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Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is the kind of arena that dismisses presentation. It is home to Europe’s biggest football team, with a collection of titles and championships that can’t be compared to any other stadium in the region.
Even though many people think of it simply as “the Real Madrid stadium,” it is far beyond that. This bold piece of architecture attracts millions of fans every year from all over the world and is a vital martyr for Spain and the entire football world.
If you want to learn everything about Europe’s most famous arena of all time and what makes it so unique, you have come to the right place. Here’s a list of the main details and curiosities regarding Santiago Bernabeu and its contribution to football history as one of the most important constructions.
Make sure to take a look at each aspect below, and you’ll become an expert in the matter. Here’s everything you need to know:
Table of Contents
Location and Construction Aspects
As expected for Real Madrid’s home stadium, the arena is located in Madrid, Spain, more specifically in the district of Chamartín. It hosted numerous European Cup finals throughout its years of existence, being also one of the oldest buildings of its kind in the country.
Due to its complexity and magnitude, the arena’s construction began in 1944 and was only finished three years later, in 1947. From a retractable roof to an enormous capacity, the construction has everything an arena needs to become a reference venue for games, matches of all kinds, and special events like concerts.Real Madrid’s stadium, which cost approximately 1,7 million euros to build, is also one of the most expensive constructions not only in Spain but in Europe. Even though this might look like a huge cost, the numbers can’t represent Europeans’ love for the sport, making it one of the most important tourist attractions of Paseo de la Castellana and the territory.
Beyond Real Madrid F.C. – Curiosities About Santiago Bernabeu You Probably Didn’t Know
Now it’s time to see some details and curiosities about this piece of architecture that only true football fans know. Make sure to look at each one, and you’ll become an expert in the matter.
We will cover aspects like famous events the stadium hosted and the other curiosities that make this such an iconic stadium in everyone’s life, whether you’re from Europe or anywhere else.
Here are the main curiosities and facts about Santiago Bernabéu:
It Wasn’t Always Santiago Bernabéu
Many people don’t know, but this wasn’t the arena’s original name. When the architects Rafael Luis Alemany and Manuel Salinas finished building the stadium, its original name was Nuevo Estadio Chamartín, directly referring to the region where it was built.
This first name lasted almost a decade, going from 1947 to its first year, to 1955. Even though the stadium began with a different name and overall structure, one thing never changed: It has always been Real Madrid’s home, whether for the European Nations Cup or any other competition. Many people didn’t like when the name changed and kept calling it Estadio Chamarim for a very long time, even after it officially changed to Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, which is how it’s referred to today.
The name is a direct reference to one of the most influential figures in the history of Real Madrid. It refers to a player who took the team to the next level and consecrated as champions numerous times. After writing history as the player to crave RM as the greatest club of all time, he also directed the team as their president for 34 years, creating almost half a century of history in the UEFA-awarded team.
The Second Largest Stadium in Spain
As a stadium that attracts people from all over the world to see games and events, it is natural that its capacity would be one of the largest on the continent. It is actually Spain’s second largest stadium, with over 80,000 seats to comfortably accommodate the spectators. Santiago Bernabeu might look big, but there’s one even bigger in the country. As you might expect, it is Camp Nou, from Barcelona. The structure can accommodate up to 105,000 people inside the seats and towers of the arena.
There are no architectural barriers in both cases, making them the perfect venue for all kinds of events, with seats and stands capable of fitting people from all over the world. You could say that, for many years, Europe’s leading football rivalry has been between Real Madrid and Barcelona, and this also applies to their arenas, which are always the two main options mentioned when it comes to quality and unforgettable experiences.
Even though Santiago Bernabeu Stadium’s capacity might be a little smaller, it indeed takes advantage of other aspects, such as the architectural aspect.
The Arena Played Host to the First European Cup
One key element that makes this arena so historically significant is the matches and venues it has already hosted. It was the main venue for the first European Cup ever. Freshly established, this competition would become one of the most important in the entire continent, being the equivalent of the Champions League we all love today.
