View source for Bernabéu (stadium)

{{Short description|Stadium in Madrid, Spain}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Bernabéu
| fullname = Bernabéu
| former_names = *Estadio Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (1947–1955)<ref>[http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1955/01/05/048.html Acuerdos de la Junta del Real Madrid] (Real Madrid's Board Agreements), www.abc.es, 5 January 1955 (in Spanish). Retrieved on 11 February 2020</ref>

*Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (1955–2025)
| nickname = ''El Bernabéu''<br>''Nuevo Chamartín''
| image = <div style="text-align:center;">
  [[File:Estadio Santiago Bernabéu Madrid.jpg|300px|frameless]]<br />
  [[File:M-estadio-santiago-bernabeu-diciembre-2024-c.jpg|300px|frameless]]
</div>

Interior view (top), Exterior view (bottom)
| caption = '''[[UEFA Elite stadium|UEFA]]''' {{rating|4|4}}
| location = [[Madrid]], Spain
| publictransit = {{rint|madrid|metro}} {{rint|madrid|10}} at [[Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid Metro)|Santiago Bernabéu]]
| built = October 1944 – December 1947
| opened = {{start date and age|1947|12|14|df=yes}}
| renovated = 1982, 2001, 2019–2024
| expanded = 1952, 1992, 1994, 2011
| reopened = {{start date and age|2023|12|23|df=yes}}
| surface = Mixto [[hybrid grass]]
| roof = [[Retractable roof|Retractable]]
| cost = 288,342,653 [[Spanish peseta|Ptas]] ({{€|1,732,943}}){{fact|date=March 2025 }}{{when|date=March 2025}}<br/>'''Renovations''':<br/>1982: $4.7 million<ref name=upgrade/><br/>2000: €127 million<ref name=upgrade>{{cite web| url=https://tfcstadiums.com/the-history-of-estadio-santiago-bernabeu/| website=tfcstadiums.com| title=The History of Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |date=19 December 2020 |access-date=18 March 2025}}</ref><br/>2024: €1.76 billion<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5367568/2024/03/25/bernabeu-real-madrid-renovation-cost/| website=[[The New York Times]]| title= Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium renovation costs stand at €1.76bn|date=25 March 2024}}</ref>
| architect = Manuel Muñoz Monasterio<br>Luis Alemany Soler<br>[[Antonio Lamela]] (expansion)
| capacity = 83,186
 {{Collapsible list|title=List|100,000 (1947–1952)<br>125,000 (1952–1978)<br>90,000 (1978–1994)<br>110,000 (1994–1999)<br>81,044 (1999–2020)<br>83,186 (since 2024)}}
| record_attendance = 129,690 ([[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] v. [[A.C. Milan|AC Milan]], 19 April 1956)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/27/football/gallery/gallery-santiago-bernabeu-stadium/index.html|title=The Bernabeu: Back to the future|website=CNN|date=27 October 2014 }}</ref>
| dimensions = {{convert|105|x|68|m|abbr=on}}
| Suites = 245<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.realmadrid.com/estadio-santiago-bernabeu |title=Estadio |publisher=Real Madrid |access-date=5 May 2018 }}</ref>
| tenants = [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] (1947–2020, 2021–present)<br>[[Spain national football team|Spain]] (selected matches)
| website = {{URL|https://bernabeu.realmadrid.com/en-US|Bernabéu}}
| mapframe-zoom = 14
| mapframe-marker = stadium
}}

'''Bernabéu''' ({{langx|es|El Bernabéu}}, {{IPA|es|βeɾnaˈβew||ES-pe - Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.ogg}}) is a [[retractable roof]] [[association football|football]] stadium in [[Madrid]], Spain.  With a seating capacity of 83,186<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=LaLiga bate record histórico de asistencia a los estadios con más de 15 millones de espectadores |url=https://www.laliga.com/noticias/laliga-bate-record-historico-de-asistencia-a-los-estadios-con-mas-de-15-millones-de-espectadores |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=Página web oficial de LALIGA {{!}} LALIGA |language=es}}</ref> following its extensive renovation completed in late 2024, the stadium has the second-largest seating capacity for a football stadium in Spain. It has been the home stadium of [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] since its completion in 1947. It is the second-largest stadium in Spain behind [[Camp Nou]] in Barcelona.

Named after footballer and Real Madrid’s legendary [[List of Real Madrid CF presidents|president]] [[Santiago Bernabéu (footballer)|Santiago Bernabéu]] (1895–1978), the stadium is one of the world's most famous football venues. It has hosted the final of the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup/UEFA Champions League]] on four occasions: in [[1957 European Cup Final|1957]], [[1969 European Cup Final|1969]], [[1980 European Cup Final|1980]] and [[2010 UEFA Champions League Final|2010]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind=64/newsid=676743.html |title=Madrid and Hamburg awarded 2010 finals |publisher=UEFA |date=28 March 2008 |access-date=28 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331135339/http://www.uefa.com/uefa/keytopics/kind%3D64/newsid%3D676743.html |archive-date=31 March 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The stadium also hosted the second leg of the [[2018 Copa Libertadores Finals]], making Santiago Bernabéu the only stadium to host finals of both competitions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historia del Santiago Bernabéu, estadio del Real Madrid {{!}} LALIGA |url=https://www.laliga.com/noticias/historia-santiago-bernabeu-estadio-real-madrid |access-date=2025-07-28 |website=Página web oficial de LALIGA {{!}} LALIGA |language=es}}</ref>

The final matches for the [[1964 European Nations' Cup]] and the [[1982 FIFA World Cup]] were also held at the Bernabéu, making it the first stadium in Europe to host both a [[UEFA European Championship|UEFA Euro]] [[1964 European Nations' Cup final|final]] and a [[FIFA World Cup]] [[1982 FIFA World Cup final|final]].

The stadium, formerly known as the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, has now been officially renamed to simply "Bernabéu".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-12 |title=Officially: Real Madrid rebrand Santiago Bernabeu |url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/officially-real-madrid-rebrand-santiago-bernabeu-41942812 |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=OneFootball |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Forjanes |first=Carlos |date=2025-11-12 |title=El Madrid ‘renombra’ el Bernabéu |url=https://as.com/futbol/el-madrid-renombra-el-bernabeu-f202511-n/ |access-date=2025-11-12 |website=Diario AS |language=es}}</ref>

==History==
{{Multiple image
|position = right
|width = 300
|direction = vertical
|title = Bernabéu Stadium
|image1 = Estadio_Santiago_Bernabéu_39.jpg
|caption1 = Current view of the west facade from [[Paseo de la Castellana]] | align1 = right
|image2 = Estadio Santiago Bernabéu 12.jpg
|caption2 = View of the west facade and south end in 2011 | align2 = right
|image3 = Estadium de Chamartín. Vista desde el aparcamiento de coches. Madrid (12117609333).jpg
|caption3 = View of the west facade in 1951 | align3 = right
}}

=== Origins and construction ===
In the early 1940s, the old [[Estadio Chamartín|Campo de Chamartín]] had become too small for the growing population of Madrid and the increasing popularity of football. Despite successive renovations that had expanded its capacity to 25,000 seats, the stadium was still insufficient for the club's needs. Faced with this situation, in the spring of 1943, President [[Antonio Santos Peralba]] expressed the need to build a new stadium with an initial capacity of 40,000 spectators,<ref name="AScien">{{Cite book |last= de Salazar |first= Bernardo |title= Cien años del Real Madrid |edition= First |year= 2001 |publisher= Diario AS S.L. |isbn= 84-923010-2-3 |pages=44–49|language=es}}</ref> although the club's financial difficulties raised uncertainties about its realization.

