 years, played in their new home for the first time against Portuguese side Os Belenenses. Sabino Barinaga, the Madrid striker, immortalized himself after scoring the first-ever goal there.
The stadium was also referred to as Nuevo Estadio Chamartin or Chamartin and had a capacity of 75,145. 27,645 were seated and 47,500 were standing.
The first expansion of the stadium took place in 1955 as it was modified to fit 125,000 spectators at a time. During the same year, the board decided to adopt its present name in honour of President Bernabeu.
In the 1970s and 1980s, various features like floodlights, digital screens, seats for a majority of the stadium and installing roofs on various sides took place. Following the Taylor Report following stadium disasters in Europe (Heysel and Hillsborough), the stadium was given another facelift by downsizing the standing crowds, installing retractable roofs and taking care of the pipe using modern piping systems.
Florentino Perez invested €127 million in five years between 2001 and 2006 to expand the stadium. His works earned the stadium an Elite Stadium tag from UEFA. He still had a huge dream of renovating the stadium and it did take place in 2019.
Iconic Football Events at Santiago Bernabeu
Santiago Bernabeu was the host of 4 European Cup finals. The first final in 1957 saw hosts Real Madrid lift their favourite competition at home after beating Fiorentina 2-0 with goals from Alfredo Di Stefano and Francisco Gento. It marked a second consecutive title for them.
The stadium also hosted the finals in 1969 where Milan triumphed. Nottingham Forest lifted the Champions League title in 1980 after beating Hamburg with a single goal. In 2010, Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan completed their treble after beating Bayern Munich 2-0.
Santiago Bernabeu hosted the Copa Libertadores final for the first time in 2018. The premier South American club competition’s final faced security threats in South America and needed a neutral venue. River Plate lifted the trophy after beating arch-rivals Boca Juniors at the ground.
Santiago Bernabeu was also the host of the 1963 UEFA Euros. It hosted 3 matches in total including the semis and the finals. Spain emerged victorious after beating the Soviet Union 2-1 in the finals.
However, the hosts couldn’t replicate the same feats in 1982 when the stadium hosted the World Cup finals. Italy lifted the trophy after getting the better of West Germany in the finals graced by 90,000 fans.
Santiago Bernabeu – 2024
Renovated Santiago Bernabeu
Florentino Perez’s name needs no special introduction. The legendary president is running the club with an iron fist. It was under his rule that the club scaled new heights globally. He does everything with the club’s best interests in mind. He wanted to transform Santiago Bernabeu into a global icon of sports architecture and also make it a direct source of revenue for the club.
Plans were made as early as 2012 but they didn’t materialize. Finally, in 2017, the Madrid City Council approved the renovation and set up a “Special Plan for the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium”.
Securing finances posed a major challenge to this project. The club secured a loan of 575 million euros for 30 years at 2.5% interest. The Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine posed incredible challenges to the project’s finances. The costs increased throughout the construction period and the project cost €1.17 billion by the time it was completed.
GMP Arquitectos and L35 Ribas won the tender to oversee the renovation of the stadium. The team studied various stadiums around the world to create a first-of-its-kind venue that would be a self-sustaining structure.
The construction work began in 2019 as Real Madrid played their home games at Alfredo di Stefano. The stadium was set to be opened by 2021 but it was hit with multiple delays. The team started playing games with the works still in progress. A major milestone game was the Madrid derby against Getafe in 2023 when they played under the retractable roof for the first time.
The stadium’s renovation works were completed in 2024 and the club started the 2024/25 season at home with complete satisfaction.
Features of Santiago Bernabeu
The renovated Santiago Bernabeu is an icon in the sports world. The stadium was renovated while keeping its history and origins in mind. It was rebuilt not only with football in mind but also with other sports like basketball, tennis and e-sports.
One of the main features of this project was the construction of a main façade. The previous stadium had 57 doors but none of them was a main entrance. This time around, it was taken care of. The eastern Avenida Castellanata side of the stadium was leveled to build a striking new façade that acts as a public entrance. In the forecourt on the western side, a new plaza was constructed in front of Plaza de los Sagrados Corazones.
They created underground parking underneath these modern entrances. The access ramps of the teams were also camouflaged by creating a green wall in the center of the plaza. That area also serves as a public place and can be used by fans as a meeting point.
Another striking feature was the choice of steel façade to be the face of the stadium. The asymmetrical steel and striped strips wrap around the stadium. They have the provision to be illuminated by LED lights and provide excellent viewing during the night times.
The stadium also has a retractable roof that can be opened and closed just within 15 minutes. Inside the stadium, it was all about providing luxury and comfort to everyone in the club. Firstly, a world-class turf was laid on the platform on rails. When the stadium wants to host other events, the pitch can be moved 35m underground with air-conditioning and artificial lighting.
There is a huge projector and electric scoreboards throughout the stadium that make viewing for fans from anywhere across the stadium. There has been a complete overhaul of the seating system and sightlines to the field were improved.
The stadium is now home to incredible VIP and Terrace lounges and offers some of the best views and experiences one could get at a football match.
Accessibility got a facelift as inclusion was the theme. Elevators, ramps and dedicated spaces for individuals with disabilities were provided. The stadium was constructed in a sustainable way as recycled products were used. It also has smart water and lighting systems.
The existing features of the stadium got an incredible upgrade. The clubs’ museum was redeveloped and a new interactive museum was built with an eye on the future and with cutting-edge technology. An exclusive wing was developed for restaurants. A new arena was built for e-sports and e-commerce meetings. The stadium also has basketball and tennis courts where major tournaments could take place.
A flagship Real Madrid and Adidas store was also built. The stadium tour experience will give them an all-in experience of this marvel.