The first edition of the tournament took place between 1955 and 1956, with seven teams composing the official roster. The final match ended up crowning Real Madrid as the first team to win the competition in a very challenging game between the team and Reims, resulting in a score of 4-3 for Spain’s favorite team.
The teams participating in the inauguration of this tournament were chosen by the French magazine L’Equipe. The competition drove the general public crazy and began the tradition of making Europe’s biggest football competition every year.
The competitions are not the only impressive thing that already crossed this paradise for football fans. It also hosted matches from the main national and international teams over the world, including River Plate, Boca Juniors, and even teams from the Soviet Union.
It Passed Through Numerous Expansions and Renovations
Even though the work done by Rafael Luis and other architects like Luis Alemany Soler is great, it didn’t prevent the arena from undergoing numerous renovations and modifications throughout its almost 70-year existence. In its first decade, Santiago Bernabéu already expanded using the land adjacent to it.
The process was done to accommodate a total of 125,000 visitors standing and sitting on the chairs. This made it the biggest stadium to participate in the first European Cup and one of the key elements for the whopping crowd in the finals.
It wasn’t a new stadium or anything like that. It was just an extension of the already famous arena, creating more space without interfering with the architecture. But that’s not the only thing to be changed in the arena.
However, this change didn’t last long, as the stadium owners ordered the removal of approximately 30 thousand seats to adapt to the changes requested by FIFA for the 1982 World Cup. The arena’s total capacity constantly changed over the decades, reaching the 80 thousand seats as we know it today.
Over the decades, it has undergone five major renovations, including extensions, the creation of the club’s offices, a new roof, new boxes for the players, and many others. The owners are constantly researching new technologies and ways to make Santiago Bernabéu Stadium the best arena on the entire continent.
Underground Car Park
A lot of action also happens in the arena’s underground. The entire building has a complex engineering system that uses the stadium’s underground section to easily move the main field and perform many other tasks.
One of the primary uses of these underground spaces is to park cars from fans and visitors attending the arena, whether for a game or any kind of event. A lot of people don’t know about this aspect, even fans living near the stadium.
This also makes it one of the arenas with the most parking space, providing a better experience for those going there. If you ever go on the Tour Bernabéu, you’ll see some of these underground spaces and technologies, with a professional guide explaining every aspect. It’s one of the best ways to get to know the entirety of Santiago Berabéu and the curiosities most people don’t know.
The space below is so big that you can get lost while navigating through the corridors and rooms. If you plan on exploring it on your own, this is something to remember.
Guided Tour
Speaking of the Tour Bernabéu, it is one of the best activities if you’re a football fan and want to have the most complete experience visiting the arena. The tour takes the visitor through almost every room in the stadium, showing curiosities and fun facts you won’t find anywhere else.
Prepare to walk through every corner of the arena, from the west side to the east side. Moreover, you’ll also be able to closely examine the trophies conquered by Real Madrid, whether from the Intercontinental Cup, Champions League, or any other competition. It’s an activity that will please every fan of the team.
There are three tiers of tour tickets, each one with specific perks and characteristics. Here’s what each one of them means:
- Classic: This is the cheapest ticket and includes a visit to the club museum, the stadium, and some of the main rooms inside Santiago Bernabéu. It costs 35 euros if purchased online or 38 euros at the ticket office.
- Flexible Time: This is a new tier of ticket, and it costs 40 euros if bought through the official website. The main difference between this one and the classic option is that the flexible time allows you to do the tour at any time of the selected day. If you’re visiting the country and don’t know how much time each activity will take throughout your day, this is the best option and ensures you don’t have any problems with your schedule.
- Premium: This is the highest tier of tickets, costing 47 euros per person. This tier also grants you access to exclusive perks, like an exclusive guided service that takes you through all parts of the stadium. It’s the definitive tour tier and will give you an unforgettable experience. You also don’t need to worry about your Spanish since the tour is also available in English.
