Spain, a Southwestern European nation, is well known for soccer, and when we are talking about football in Spain, we cannot ignore the most famous stadium in Madrid.
Hopefully, you understand what we will discuss; yes, you are correct; it is Santiago Bernabeu. Therefore, it is the home of the famous football club Real Madrid.
Santiago Bernabeu is a beautiful stadium for fans and supporters to cheer for their record 14 times UEFA Champions League Champion winner team.
The climate and nature of the stadium during the match of their home club are just beautiful.
Fans love to watch the game from the stands, and whenever you come to Bernabue, you will never find any empty seats out of 81,044.
Which is the Most Famous Stadium in Madrid?
1. Santiago Bernabeu
We all know the name Santiago Bernabeu, but do you know how the stadium got its name? or when it was established?
1.1 History of the Famous Stadium in Madrid
Santiago Bernabeu and Rafael Salgado got the permit credit from Banco Mercantile Industrial Bank 1944 on 22nd June to buy the land.
During that time, the land was located alongside the old Chamartín Stadium.
The historical stadium of Madrid was established on 14th December 1947. Since then, it has been the home base of Los Blancos (The White).
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is known as Santiago Bernabeu in short.
It is named after the name of a former Real Madrid player and the president of the club, Santiago Bernabeu de Yeste.
He served as Los Blancos (The Whites) president for 35 years, from 1943 to 1978, until his last breath.
Santiago Bernabeu is also known as El Bernabeu or Nuevo Chamartín. However, the stadium was known earlier as Estadio Real Madrid Club de Futbol.
This elite stadium of Madrid hosted uncountable big games. The first big game it hosted was in 1957.
The home ground of Real Madrid is the only stadium in the world that hosted two important premier continental cup finals.
Firstly, the UEFA Champions League and secondly, the Copa Libertadores.
It is also the first stadium in Europe to host UEFA Euro and FIFA World Cup finals.
In 1964, it hosted the UEFA Euro or European Nations Cup; later, in 1982, the biggest game in the world was the FIFA World Cup final.
The initial capacity of Santiago Bernabue was 75,145; out of that, only 27,645 had a seat to sit, while 47,500 were standing spectators.
As the days passed, Bernabeu continued to restructure itself, and finally, it reached a capacity of 81,044.
1.2. Restoration of Santiago Bernabeu
A massive restoration project was set at the beginning of 2017. Although it took two years to start, in 2019, first-hand work for repair finally started.
The reports suggest that by this restoration process, 6000 more seats will be added to the stadium, increasing its capacity to 87,168.
Therefore, the height will also be increased up to ten meters. A retractable roof and retractable pitch will also be added.
Naming rights may also be sold by the club to restore the stadium. Initially, it was expected that the work would be completed in 2022.
However, the supply chain was disrupted due to unforeseen reasons, and now it is expected that the work may be completed this year.
The traditional Roman technique will be used to complete the restoration process so that football matches will not be affected during the bad weather season.
Tristan Lopez Chicheri believed that many visitors from outside would come to the stadium as many new attractions are planned to be created.
More restaurants, a new shopping centre as well as a hotel is also planned to be created. The hotel also has some rooms from which you can watch and enjoy the match and an experience from a new position.
However, the most attractive thing about the stadium will be the 360-degree screen and a retractable roof.
1.3. Location and Transportation
Santiago Bernabéu stadium is a beautiful ground in the heart of Madrid. Real Madrid’s home is in the Chamartín district of the capital city.
Along with the streets of Concha Espina, Padre Damian, and Rafael Salgado, the stadium is inhibited in the block bound by Paseo de la Castellana.
You can go to the stadium by their metro station along line 10. Metro Station is known as Santiago Bernabeu.
However, you can go by bus as well, and the bus routes are 14, 27, 40, 43, 120, 147 and 150.
1.4. The Big Club Matches and International Matches Played
Santiago Bernabeu is the dream stadium of millions of players and most people worldwide. The atmosphere, the scenario, everything is just beautiful.
Mostly, during the game of their home team, you will always find Bernabeu in a new look.
Being one of the best stadiums in the world, many significant games have been played since its establishment.
The first big game in the stadium was the European Cup Final on 30th May 1957. Real Madrid is the home team who battled for glory against Italian club Fiorentina.
The home team won the final with a score of 2-0 and wore the crown of European Champion for the second.
After 12 years since then, another European Cup Final was played in Santiago Bernabeu. Although, in that match, the home team did not participate.
The fixture was played between Milan and Ajax. Milan thrashed Ajax by 4-1 and announced themselves as the continent’s Champions for the second time.
Later, in 1980 and 2010, another European Cup Final or UEFA Champions League Final was played in the stadium. The initial game was played between Nottingham Forest and Hamburger SV, where the English side won by a score line of 1-0.
Therefore, that night in Madrid was special for them as they won the title for the second time.
2. Estadio Metropolitano
In the city of white shirts, there is someone else who is a rival of 14 times Champions League winner. The red and white shirts are also one of the best in the world.
It’s Atletico Madrid or Colchoneros. The other half of Madrid was founded in 1903 on 26th April. The club’s previous name was Athletic Club Sucursal de Madrid.