The stadium is now a space that is accessible all days of the week. It also developed a lot of the nearby communities and will become a self-sustaining structure economically very soon.
Santiago Bernabeu Capacity and Field Size
Santiago Bernabeu used to host record crowds in the mid-20th century. Since there were no regulations, standing crowds were allowed without limits. The clash between Real Madrid and AC Milan drew a record crowd of 129,690.
After the Taylor Report, crowds were curtailed. The renovated stadium now has a maximum capacity of 78,297.
The surface is laid with Mixto hybrid grass and follows the usual pitch norms laid down by La Liga. It is 105 meters long and 68 meters wide.
Key Football Events at Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid
The stadium debuted in 2021 when Real Madrid took on Celta Vigo with a limited crowd. A lot of test events took place and in the Madrid derby against Getafe in 2023, a lot of other features were tested. With the construction all complete now, the team is enjoying its football at their luxurious home.
It will host all the La Liga home games of the club including the Champions League games and the Copa del Rey games.
UEFA Champions League and International Tournaments
Santiago Bernabeu had a glorious history of hosting the Champions League finals, Euros Finals and the World Cup finals. However, the stadium is yet to host a major final of a tournament after its renovation is completed.
Tickets and Pricing
How to buy Santiago Bernabeu Tickets
The tickets for Real Madrid’s home games at Santiago Bernabeu can be bought on their official site.
Overview of Santiago Bernabeu Ticket Prices
| Competition | Category | Season Ticket Price for adults (in €) |
| La Liga | ||
| 1 | 3000 | |
| 2 | 2250 | |
| 3 | 1800 | |
| 4 | 1450 | |
| Champions League | ||
| 1 | 1800 | |
| 2 | 1500 | |
| 3 | 13000 | |
| 4 | 1000 | |
| 4 | 30 | |
| Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour | Standing Tickets | 150 |
| Seated Tickets | 212 | |
| Infinity Tickets | 300 | |
| Pre Show fan package | 505 |
Visiting Santiago Bernabeu
How to reach Santiago Bernabeu
The stadium can be reached by its metro station along Line 10 in Madrid’s metro. It stops directly at the stadium. The stadium can also be reached by bus routes 14,27,40,43,120,147 and 150 by Madrid’s bus system.
Guided Tours: Exploring Santiago Bernabeu’s Football Legacy
Fans would be thrilled by the mere prospect of getting a guided tour through Santiago Bernabeu. The stadium offers tickets in various categories on its official website. The classic tours cost €35 and €40 depending on the time selected. The Premium tour costs €47. These tours give the user exclusive entry to the Real Madrid Club Museum and an inside view of the stadium.
Various school and group tour offers are also available.
Nearby Attractions for Football Fans
Santiago Bernabeu is located in a prime location. It is surrounded by tourist hotspots like Puerta de Europa Towers, Kio Towers, Cuzco Square and the National Auditorium of Music.
For those who want a relaxing experience, the area has a lot of luxury dining and wine restaurants to pick from.
Santiago Bernabeu Events Beyond Football
Concerts and Multi-Sport Events
Santiago Bernabeu was always a key destination for multiple events. It hosted cultural events, concerts, and a lot of other sports. Here are a few of them:
- Pope John Paul II addressed a crowd of 160,000 at the stadium during his pastoral visit to Spain in 1982
- Julio Iglesias performed for a 100,000 crowd in 1983.
- American singer Frank Sinatra did his only Spanish concert at the stadium in 1986
- Irick rock band U2 performed their first Spanish concert tour here.
- American rock musician Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band performed at the stadium on three separate tours.
- Rolling Stones performed in 2014 on their 14 On Fire tour.
- Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in May 2024 was the first major concert after the stadium was renovated.
- Colombian singer Karol G and Mexican Luis Miguel performed in July 2024.
- The stadium hosted its first American football game on 16 November 1958 between two amateur teams.
- The first National Football League will take place in 2025 between the Miami Dolphins and another team as part of the NFL International Series.
Transition Between Football and Other Events
Santiago Bernabeu after its renovation can host multiple events seamlessly. For context, it can host a Real Madrid game, a Basketball match of Real Madrid, a tennis tour game and an e-sports qualifier all on the same day. This was made possible due to the excellent spacing provided and the seamless entry and exits of logistics and crowd.
The Legacy of Santiago Bernabeu
Santiago Bernabeu’s Role in Football Culture
Real Madrid is an iconic team and it is only fitting that their stadium is also an iconic one. Santiago Bernabeu was teeming with superstars and galacticos. They graced every blade of grass and every nook and corner of the stadium with their essence. The trophy room simply doesn’t have any more room given the team’s exploits. It is the dream of every youngster in the world to don the famous white jersey one day and pose at the Bernabeu.
If the old stadium was culturally iconic, the newly renovated one is an architectural and technological icon. It has the future written all over it and will be looking to live up to its predecessor’s name. The stadium will be eager to host more finals attract stars from all around the world and capture their aura.
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Where is Santiago Bernabeu?
Santiago Bernabeu is in Chamartin, Madrid, Spain.
Who plays at Santiago Bernabeu?
Real Madrid CF and Spain National Team play at Santiago Bernabeu.
How many people does Santiago Bernabeu hold?
Santiago Bernabeu holds a seating crowd of 78,297.
Is Wembley Stadium covered?
Santiago Bernabeu has a retractable roof which can cover the entire pitch.
Why is Santiago Bernabeu so famous?
Santiago Bernabeu is the historic home stadium of Real Madrid. The club have dominated football and made the ground a holy playground enhancing its legacy.
Which city is Santiago Bernabeu in?
Santiago Bernabeu is in Madrid.