With the arrival of [[Santiago Bernabéu (footballer)|Santiago Bernabéu]] to the presidency in September 1943, the plan for the new stadium gained decisive and much more ambitious momentum. In his first meeting with the Board of Directors, Bernabéu declared: "''Gentlemen, we need a bigger field and we are going to build it''".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lavozdigital.es/cadiz/20071214/deportes/mas-futbol/santiago-bernabeu-cumple-anos-20071214.html |title=El Santiago Bernabéu cumple hoy 60 años cargados de historia |author=lavozdigital.es |date=14 December 2007|language=es}}</ref> Bernabéu's vision was to build an even larger stadium than the one proposed by Peralba, with a capacity close to 75,000 spectators. Bernabéu firmly believed that a larger stadium would allow the club to raise more money, which in turn would enable the club to grow, sign better players, and attract more fans, creating a virtuous cycle that would benefit the team in the long run.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ondacero.es/programas/por-fin-no-es-lunes/podcast/inauguracion-estadio-santiago-bernabeu_201912145df4d6df0cf22f4755c66860.html |title=La inauguración del Santiago Bernabéu: "Un estadio propio del siglo XXI, adelantado a la época en que se construyó" |author=ondacero.es |date=14 December 2019|language=es}}</ref> On 1 November 1943, the Board of Directors visited the land adjacent to the Campo de Chamartín, located in the extension of the [[Paseo de la Castellana]], to analyze its possible expansion. These lands belonged to the "Villa Ulpiana" estate and another known as "Entrecanales", owned by the Maqueda and Chávarri families. Shortly thereafter, negotiations began to acquire them for a total cost of 3,000,000 pesetas.<ref name="AScien" />

On 22 June 1944, the land acquisitions were formalized before a notary: 256,667 square feet for 2,000,000 pesetas from the Ruiz del Villar family and 93,877 square feet for 1,001,069 pesetas from the Maqueda and Chávarri families. Additionally, the necessary expropriations for the urbanization of the area, including the future streets Concha Espina and Plaza de los Sagrados Corazones, cost 1,000,000 pesetas.<ref name="AScien"/>

To choose the design for the new stadium, a Competition of Ideas and Sketches was organized, in which renowned architects participated. The architects [[Pedro Muguruza]] and Javier Barroso, former goalkeepers of [[Club Atlético de Madrid|Athletic de Madrid]] and friends of Bernabéu, were part of the jury along with board members Fernando de Cárcer Disdier, first vice president, and Pedro Méndez Cuesta, board member responsible for the field and an architect by profession.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.coam.org/es/fundacion/biblioteca/revista-arquitectura-100-anios/arquitectura-etapa-1941-1946/revista-nacional-arquitectura-n34-Octubre-1944 |title=Revista Nacional de Arquitectura Nº 34 |author=Revista Nacional de Arquitectura |date=October 1944|language=es}}</ref> In September 1944, after evaluating the seven submitted projects, the jury awarded the first prize to the design of Manuel Muñoz Monasterio and Luis Alemany Soler. The award-winning works were exhibited at the [[Círculo de Bellas Artes]], where they sparked great interest and debate among fans.

On 27 October 1944, the land was blessed, and construction was symbolically initiated with a groundbreaking strike by Santiago Bernabéu.<ref name="RV">{{Cite book |last= Guerra de la Vega |first= Ramón |title= Madrid (1920-1980) Guía de Arquitectura Contemporánea |edition= First |year= 1981 |publisher= Propia del autor |location= Madrid |isbn= 84-300-5362-X |pages=57|language=es}}</ref>

The financing of the construction presented significant challenges due to the distrust of members and banking entities. Despite the skepticism of many people, including some members and supporters, regarding the project's feasibility, Bernabéu remained steadfast in his purpose. In a context where banks did not consider football a safe investment and where official support from sports organizations was not obtainable, Bernabéu delegated to treasurer Luis Corrales Ferras<ref name="AScien"/> the task of designing an innovative financing plan. This plan involved the issuance of bonds with mortgage guarantees on the club's properties.

The next step was crucial:<ref name="AScien" /> Bernabéu presented this plan to Rafael Salgado, president of Banco Mercantil e Industrial and a Real Madrid supporter. Thanks to Bernabéu's passionate and detailed explanation, Salgado agreed to finance the project, convinced of the viability and potential of the new stadium. This decision was crucial for the project's realization, and in recognition of his support, one of the streets adjacent to the stadium bears his name.

The financing plan was structured into three staggered bond issues:<ref name="AScien" />

* '''First issue''' of 20,000 bonds for a total of 10,000,000 pesetas on 9 November 1944.
* '''Second issue''' of 30,000 bonds for 15,000,000 pesetas on 18 March 1946.
* '''Third issue''' of 10,000 bonds totaling 5,000,000 pesetas on 8 October 1947.

All the issues were covered on the day they were released to the Stock Market, thanks to the enthusiasm and confidence of the members, even the most modest ones. The plan was a complete success and allowed for staggered financing adjusted to the construction needs.

The construction was awarded to the company Huarte y Compañía, S.A.,<ref name="AScien" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nuevoestadiobernabeu.com/noticias/un-paseo-por-la-historia-asi-se-construyo-el-actual-estadio-del-real-madrid/ |title=70 años de historia: así se construyó el actual estadio del Real Madrid|author=nuevoestadiobernabeu.com |date=14 December 2017|language=es}}</ref> beginning in June 1945 under the direction of architects Alemany and Muñoz Monasterio and with the collaboration of civil engineer Carlos Fernández Casado.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carlos Fernández Casado|url=http://www1.caminos.upm.es/hormigon/?portfolio_page=fernandez-casado|work=Hormigón Estructural|language=es|access-date=13 August 2019}}</ref> Over 30 months, the works faced numerous obstacles, from the shortage of basic materials in post-war Spain to technical difficulties due to a nearby railway link popularly known as the "tunnel of laughter". However, the project progressed with enthusiasm and dedication.

The construction of the new field took place on the grounds of the old field and on the lands of Villa Ulpiana,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.es/espana/madrid/abci-santiago-bernabeu-estadio-monumental-nacio-descampado-201610120003_noticia.html |title=El Santiago Bernabéu, un estadio monumental que nació en un descampado |author=abc.es |date=12 October 2016|language=es}}</ref> which could have disrupted the club's life. However, this only happened from 1946 when Real Madrid was forced to play home games at the [[Estadio Metropolitano de Madrid|Stadium Metropolitano]] during the [[1946–47 La Liga|1946–47 season]] and in five matches of the [[1947–48 La Liga|1947–48 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.es/madrid/20141120/abci-real-atletico-madrid-estadio-201411191623.html|author=abc.es|title=La temporada que el Atlético acogió al Real Madrid en su estadio|date=20 November 2014|access-date=19 July 2019|language=es}}</ref> Despite these inconveniences, Real Madrid maintained its sports activities while the new stadium took shape over part of the old site and on the adjacent lands.

