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 are going to discuss about, 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, 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 have any idea about how the stadium got its name? or when it was established?
If you don’t then we will be going to tell you about the history of this elite stadium.
1.1 History of the Famous Stadium in Madrid
Santiago Bernabeu as well as Rafael Salgado got the permit credit from Banco Mercantile Industrial Bank in 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 is the home ground of Los Blancos (The White).
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is known as Santiago Bernabeu in short.
It is named after the name of former Real Madrid player as well as president of the club Santiago Bernabeu de Yeste.
He served as the president of Los Blancos (The Whites) for 35 years from 1943 to 1978 until his last breath.
Santiago Bernabeu is also known as El Bernabeu or Nuevo Chamartín. However, earlier the stadium was known 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 that hosted both UEFA Euro as well as FIFA World Cup finals.
In 1964, it hosted the UEFA Euro or European Nations Cup, and later in 1982 the biggest game of the world, the FIFA World Cup final.
The initial capacity of Santiago Bernabue was 75,145 out of that only 27,645 have seat to sit while 47,500 was for standing spectators.
As the days pass Bernabeu continues to restructure itself and finally, they were able to reach the capacity of 81,044.
1.2. Restoration of Santiago Bernabeu
A huge amount of project for restoration was set at the beginning of 2017. Although, it took two years to start, finally in 2019 first-hand work for restoration started.
As per the reports suggests, by this restoration process 6000 more seats will be added to the stadium which will increase 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 for restoration of the stadium. Initially, it was expected that the work will be completed in 2022.
However, because of Covid 19 pandemic and the war between Russia and Ukraine disrupt the supply chain and now it is expected that the work may complete this year.
The traditional Roman technique will be used to complete the restoration process so that during the bad weather season football matches will not get affected.
Tristan Lopez Chicheri believed that many visitors from outside will come to the stadium as many new attractions are also 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 where you can watch and enjoy the match, as well as an experience from a new position.
However, the most attractive thing about the stadium will be the 360-degree screen along with a retractable roof.
1.3. Location and Transportation
Santiago Bernabéu stadium is a beautiful ground in the heart of Madrid. The home of Real Madrid is situated 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 own metro station along line 10. Metro Station is known as Santiago Bernabeu.
However, you can go by bus as well and the routes of the bus are 14, 27, 40, 43, 120, 147 as well as 150.
1.4. The Big Club Matches and International Matches Played
Santiago Bernabeu is the dream stadium of millions of players and most people in the world. 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 major games were played since its establishment.
The first ever big game that took place 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 final was won by the home team with a score line of 2-0 and wore the crown of European Champions 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 Champions of the continent 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 the game 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 onwards.
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 as well.
It’s Atletico Madrid or Colchoneros. The other half of Madrid was founded in 1903 on 26th April. The previous name of the club 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 the home stadium of Atletico was called Estadio de la Comunidad de Madrid. The history of the stadium is not so memorable as it went through many ups and downs.
Estadio Metropolitano was first opened on 6th September 1994. While it was even closed once in 2004 as well.
After a lot of ups and downs, the stadium was finally rebuilt and reopened on 16th September 2017.
In 2017 when the final renovation process was complete it cost 240 million euros. Another elite stadium in Madrid.
2.1. Significant Events
Being one of the best stadiums in the world it hosted some big games since the 90s. The first big fixture hosted by them was in the 1996 Supercopa de Espana on August 28th.
Home team Atletico Madrid participated in that game against Barcelona. Where they beat Barcelona with a score line of 3-1. Although sadly, they lose 6-5 on aggregate.
Later, on 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. On that night in the Spanish capital, they won their 6th Champions League glory.
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 fixture.
The match was played between Spain and Argentina where La Roja (The Red One) beat them 6-1.
Although, in the next month the club hosted another major tournament final. On 21st April the final of Copal del Ray was played here.
Sad to say, 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 as well as 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 1st June 2022, 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 7’s is located at a distance of 15 minutes away from the stadium.
Despite the world’s two most popular stadiums in the nation, there are some other small stadiums as well.
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 the capital city of Madrid, there are not only two popular stadiums but the home ground of another well-known La Liga club is also located here.
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 did born in the city.
The beautiful stadium of Coliseum Alfonso Perez was built in 1998. During that time the capacity was only 10,579, although later it was increased to 17,393.
Since, its establishment only once a big game was held at the stadium 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 center.
Seating capacity of Campo De Futbol is 14,505. It is a 47-year-old stadium built on 6th June 1976.
Although, the unknown fact about the stadium is formerly it was the temporary home ground of Atletico Madrid.
During the early 1940s when their home ground was destroyed due to Civil War in Spain.
Besides, hosting football games the stadium hosted significant programs and other small events as well.
While the basement of the football stadium is the home of the Madrid Chess Federation. However, still, now no such notable fixture has been played here.
5. Municipal De Butarque
CD Leganes used Municipal De Butarque as their home ground, and compete 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, later, 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, here also no significant fixture takes place yet.
6. Estadio Municipal De Santo Domingo
A very small 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. It was established in 1999. 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 opening day of the stadium on 19th May 1999.
Conclusion
Uncountable stadiums are present in the capital of Spain. Although, the most popular ones are Santiago Bernabeu and Estadio Metropolitano.
The stadiums not only host football games, they also host concerts and other popular sports.
During the game of the home team, the stadium changes its colour and creates a deadly atmosphere for their opponents.
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