Other Sports and Events
The stadium might be a reference in the football world, but it has already hosted many other kinds of events, even those related to other sports. Santiago Bernabéu hosted an American football match in 1958 between soldiers from two US Air Force bases in Europe. It was a friendly match between teams called Tigers and Tacooners. Speaking of American football, the arena was selected as one of the 2025 NFL International Series venues, showing how versatile it can be.
But this is not everything that has already passed through Santiago Bernabéu’s ground (or grass). The stadium is also one of the preferred venues in the area for concerts and music-related events.
Numerous famous singers have already stepped into the stadium to sing, including Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and renowned bands like The Rolling Stones. If a big artist is making a tour around Europe, it is likely that they’ll make a presentation in the arena.
I had a great experience in the stadium enjoying concerts. The sound quality was amazing, and the entire structure made everything even better, creating a comfortable atmosphere even though the place was crowded.
One of the Main Stages of the 1982 FIFA World Cup
We already mentioned that the arena was the stage for some of the most iconic events in the football world. One of them is the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
Santiago Bernabéu received four games throughout the competition, hosting matches of Spain, England, Italy, and Germany. One of these matches was the finals, in which Italy defeated West Germany (3-1), earning the world champion title.
From the west to east stand, you could hear the crowd cheering and screaming every goal scored throughout the competition, which was the perfect example of Europe’s love for this sport. It is also essential to consider that, even though the stadium didn’t have all the technology it has nowadays, it was already a top-tier venue at the time.
The Stadium Has Its Own Metro Line
Madrid can be quite crowded, making travel across the city challenging at times. However, the city boasts an extensive metro system designed to enhance the visitor experience, particularly when heading to key destinations like the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Conveniently, the metro station named after the stadium drops visitors and fans right next to it, offering one of the best transportation options in the city. With metro tickets typically costing just 4 euros, this system provides an affordable and efficient way to explore Madrid’s main tourist attractions.
The station is served by Line 10, which is also one of the fastest ways to ride around the city, especially during rush hours. If you’re visiting the region and want an affordable way to move between places, we highly recommend this option.
All my experiences with the Spanish metro system were smooth. It is simple and easy to understand which line you need to take to get where you want to go.
Great Restaurant Inside
Having a meal inside Santiago Bernabéu is truly a magical experience. The main restaurant inside the arena is Puerta 57, and it has a direct view of the field and some of the fanciest dishes in Spain.
Even though the price is not the cheapest, it is the kind of experience worth enjoying at least once. From classic dishes from Spanish cuisine to original creations from the chefs, the menu has endless options that will make you want to eat there every day.
Along with the incredible view and the great food, you can expect one of the best experiences ever, with a great staff that’ll do everything to provide you with the best time possible. It’s the best way to finish your tour in the arena and will surely give you unforgettable memories. If you’re lucky enough, you might see one of the players from Real Madrid walking through the stadium or having a meal at the restaurant, making the moment even more magical.
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Time to Plan Your Next Visit to Santiago Bernabéu
Santiago Bernabeu is a martyr in Spain and an icon to the football world, representing the home of Europe’s biggest club and the venue of some of the world’s most important competitions. The project mixes outstanding architecture and top-notch technology to provide the best experience for visitors watching the events and the players or artists performing in the arena.
It has over 50 years of history as an important part of every Spanish citizen’s life. It is also one of the top tourist attractions of the country and a representation of their love for the sport. If you plan on visiting the country or are deciding on your next vacation destination, this stadium will give you unforgettable memories.
Whether you make the guided tour or have a king’s meal in the stadium’s restaurant, there are many possibilities waiting for you in this piece of Spain’s history. The best part is that you don’t have to worry about transportation since you can use the metro system and go to the arena in no time. It is undeniably an essential part of football history that keeps attracting tourists from all over the world to enjoy its beauty.
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