This is how Fernando de Cárcer Disdier, the club's first vice president, summarized the development of the construction in 1947:<ref name="AScien"/>

{{blockquote|''We encountered numerous difficulties in transporting materials. Keep in mind that we used 18,000 m<sup>2</sup> of gravel, 24,000 m<sup>2</sup> of sand, 2,000,000 bricks, 900 m<sup>2</sup> of wood, and moved about 150,000 m<sup>3</sup> of earth. For this, we had to load 82,000 trucks of 4 tons each… On average, 150 workers worked per day, so we had to pay about 315,000 workdays. For the services and sanitation network, we installed 4.5 kilometers of stoneware, iron, and lead pipes, with 90 porcelain sinks, 125 toilets, 365 urinals, and 46 showers. There is enough space to install offices, restaurants, warehouses, and other services, but for now, we have limited ourselves to the essentials for football: 4 dressing rooms for players with their corresponding showers, a swimming pool, a massage room, and a first aid kit. An infirmary with 6 beds, a treatment room, and an emergency operating room. A dressing room for the referee with all its services. A wardrobe room with a clothing repair workshop and iron. A shoemaker, laundry, and a large gymnasium. A telephone exchange and a radio amplification center… Additionally, a room for detainees has been built, thus avoiding the need for law enforcement to be distracted by escorting them. Regarding the costs, around 16,000,000 pesetas were budgeted, but this has increased due to perfectly justified reasons, such as the nature of the terrain, the rise in material prices over these 30 months, more than 25% in some cases, and the new labor regulations in the construction industry that required safety measures not contemplated in the project. Currently (in 1947), if we were to start the construction of the stadium, its cost would rise to 45,000,000 pesetas. The amortization is planned to be completed in 20 years with our own resources, and without having started using the new field, we have already begun to amortize. This is a great success for Real Madrid and the people of Madrid''.|[[Fernando de Cárcer Disdier]] .}}

The total cost of the works, in round numbers, was broken down into the following items:<ref name="AScien"/>

# '''Land'''. Acquisitions, capital gains, real rights, stamps, writing expenses, cancellation of commitments, and lifting of the mortgage on the old Chamartín: 4,500,000 pesetas.
# '''Loans'''. Costs of the same: 2,000,000 pesetas.
# '''Works'''. Material execution of the stadium: 28,000,000 pesetas. Execution of the office: 1,500,000 pesetas.
# '''Fees'''. Architects, quantity surveyors, and awards from the Ideas and Sketches Competition: 1,300,000 pesetas.
# '''Compensation for Expropriations''' of land carried out by the City Council: 1,000,000 pesetas.
'''Total disbursed''': 38,300,000 pesetas (230,183 euros).

=== Opening ===
The stadium was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 with a match between Real Madrid and the [[Portugal|Portuguese]] side [[C.F. Os Belenenses|Os Belenenses]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120907115337/http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1193040487651/1330073124892/noticia/Noticia/Real_Madrid_to_play_1,500th_official_clash_at_the_Santiago_Bernabeu.htm?w=2 "Real Madrid to play 1,500th official clash at the Santiago Bernabéu"]. Real Madrid.com. Retrieved 22 November 2011</ref> After the preliminaries, at 15:30 referee [[:es:Pedro Escartín|Pedro Escartín]] from the Madrid school started the match. Real Madrid striker [[Sabino Barinaga]] scored the first goal in the 15th minute with a header. At the end of the match, Barinaga received a recognition pennant. Afterward, players and managers of both teams celebrated with a dinner. The first official match took place on 28 December 1947 on matchday 12 of La Liga against [[Athletic Bilbao|Athletic Club]], which had been postponed due to the inauguration of the stadium. The match was refereed by José Fombona Fernández from the Asturian school and ended with a 5–1 victory for ''Los Blancos''. The first goal was scored in the 4th minute by Madrid midfielder [[Chus Alonso]] after receiving a pass from Barinaga.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chus Alonso: el primer artillero oficial del Bernabéu|url=https://www.lagalerna.com/chus-alonso-primer-artillero-oficial-del-bernabeu/|website=lagalerna.com|date=10 August 2017 |language=es}}</ref>

The stadium's official name at the time was {{lang|es|Estadio Real Madrid Club de Fútbol}}, although it continued to be known among fans as {{lang|es|Nuevo Estadio Chamartín}} ({{langx|en|New Chamartín Stadium}}) or simply {{lang|es|Chamartín}}. The stadium had an initial capacity of 75,145 spectators, 27,645 of which had seats (7,125 covered) and 47,500 for standing fans.

===1950s===
[[File:Estadio Bernabeu. Madrid (12117582503).jpg|thumb|300px|The stadium in 1955]]
The first major renovation occurred in 1955. On 19 June of that year, the stadium expanded to accommodate 125,000 spectators. Thus, the Madrid coliseum became the biggest stadium of all the participants of the newly established [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]].

On 4 January 1955, after the General Assembly of Members Compromisaros, it was decided that the stadium adopt its present name in honour of club President Santiago Bernabéu.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IEbQDAAAQBAJ&q=estadio+chamartin&pg=PA51|title=The Real Madrid Way: How Values Created the Most Successful Sports Team on the Planet|last=Mandis|first=Steven G.|date=11 October 2016|publisher=BenBella Books, Inc.|isbn=978-1-942952-55-8|pages=51|language=en}}</ref>

In March 1957, [[floodlight]]s were installed to allow nighttime games. On 18 May of the same year, the new floodlights were officially inaugurated in a game against Brazilian club [[Sport Club do Recife|Sport Recife]], which Real Madrid won 5–3.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-05-12|title=UN PASEO POR LA HISTORIA: LA ILUMINACIÓN DEL BERNABÉU|trans-title=A walk through history: The Lighting of the Bernabeu|url=https://www.nuevoestadiobernabeu.com/otros/un-paseo-por-la-historia-la-iluminacion-del-bernabeu/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=Nuevo Estadio Bernabneu|language=es}}</ref>

===1960s and 1970s===
In 1965, the transfer of all the club's offices to the stadium was completed, which previously had been moved between multiple venues in the capital.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Santiago Bernabéu|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=4500014783049&pagename=RealMadridResponsive%2FPage%2FRM_Instalaciones|website=realmadrid.com|language=es}}</ref>

On 14 December 1972, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Santiago Bernabéu's inauguration, the first electronic scoreboard was installed inside the stadium and later utilized for the first time in a friendly match against the same rival that Madrid faced in 1947, the Portuguese Belenenses. The match ended with a 2–1 Real victory. Days before the scoreboard had already been used for the farewell ceremony of the Madrid legend [[Paco Gento]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=ABC MADRID 15-12-1972 página 85|url=https://www.abc.es/archivo/periodicos/abc-madrid-19721215-85.html|website=abc.es|date=13 August 2019 |language=es}}</ref>

===1980s===
The next big changes did not occur until the early 1980s with the hosting of the [[1982 FIFA World Cup]] in Spain. The stadium had to adapt to the changing times and with this, architects Rafael Luis Alemany and Manuel Salinas were hired for the stadium's renovation project. The brothers were sons of Luis Alemany Soler, who carried out the original construction project next to Muñoz Monasterio. The work lasted 16 months and had a cost of 704&nbsp;million [[Spanish peseta|pesetas]] (US $4.7&nbsp;million), of which 530&nbsp;million was paid by the City of Madrid.

The improvements included a number of points. First, [[FIFA]] forced two-thirds of the seating area to be covered. For this reason, Real Madrid installed a roof covering the perimeter of the first and second tiers of seating, except the east side. The stadium's capacity was reduced from 120,000 to 90,000 spectators, starting downsizing in 1978. 24,550 of which were covered by the new roof. The project also involved remodeling the façade, the installation of new electronic signs in the north and south ends, as well as the renovation of the press areas, lockers rooms, access, and ancillary areas.