The home ground of Atletico Madrid has a capacity of 68,456. This half of Madrid is also a home of football legends.
They compete with their arch-rival Real Madrid in La Liga, and the fixture is widely known as a Madrid derby.
Previously, Atletico’s home stadium was Estadio de la Comunidad de Madrid. The stadium’s history is not so memorable as it went through many ups and downs.
Estadio Metropolitano was first opened on 6 September 1994. It was even closed once in 2004 as well.
After many ups and downs, the stadium was rebuilt and reopened on 16th September 2017.
In 2017, when the final renovation was complete, it cost 240 million euros.
2.1. Significant Events
Being one of the best stadiums in the world, it hosted some big games since the 90s. They hosted The first prominent fixture in the 1996 Supercopa de Espana on August 28th.
The home team, Atletico Madrid, participated in that game against Barcelona, beating Barcelona with a score of 3-1. Although, sadly, they lost 6-5 on aggregate.
Later, the 2019 UEFA Champions League final was hosted by Estadio Metropolitano. The final fixture was played between two English greats, Tottenham Hotspurs and Liverpool.
Liverpool won a comfortable win in the all-English Champions League Final as they beat their rival 2-0. They won their 6th Champions League glory that night in the Spanish capital.
Despite all this, the stadium is a nightmare for Argentines.
In 2018, on March 27th, they hosted their first-ever international fixture in the form of a friendly institution.
The match was played between Spain and Argentina where La Roja (The Red One) beat them 6-1.
However, in the next month, the club hosted another major tournament final. On 21st April, the final of Copal del Ray was played here.
Sadly, the home team was not there as the match was played between Spanish giants Barcelona and Sevilla.
This game was a mixture of sadness and happiness for Barca fans.
They won the game with a score line of 5-0, and their captain, Andres Iniesta, also played his last-ever final in the club’s jersey.
Besides football, some programs and other sports are also organized and hosted by the stadium. Recently, on 1 June 2022, the Rolling Stones had a concert in the stadium.
Another big thing that will be hosted by Estadio Metropolitano from 2024 to 2026 is the World Rugby Seven Series.
2.2. Location of Estadio Metropoliatno
The home ground of Atletico Madrid is situated at Avenida de Luis Aragones 4, 28022 Madrid. You can go by bus or Madrid subway.
Subway is the best option, as Subway Lines 7s is located 15 minutes away from the stadium.
Despite the world’s two most famous stadiums in the nation, there are also some other minor stadiums.
In Madrid, you will find stadiums that are home grounds of some La Liga and second-tier clubs in Spain.
3. Coliseum Alfonso Perez
In Madrid’s capital city, there are two famous stadiums and the home ground of another well-known La Liga club.
Coliseum Alfonso is the home ground of Getafe FC. The capacity of this stadium is 17,393. It is situated on the southern side of Madrid.
Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium is named after Spanish international player Alfonso Perez. However, the Spanish forward never played for Getafe but was born in the city.
The beautiful stadium of Coliseum Alfonso Perez was built in 1998. The capacity was only 10,579 during that time, but later it increased to 17,393.
Since its establishment, a big game was held at the stadium only once, which was the 2010 Women’s UEFA Champions League Final.
4. Campo De Futbol De Vallecas
Campo De Futbol De Vallecas is the home ground of Spanish top-tier club Rayo Vallecano. The stadium is situated a bit far from the city centre.
Seating capacity of Campo De Futbol is 14,505. It is a 47-year-old stadium built on 6th June 1976.
However, the unknown fact about the stadium is that it was the temporary home ground of Atletico Madrid.
During the early 1940s, their home ground was destroyed due to the Civil War in Spain.
Besides hosting football games, the stadium hosted significant programs and other small events.
While the basement of the football stadium is the home of the Madrid Chess Federation, no such notable fixture has been played here.
5. Municipal De Butarque
CD Leganes used Municipal De Butarque as their home ground and competed in the second tier of the Spanish football league.
The stadium was built in the same year, 1998, with Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Previously, the capacity of the stadium was only 8,138.
However, in 2016, when the home team was promoted to La Liga, the capacity was increased.
The current capacity of the stadium is 12,454. Like the Campo De Futbol De Vallecas, no significant fixture has occurred here.
6. Estadio Municipal De Santo Domingo
It is a tiny stadium in Madrid, which is the home ground of Alcorcon. Alcorcon compete in the Laila 2 division.
Estadio Municipal De Santo Domingo has a seating capacity of just 5,100. Established in 1999, it is located at Alcorcon, Community in Madrid.
The stadium is 12 miles away from the capital city of Spain. Real Madrid played a friendly match with the home team to celebrate the stadium’s opening day on 19th May 1999.
Uncountable stadiums are present in the capital of Spain. Although the most popular ones are Santiago Bernabeu and Estadio Metropolitano.
The stadiums host football games, concerts, and other popular sports.
During the home team game, the stadium changes its colour and creates a deadly atmosphere for its opponents.
Last Updated on December 3, 2023 by Apeksha Soni