The stadium hosted four matches in the World Cup: three second-round Group Two matches ([[West Germany national football team|West Germany]] vs. [[England national football team|England]], West Germany vs. [[Spain men's national football team|Spain]], and Spain vs. England) and the prestigious [[1982 FIFA World Cup Final|final match]] (Italy vs. West Germany). The final between Italy and Germany was played in front of a sold out stadium of 90,000 people.

===1990s===
Following a series of spectator fatalities in the 1980s (most notably the [[Heysel Stadium disaster|Heysel Stadium in Belgium]] and the [[Hillsborough disaster|Hillsborough Stadium in England]]), English authorities released the [[Taylor Report]] on how to improve football spectator safety in English venues. [[UEFA]] followed suit across Europe. The stadium was forced to create separate shortcuts to different stadium sections and seats for all spectators.

In 1992, the board of [[Ramón Mendoza]] awarded an expansion and renovation project to Gines Navarro Construcciones, S.A. The work started on 7 February 1992 and concluded on 7 May 1994 with a final cost of more than 5&nbsp;billion pesetas, substantially raising the debt of the club, which no longer had any institutional support. The work concluded with the creation of an amphitheater on the west side and in the foundations, as well as the opening of the new commercial center, "La esquina del Bernabéu". In total, 20,200 upgraded seats were installed, with each seat having a tilt of 87 degrees, ensuring a perfect view and proximity to the pitch. In addition, four entrance towers were erected on the outside, each with two staircases and a central spiral ramp, so the spectators could access the new tier and exit more quickly.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2019-04-02|title=Fotos: La evolución del estadio Santiago Bernabéu, en imágenes|language=es|work=El País|url=https://elpais.com/elpais/2019/04/02/album/1554202783_047377.html|access-date=2021-11-14|issn=1134-6582}}</ref>

With the new structure, the height of the stadium was increased from 22&nbsp;m to 45&nbsp;m. This caused problems during the winter, leaving two-thirds of the field of play in the shade. This lack of sunlight led to grass deterioration on the pitch. For this reason, a polypropylene pipe network was installed at a 20&nbsp;cm depth under the pitch. At over 30&nbsp;km long the pipe system circulates hot water, keeping the turf from freezing in cold temperatures.<ref name=":0" />

Also, due to the height of the stand, it was necessary to improve and increase the lighting capability. A [[Retractable roof|retractable protective roof]] was also installed to protect the fans from the elements. After the renovation, the stadium's capacity was 106,000 spectators.<ref name=":0" />

In 1997, with [[Lorenzo Sanz]] as president, UEFA required the Santiago Bernabéu to adopt an all-seating arrangement, bringing its capacity down from 106,000 to 74,328 spectators.<ref name=":0" />

On 20 May 1999, the Tour Bernabéu opened, along with the club museum.<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 May 2019|title=El Tour Bernabéu cumple 20 años|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/noticias/2019/05/el-tour-bernabeu-cumple-20-anos|access-date=2021-11-14|website=Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial|language=es}}</ref>

===2000s===
[[File:Bernabeu en un Madrid-Atleti.JPG|thumb|300px|View of the stadium during the [[Madrid derby]] in the [[2006–07 La Liga]]]]
[[File:2010 Champions League Final opening ceremony.jpg|thumb|300px|[[2010 UEFA Champions League final]] opening ceremony]]

As the club kept growing in all regards, thoughts for further changes to the stadium appeared.<ref>[http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/fourfourtwos-100-best-football-stadiums-world-no8#:WQfSK2H5Z6YKdA FourFourTwo's 100 Best Football Stadiums in the World. No.8: Santiago Bernabéu]. FourFourTwo.com. 13 November 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2016</ref> When [[Florentino Pérez]] became the president of the club, he launched a "''Master Plan''" with one goal: to improve the comfort of the Santiago Bernabéu and the quality of its facilities, and maximise revenue for the stadium.

Pérez invested [[Euro|€]]127&nbsp;million in five years (2001–2006) by adding an expansion to the east side of the stadium, as well as adding a new façade on Father Damien street, new boxes and VIP areas, new dressing rooms, a new stage in honour of the east side, a new press area (also located on the east side), a new audio system, new bars, integration of heating in the stands, panoramic lifts, new restaurants, escalators in the tower access, and implementation of the multipurpose building in Father Damien street. Following the enlargement of the lateral east side and the creation of new galleries, the capacity of the Santiago Bernabéu was expanded to 80,354, all seated.

After these renovations, on 14 November 2007, one month before the 60th anniversary of the stadium's opening, UEFA awarded the Santiago Bernabéu the category of [[UEFA stadium categories|Elite Stadium]] and designated it as the venue for the [[2010 UEFA Champions League final]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=El Santiago Bernabéu ya es un "estadio de élite"|url=http://archivo.marca.com/edicion/marca/futbol/1a_division/real_madrid/es/desarrollo/1057742.html|website=marca.com|date=14 November 2007|language=es}}</ref>

===2010s===
In the summer of 2011, expansion work was carried out in the first amphitheater, adding an additional row to the overhang of the grandstand, which increased the capacity by 900 seats, reaching a total capacity of 81,044 spectators.<ref>{{Cite web|title=El Bernabéu estrena 900 localidades más|url=https://as.com/futbol/2011/08/21/mas_futbol/1313908050_850215.html|website=as.com|date=21 August 2011|language=es}}</ref> In December 2018, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium was selected as the venue for the second leg of the Copa Libertadores de América final, becoming the first stadium in the world to host the final of four of the five most important tournaments in the world: the [[FIFA World Cup]], the [[UEFA European Championship]], the [[Copa América]], the [[Copa Libertadores de América]], and the [[UEFA Champions League]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=La FIFA explica por qué el River-Boca se ha llevado a Madrid|url=https://argentina.as.com/argentina/2018/12/01/futbol/1543658991_250632.html|website=as.com|date=1 December 2018|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=El Bernabéu, primer estadio del mundo en albergar 'cuatro grandes'|url=https://www.rtve.es/deportes/20181130/bernabeu-primer-estadio-del-mundo-albergar-cuatro-grandes/1846241.shtml|website=rtve.es|date=30 November 2018|language=es}}</ref>

==== Renovation 2019–2024 ====

After investing a total of 256 million euros since 2000,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Un gran desafío para seguir siendo líderes|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/es-ES/santiago-bernabeu/nuevo-estadio/seguir-siendo-lideres|website=realmadrid.com|language=es}}</ref> the Board of Directors, led by [[Florentino Pérez]], decided to take advantage of the stadium's prime location to launch an ambitious renovation project with a dual objective: to transform the Santiago Bernabéu into a global icon of sport architecture and to make it one of the club's main sources of direct revenue, allowing it to continue competing economically with clubs owned by large private capital in the future.

This proposal was announced at the Ordinary General Assembly on 12 September 2010,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Florentino Pérez: "Crearemos un sistema de cubrición de gradas"|url=http://www.marca.com/2010/09/12/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1284290041.html|website=marca.com|date=10 September 2010|language=es}}</ref> and approved by the delegate members at the Extraordinary Assembly on 25 September 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Los socios del Real Madrid aprueban la remodelación del Santiago Bernabéu|url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/09/25/madrid/1316954700.html|website=elmundo.es|date=25 September 2011|language=es}}</ref> To implement it, the [[Madrid City Council]] and the [[Government of the Community of Madrid]] approved a specific amendment to the General Urban Development Plan in 2012, allowing the club to increase the buildability of the stadium and modify its facade. The proposed plan included a new architectural envelope, roof covering for all seats, and the incorporation of bioclimatic systems with renewable energy, as well as the construction of two new public plazas, a hotel, and a large shopping centre on the side facing Paseo de la Castellana.

To carry out this proposal, an International Architecture Competition was held in 2012<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cuatro proyectos para un nuevo Bernabéu|url=https://www.marca.com/2012/09/30/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1349000815.html|website=marca.com|date=30 September 2012|language=es}}</ref> in which four teams of world-renowned prestige participated: one formed by the studios of [[Herzog & de Meuron]] and [[Rafael Moneo]]; another composed of [[Foster and Partners]] and [[Rafael de La-Hoz Castanys|Rafael de la Hoz]]; a third consisting of the teams of [[Populous (architects)|Populous]] and [[Estudio Lamela]]; and a fourth formed by [[Gerkan, Marg und Partner|GMP Architekten]], L35, and Ribas & Ribas, whose proposal was announced as the winning project on 31 January 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Florentino: "Queremos que el Bernabéu sea el mejor estadio del mundo"|url=https://www.marca.com/2014/01/31/futbol/equipos/real_madrid/1391171602.html|website=marca.com|date=31 January 2014|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=El Real Madrid presenta su proyecto para remodelar el Estadio Santiago Bernabéu|url=http://www.rtve.es/deportes/20140131/proyecto-gmp-architekten-35-ribas-elegido-para-remodelar-bernabeu/867366.shtml|website=rtve.es|date=31 January 2014|language=es}}</ref>

However, the project was halted in February 2015,<ref>{{Cite web|title=El TSJM suspende la reforma del Bernabéu|url=https://www.elmundo.es/madrid/2015/02/10/54da85a822601d092d8b456b.html|website=elmundo.es|date=10 February 2015|language=es}}</ref> when the Superior Court of Justice of Madrid annulled the approval of the specific amendment to the General Urban Development Plan of Madrid, considering it contrary to the general interest and urban planning regulations. The court argued that the plan entailed a substantial alteration of land use and an unjustified free grant of urban development rights to Real Madrid. Faced with this situation, the club decided to modify the winning project to comply with current laws and reduce its urban impact. Thus, in 2016,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carmena da luz verde a la cubierta del Santiago Bernabéu|url=https://as.com/futbol/2016/10/11/primera/1476174286_542644.html|website=as.com|date=12 October 2016|language=es}}</ref> it presented a new project that eliminated the hotel and shopping center, raised the height of the stadium by only {{convert|12|meters}} for the construction of the roof, reaching a total height of {{convert|60|meters}}, and eliminated the possibility of increasing the capacity.<ref name=":2" />

Finally, on 31 May 2017, the Madrid City Council approved the renovation by approving the "Special Plan for the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Aprobado de forma definitiva el plan para reformar el Bernabéu|url=https://www.rtve.es/deportes/20170531/aprobado-forma-definitiva-plan-para-reformar-bernabeu/1556961.shtml|website=rtve.es|date=31 May 2017|language=es}}</ref> After approving the replotting project, the sustainable mobility plan, and the urbanization project, the club awarded the renovation works to the construction company [[FCC Group|FCC Construcciones]], which finally began in June 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arranca el Nuevo Bernabéu: primeros trabajos de la reforma|url=https://as.com/futbol/2019/06/24/primera/1561401814_531539.html|website=as.com|date=24 June 2019|language=es}}</ref>

[[File:Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (53988637843).jpg|350px|thumb|The retractable roof and inside of the stadium in 2024.]]

For the financing of the works,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Informe Económico Real Madrid 2022-2023|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/es-ES/el-club/transparencia/cuentas-anuales|website=realmadrid.com|date=October 2023|language=es}}</ref> the Real Madrid Board of Directors approved a loan of 575 million euros on 12 April 2019, for 30 years with a fixed interest rate of 2.5%, including a 3-year grace period, resulting in an annual payment of 29.5 million euros starting from 30 July 2023. Additionally, on 7 December 2021, the financing was extended with an additional loan of 225 million euros for 27 years with a fixed interest rate of 1.53% and a grace period until 30 July 2024, with an annual payment of 10.5 million euros starting from that date. Finally, on 11 November 2023, a third loan<ref>{{Cite web|title=El Real Madrid pide un tercer crédito de 370 millones para el Bernabéu y eleva la financiación de las obras a 1.170|url=https://elpais.com/deportes/futbol/2023-11-11/el-real-madrid-pide-un-tercer-credito-de-370-millones-para-el-bernabeu-y-eleva-la-financiacion-de-las-obras-a-1170.html|website=elpais.com|date=11 November 2023|language=es}}</ref> of 370 million euros for 30 years was requested to cover cost overruns due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid|COVID-19 pandemic]] and the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. Thus, the total financing amounts to 1.170 billion euros at an average interest rate of 3%, with an annual payment of 60 million euros over 30 years, which is less than half of the new expected annual profits after the completion of the works.<ref>{{Cite web|title=370 millones más para el Santiago Bernabéu|url=https://www.relevo.com/futbol/real-madrid-consigue-millones-bernabeu-20231111131526-nt.html|website=relevo.com|date=11 November 2023|language=es}}</ref>

==Location==
[[File:Estadio Santiago Bernabéu 38.jpg|thumb|350px|Construction of the East side facade (4 April 2023).]]
The stadium is located in the [[Chamartín (Madrid)|Chamartín]] district of Madrid. It occupies the block bounded by the [[Paseo de la Castellana]] and the streets of Concha Espina, Padre Damián, and Rafael Salgado.

===Transportation===
The stadium is served by its [[Madrid Metro|own metro]] station along the [[Line 10 (Madrid Metro)|Line 10]] called ''[[Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid Metro)|Santiago Bernabéu]]''. It is also served by bus routes 14, 27, 40, 43, 120, 147 and 150.

==Major club matches==
=== UEFA Champions League finals ===
{|class="wikitable" 
|-
!Date
!Winner
!Score
!Runner up
!Attendance
|-
| [[1957 European Cup final|30 May 1957]] ||  {{fbaicon|ESP}} [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 || {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]] ||style="text-align:center"|124,000
|-
| [[1969 European Cup final|28 May 1969]] || {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[AC Milan|Milan]] ||style="text-align:center"| 4–1 || {{fbaicon|NED}} [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] ||style="text-align:center"|31,782
|-
| [[1980 European Cup final|28 May 1980]] || {{fbaicon|ENG}} [[Nottingham Forest]] ||style="text-align:center"| 1–0 || {{fbaicon|GER}} [[Hamburger SV]] ||style="text-align:center"|51,000
|-
| [[2010 UEFA Champions League final|22 May 2010]] || {{fbaicon|ITA}} [[Inter Milan]] ||style="text-align:center"| 2–0 || {{fbaicon|GER}} [[Bayern Munich]] ||style="text-align:center"|73,490
|}

'''1957 European Cup final'''
{{Main|1957 European Cup final}}
This match on 30 May 1957 was contested between Real Madrid, champions of Spain, and [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]], champions of Italy, at the former's home stadium. In this season, 16 teams played for the trophy. Real Madrid won 2–0 in the final after goals from [[Alfredo Di Stéfano]] and [[Francisco Gento]] in the second half.<ref>{{cite web |title=Madrid champions again at the Bernabéu |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/seasons/1956/ |website=UEFA}}</ref> This was the second consecutive European Cup for Real Madrid after having won their first trophy [[1956 European Cup final|one year before]], at the [[Parc des Princes]] against [[Stade de Reims]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1955/56: Madrid claim first crown |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0258-0e6a0359223b-d180c4119f8e-1000--1955-56-madrid-claim-first-crown/ |website=UEFA |date=13 June 1956 |access-date=8 April 2020 }}</ref>

'''1969 European Cup final'''
{{Main|1969 European Cup final}}

On 28 May 1969, [[A.C. Milan|Milan]], champions of Italy, played [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]], champions of the Netherlands, to determine the champions of Europe. Milan defeated Ajax 4–1 to win their second European championship. Ajax made history by being the first Dutch team to reach a final.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Dream_Cup/Primo_Piano/2007/07_Luglio/Milan_69.shtml |title=Il mondo ai piedi del Milan di Rocco |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |access-date=21 May 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://storiedicalcio.altervista.org/blog/coppa_campioni_68_69.html |title=Coppa Campioni 1968/69: MILAN |date=14 January 2016 |publisher=Storie di Calcio |language=it |access-date=21 May 2020 }}</ref>

'''1980 European Cup final'''
{{Main|1980 European Cup final}}

On 28 May 1980, defending champions [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] of England faced [[Hamburger SV]], champions of Germany. The match ended with a victory for the English team with a 1–0 result. The new champions of Europe retained the trophy and achieved a historic second consecutive European Cup.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2020/may/28/nottingham-forest-retained-european-cup-40-years-ago |title=When Nottingham Forest retained the European Cup 40 years ago |work=The Guardian |date=28 May 2020 |access-date=29 May 2020 |first=Steven |last=Pye }}</ref>

'''2010 UEFA Champions League final'''
{{Main|2010 UEFA Champions League final}}

On 22 May 2010, German champions [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]], who eliminated [[Olympique Lyonnais|Lyon]] in the semi-finals, faced Italian champions [[Inter Milan|Internazionale]], who defeated [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in the semi-finals. Inter won 2–0 after two goals from [[Diego Milito]], completing the [[Treble (association football)|treble]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/maestro-mourinho-scores-perfect-inter-farewell-in-champions-league-final-20100523-w3bc.html |title=Maestro Mourinho scores perfect Inter farewell in Champions League final |last=Hassett |first=Sebastian |date=23 May 2010 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524173133/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/maestro-mourinho-scores-perfect-inter-farewell-in-champions-league-final-20100523-w3bc.html |archive-date=24 May 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

'''2018 Copa Libertadores final'''
{{Main|2018 Copa Libertadores finals}}

The two-legged 2018 [[CONMEBOL]] [[Copa Libertadores]] final pitted [[Superclásico|Argentine archrivals]] of [[Buenos Aires]] in [[Boca Juniors]] and [[Club Atlético River Plate|River Plate]] against each other in the final for the first time. The first leg was held at Boca Juniors' home pitch, [[La Bombonera]], on 11 November 2018, ending in a 2–2 draw with no [[away goal rule]] applied.<ref name="Reglamento">{{cite web |title=Reglamento CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 |url=http://www.conmebol.com/sites/default/files/reglamento-conmebol-libertadores-2018-espanol.pdf |website=conmebol |access-date=4 December 2018}}</ref>

During the planned second leg on 24 November 2018 at [[Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti|El Monumental]], the home stadium of River Plate, numerous River Plate fans threw glass bottles, bricks, dirts, stones, sands at the Boca Juniors team bus headed to the stadium, injuring numerous players as a result. CONMEBOL postponed the match and moved the second leg to Europe for 9 December 2018 in Madrid, a neutral site, for security and travel reasons.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.conmebol.com/es/final-de-la-conmebol-libertadores-2018-se-jugara-el-domingo-9-de-diciembre-en-el-santiago-bernabeu |title=Final de la CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 se jugará el domingo 9 de diciembre en el Santiago Bernabéu de Madrid |trans-title=Final of the 2018 CONMEBOL Libertadores will be played on Sunday, 9 December at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid |website=CONMEBOL |date=29 November 2018 |access-date=29 November 2018 |language=es}}</ref> Both sets of fans attended the match as River Plate won 3–1 after extra time (5–3 on aggregate) to lift the trophy outside of South America for the first time.<ref name="Reglamento"/>

==Major international matches==
===Euro 1964===
{{main|1964 European Nations' Cup}}

The stadium hosted three matches during qualifying and the main tournament of [[1964 European Nations' Cup]]. One qualifying match was played at the stadium as well as Spain's 2–1 semi-final victory against Hungary and the [[1964 European Nations' Cup final|final]] in which Spain defeated the defending champions USSR 2–1.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=530733&cc=4716 |title=European Nations Cup 1964 |work=ESPNSoccernet.com |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=1 May 2008 |first=John |last=Brewin |access-date=28 January 2013 |archive-date=7 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607022613/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature?id=530733&cc=4716 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+1964 European Nations' Cup matches played at Santiago Bernabéu
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Team #1
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Team #2
!scope=col|Round
!scope=col|Attendance
!scope=col|Ref.
|-
|scope=row|1 November 1962
|align=right|{{fb-rt|ESP|1945}}
|align=center|6–0
|{{fb|ROU|1952}}
|[[1964 European Nations' Cup qualifying preliminary round#Spain v Romania|Preliminary round first leg]]
|51,608
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=History: Spain-Romania |url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/3948--spain-vs-romania/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |publisher=UEFA}}</ref>
|-
|scope=row|17 June 1964
|align=right|{{fb-rt|ESP|1945}}
|align=center|2–1
|{{fb|HUN}}
|[[1964 European Nations' Cup final tournament#Spain vs Hungary|Semi-final]]
|34,713
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=History: Spain-Hungary |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/3993--spain-vs-hungary/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |publisher=UEFA}}</ref>
|-
|scope=row|21 June 1964
|align=right|{{fb-rt|ESP|1945}}
|align=center|2–1
|{{fb|URS}}
|[[1964 European Nations' Cup final|Final]]
|79,115
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=History: Spain-USSR |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/match/3996--spain-vs-ussr/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |publisher=UEFA}}</ref>
|}

===1982 FIFA World Cup===
{{main|1982 FIFA World Cup}}

In the 1982 World Cup held in Spain, the stadium hosted four matches: three in the second round and the [[1982 FIFA World Cup final|final]] in which Italy defeated West Germany 3–1.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19820712&printsec=frontpage&hl=en|title=Sparkling Italy spring ultimate upset |date=12 July 1982|work=Glasgow Herald |access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|+1982 FIFA World Cup matches played at Santiago Bernabéu
!scope=col|Date
!scope=col|Team #1
!scope=col|Result
!scope=col|Team #2
!scope=col|Round
!scope=col|Attendance
!scope=col|Ref.
|-
|scope=row|29 June 1982
|align=right|{{fb-rt|FRG}}
|align=center|0–0
|{{fb|ENG}}
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup Group B#West Germany vs England|Second group stage]]
|75,000
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™: Germany FR - England |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/spain1982/matches/round=293/match=879/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref>
|-
|scope=row|2 July 1982
|align=right|{{fb-rt|FRG}}
|align=center|2–1
|{{fb|ESP}}
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup Group B#West Germany vs Spain|Second group stage]]
|90,089
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™: Germany FR - Spain |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/spain1982/matches/round=293/match=900/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref>
|-
|scope=row|5 July 1982
|align=right|{{fb-rt|ESP}}
|align=center|0–0
|{{fb|ENG}}
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup Group B#Spain vs England|Second group stage]]
|75,000
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™: Germany FR - Spain |url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/spain1982/matches/round=293/match=877/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref>
|-
|scope=row|11 July 1982
|align=right|{{fb-rt|ITA}}
|align=center|3–1
|{{fb|FRG}}
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup final|Final]]
|90,000
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=1982 FIFA World Cup Spain™: Italy - Germany FR |url=http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/worldcup/spain1982/matches/round=293/match=923/ |access-date=5 February 2024 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref>
|}

==Other uses==

===American football===
The stadium hosted its first American football game on 16 November 1958, after a La Liga match between Real Madrid and Valencia; however, the teams were not professionals, but represented two [[United States Air Force]] bases in Europe: Tigers from [[Toul-Croix de Metz Airfield|Toul]] (France) and Tacooners from [[Giebelstadt]] (Germany).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Relaño |first=Alfredo |date=2 February 2020 |title=Experimento de Super Bowl en el Bernabéu |url=https://elpais.com/deportes/2020/02/02/actualidad/1580654414_613426.html |access-date=23 February 2024 |work=El País |language=es |issn=1134-6582}}</ref>

The stadium hosted its first [[National Football League]] game as part of the [[NFL International Series]] on 16 November 2025 with the [[2025 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] defeating the [[2025 Washington Commanders season|Washington Commanders]] 16–13 in overtime.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Date
!Designated
visitor
!Score
!Designated
home team
!Score
!Attendance
|-
|{{nfly|2025}}
|November 16
|[[2025 Washington Commanders season|Washington Commanders]]
|13
|[[2025 Miami Dolphins season|'''Miami Dolphins''']]
|style="background-color:#eded45"| '''16'''<sup>{{Abbr|OT|Overtime}}</sup>
|78,610<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202511160mia.htm|title=Washington Commanders at Miami Dolphins - November 16th, 2025|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=November 18, 2025}}</ref>
|}

===Basketball===
The stadium will host the opening match for [[EuroBasket 2029]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://about.fiba.basketball/en/regions/europe/news/fiba-eurobasket-2029-hosts-announced|title=FIBA EuroBasket 2029 hosts announced|website=FIBA|date=22 May 2025|access-date=23 May 2025}}</ref>

===Cultural and social events===
The stadium has played host to some significant political and religious events.

During [[List of pastoral visits of Pope John Paul II#1980s|his pastoral visit to Spain in 1982]], [[Pope John Paul II]] addressed some 160,000 young individuals at the stadium.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pullella |first1=Philip |title=Pope John Paul II said Wednesday the Spanish Inquisition,... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/11/03/Pope-John-Paul-II-said-Wednesday-the-Spanish-Inquisition/3022405147600/ |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=United Press International |date=3 November 1982}}</ref>

===Concerts===
The stadium has hosted many touring musicians with dates in Madrid due to its expansive seating capacity and centralised location.

On 12 September 1983, famed Madrid-based singer [[Julio Iglesias]] (who played as a [[goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] for [[Real Madrid Castilla]] in the late 1950s) performed for nearly 100,000 people at the stadium.<ref>{{cite news|last1=García |first1=Ángeles |title=La noche mágica de Julio Iglesias fue en el estadio del Real Madrid |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1983/09/13/cultura/432252008_850215.html |work=El País |language=es |access-date=21 June 2023 |date=13 September 1983}}</ref> On 21 September 1989, Iglesias gave a free concert to a crowd of 70,000 people at the stadium.<ref>{{cite news |last1=de Albeniz |first1=Javier Perez |title=70.000 espectadores corearon a Julio Iglesias en el estadio Santiago Bernabéu |url=https://elpais.com/diario/1989/09/22/cultura/622418405_850215.html |access-date=21 June 2023 |work=El País |date=22 September 1989 |language=es}}</ref>

On 25 September 1986, American singer [[Frank Sinatra]] performed at the stadium, his only concert in the Spanish capital.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Votava |last2=Imagno |title=The Us-American Singer Frank Sinatra During His First And Unique Concert In Spain At Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Madrid. 25Th September 1986. Photograph. |url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/the-us-american-singer-frank-sinatra-during-his-first-and-news-photo/503021911 |website=Getty Images |access-date=21 June 2023 |date=25 September 1986}}</ref>

On 15 July 1987, Irish rock band [[U2]] held their first concert in Spain at the stadium as part of their [[The Joshua Tree Tour|''Joshua Tree Tour'']], along with English bands [[Big Audio Dynamite]], [[The Pretenders]], and [[UB40]] as the opening acts. Spanish journalist [[:es:Javier Menendez Flores|Javier Menéndez Flores]] believed that as many as 75,000 spectators may have been in attendance.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Javier Menendez |title=Así fue el concierto de U2 en el estadio Bernabéu en 1987 |url=https://www.uppers.es/cultura-y-entretenimiento/musica/concierto-u2-bernabeu-madrid-1987_18_3097245362.html |work=Uppers |access-date=21 June 2023 |date=13 March 2021}}</ref>

On 1 June 2002, the cast (16 contestants) of the reality [[Music competition|singing competition]] show ''[[Operación Triunfo (Spanish TV series)|Operación Triunfo]]'' performed a sold-out concert at the stadium as part of a 27-city Spanish tour. The concert aired on [[La 1 (Spanish TV channel)|La 1]] to 5.14 million viewers, with a 39.5% share, becoming the most-watched concert in the country.<ref name="concert">{{cite web |title=El Bernabéu se abre a Springsteen tras 21 años sin recitales de estrellas internacionales |url=https://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2007/12/05/cultura/1196851622.html |website=El Mundo |access-date=21 June 2023 |language=es |date=12 May 2007}}</ref>

American rock musician [[Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band]] performed at the stadium on three separate tours, making him the first artist to perform at the stadium on more than one occasion. The first date was during the [[Magic Tour (Bruce Springsteen)|''Magic Tour'']] on 17 July 2008, where the band played to an audience of 53,783.<ref name="concert"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Concert Boxscore for the 2008-07-23 issue |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/chart-billboard-concert-boxscore-idUSN0247329420081102 |access-date=21 June 2023 |work=Reuters |date=3 November 2008}}</ref> Their second concert was part of the ''[[Wrecking Ball World Tour]]'' on 17 June 2012, with an audience of 54,639 people, the first time Springsteen and his band sold-out the stadium.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Allen |first1=Bob |title=Hot Tours: Bruce Springstreen, Kenny Chesney, Franco De Vita |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/hot-tours-bruce-springstreen-kenny-chesney-franco-de-vita-482420/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=21 June 2023 |date=29 June 2012}}</ref> Four years after that, the band returned to the stadium on 21 May 2016 for [[The River Tour (2016)|''The River Tour'']], performing to a sell-out crowd of 55,695.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |title=Billboard Boxscore :: Current Scores |date=7 June 2016 |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607202059/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |archive-date=7 June 2016 |access-date=7 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The stadium would have hosted its first [[music festival]] on 30 June 2012 entitled ''El Gol de la Vida'' ("the goal of life"), a [[benefit concert]] featuring Dominican musician [[Juan Luis Guerra]] (as part of his [[A Son de Guerra World Tour|''A Son de Guerra'' World Tour]]), [[new flamenco]] singer [[Antonio Carmona]], Mexican singer [[Marcela Gándara]], and American [[Christian music|Christian]] singer [[Marcos Witt]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Las gradas del Santiago Bernabéu vibrarán con el "El Gol de la Vida" |url=https://www.actualidadevangelica.es/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3978:las-gradas-del-santiago-bernabeu-vibraran-con-el-el-gol-de-la-vida&catid=16:madrid |website=Actualidad Evangélica |access-date=22 June 2023 |language=es |date=1 June 2012}}</ref> However, the event was postponed and moved to the indoor arena, [[Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid]] (the home of [[Real Madrid Baloncesto]]) for unknown reasons, possibly due to weather concerns, scheduling conflicts or capacity issues.<ref>{{cite web |title='El gol de la vida', primer macroconcierto cristiano en España |url=https://www.vidanuevadigital.com/2012/05/24/el-gol-de-la-vida-macroconcierto-cristiano-en-el-bernabeu/ |website=Vida Nueva |access-date=22 June 2023 |language=es |date=24 May 2012 |author1=Vidanueva }}</ref>

On 25 June 2014, [[the Rolling Stones]] became the third international artist (and rock band) to headline a show at the stadium, when they brought their ''[[14 On Fire]]'' tour to a sell-out crowd of 57,416 spectators. Local rock icon [[Leiva (singer)|Leiva]] opened for the English band.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp |title=Billboard Boxscore : – Current Scores |date=16 July 2014 |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109105135/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |archive-date=9 November 2014 |access-date=16 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 29 June 2018, the top 16 finalists of the [[Operación Triunfo (series 9)|ninth series]] of ''Operación Triunfo'' performed at the stadium in front of 60,000 people, as part of their Spanish tour. It was the second time, the first being in 2002, that the contestants of ''Operación Triunfo'' brought their tour to the stadium.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hermida |first=Noelia |title=Operación Triunfo reúne a 60.000 personas en el Bernabeu |url=https://www.lne.es/sociedad/2018/06/30/operacion-triunfo-reune-60000-personas/2311312.html |date=30 June 2018 |access-date=4 July 2018 |newspaper=La Nueva España |language=es}}</ref>

American pop singer [[Taylor Swift]] performed at the stadium on 29 and 30 May 2024 for her global [[the Eras Tour|''Eras Tour'']]. Aside from being the first international artist to perform at the stadium in over a decade, Swift held the first concerts at the newly-renovated (for 2024) stadium, which has been outfitted with up-to-date technology to optimize the audience's experience at large-scale concerts, based on a comprehensive acoustic study.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wiltse |first1=Matt |title=Taylor Swift announced as first concert at the new Santiago Bernabeu in May 2024 |url=https://www.managingmadrid.com/2023/6/20/23767285/taylor-swift-announced-as-first-concert-at-the-new-santiago-bernabeu-in-may-2024 |website=Managing Madrid |access-date=22 June 2023 |date=20 June 2023}}</ref> [[Reem Abdalazem]] of ''[[Diario AS]]'' also noted that the concert's announcement marked "the first major event announcement for the newly constructed stadium."<ref>{{cite news |author1=[[Reem Abdalazem|Abdalazem, Reem]] |title=Taylor Swift 2024 Tour dates are out; pop star will perform at Santiago Bernabeu for the first time |url=https://en.as.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-2024-tour-is-out-pop-star-will-perform-at-santiago-bernabeu-for-the-first-time-n/ |access-date=22 June 2023 |work=Diario AS |date=20 June 2023}}</ref>

From 20–23 July 2024, popular [[Colombians|Colombian]] singer [[Karol G]] performed four shows at the stadium for her [[Mañana Será Bonito Tour|''Mañana Será Bonito'' World Tour]], making her the artist with the most performances at the stadium.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Tejada |first=Álvaro |date=5 March 2024 |title=Karol G anuncia gran concierto en Madrid en 2024 |url=https://www.santandersmusic.com/magazine/karol-g-madrid#:~:text=Karol%20G%20anuncia%20cuarta%20fecha%20en%20Madrid%20en%202024,-La%20superestrella%20actuar%C3%A1&text=Por%20la%20parte%20que%20nos,23%20de%20julio%20de%202024. |access-date=20 March 2024 |website=Santanders Music}}</ref> After announcing the first three shows from 20–22 June 2024, which sold-out in a matter of hours, the singer added a much-anticipated fourth show,<ref name=":1" /> marking the final dates of the European leg of her tour.<ref name=":1" /> Approximately 200,000 fans, at least, were estimated to be attending the four-night spectacle. The 2024 concerts at the stadium marked Karol G's first performances given in Spain in at least five years, since the earlier days of her career when she performed at small venues and festivals around the country.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

[[Luis Miguel]] performed in July 2024.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

==See also==
*[[Metropolitano Stadium]], the home stadium of Real Madrid's [[Madrid derby|inter-city rivals]] [[Atlético Madrid]]
*[[Lists of stadiums]]

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bernabéu Stadium}}
*[http://www.realmadrid.com/en/santiago-bernabeu-stadium Official website]
*[http://www.realmadrid.com/en/tickets/bernabeu-tour Bernabéu Tour]
*[https://www.facebook.com/bernabeuofficial/ Bernabéu Stadium] on [[Facebook]]
*[https://www.instagram.com/bernabeu/ Bernabéu Stadium] on [[Instagram]]
*[https://www.google.es/maps/@40.4530371,-3.6884852,18z Bernabéu Stadium] at [[Google Maps]]
*[https://espanaestadios.com/2018/07/14/estadio-santiago-bernabeu/ Profile at Estadios de España] {{in lang|en}}

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}}
{{Succession box
| title=[[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]]<br>[[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League finals|Final venue]]
| before=[[Parc des Princes]] <br> [[Paris]]
| after=[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]] <br> [[Brussels]]
| years=[[1957 European Cup Final|1957]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title=[[UEFA European Championship|European Nations' Cup]]<br>[[List of UEFA European Championship finals|Final venue]]
| before=Parc des Princes <br> Paris
| after=[[Stadio Olimpico]] <br/> [[Rome]]
| years=[[1964 European Nations' Cup Final|1964]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title=European Cup<br>Final venue
| before=[[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] <br> [[London]]
| after=[[San Siro]] <br> [[Milan]]
| years=[[1969 European Cup Final|1969]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title=European Cup<br>Final venue
| before=[[Olympiastadion (Munich)|Olympiastadion]] <br> [[Munich]]
| after=Parc des Princes <br> Paris
| years=[[1980 European Cup Final|1980]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title=[[FIFA World Cup]]<br>[[List of FIFA World Cup finals|Final venue]]
| before=[[Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti]] <br/> [[Buenos Aires]]
| after=[[Estadio Azteca]] <br/> [[Mexico City]]
| years=[[1982 FIFA World Cup Final|1982]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title=[[UEFA Champions League]]<br>[[List of European Cup and UEFA Champions League finals|Final venue]]
| before=Stadio Olimpico <br> Rome
| after=[[Wembley Stadium]] <br> [[London]]
| years=[[2010 UEFA Champions League Final|2010]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{WikidataCoord}}

{{Real Madrid C.F.}}
{{La Liga venues}}
{{1964 European Nations' Cup stadiums}}
{{UEFA European Championship final stadiums}}
{{1982 FIFA World Cup stadiums}}
{{FIFA World Cup Final stadiums}}
{{UEFA Champions League Final venues}}
{{UEFA Europa League Final venues}}
{{List of covered stadiums in Europe}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Santiago Bernabeu}}
[[Category:1947 establishments in Spain]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Chamartín District, Madrid]]
[[Category:Football venues in Madrid]]
[[Category:National stadiums|Spain]]
[[Category:Real Madrid CF]]
[[Category:Retractable-pitch stadiums]]
[[Category:Retractable-roof stadiums in Europe]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1947]]
[[Category:UEFA European Championship final stadiums]]