A stadium in which to continue living out unforgettable emotions and experiences.

“The Santiago Bernabéu of the 21st century will continue to be the setting that generates emotions which will leave their mark on Real Madrid’s future”, declared Florentino Pérez.

The Santiago Bernabéu is set to undergo a facelift which will ensure that the arena continues to be a global benchmark within the worlds of sport and architecture. According to Florentino Pérez, “The new stadium will continue to be the setting that generates the emotions which will leave their mark on Real Madrid’s future. It’ll be the best stadium in the world in which to see us once again recognised at the end of the century as the best club of the 21st century. It’ll offer a new stadium, heritage and be a new source of pride for our members and fans”.

The joint project led by GMP Arquitectos and L35 Ribas successfully secured the tender to oversee a revamp of a stadium that is poised to become a global role model. The renovation work will see the Bernabéu become a state-of-the-art arena that satisfies the demands of club members, whilst also increasing the club’s revenue streams. One standout feature will be the stadium’s wrap-around facade, which will consist of strips of steel and stripes which can be lit up and upon which images can be projected. The new arena will also offer the option for the pitch to be covered by both permanent and retractable roofs, a feature which will ensure that all of the seating areas are covered. 

GMP Arquitectos and L35 Ribas will carry out the project

The revamp will make the Santiago Bernabéu a more modern, comfortable and safe arena and see it enhanced with the addition of leisure, restaurant and entertainment areas. Technology takes its place at the heart of the project. There will be an area within the stadium devoted to e-sports, whilst the arena will be fitted out with an impressive 360° scoreboard.

The redevelopment will see the Santiago Bernabéu become a digital arena, in which technological advances and the use of audio-visual tools will be available across many areas of the stadium. For example, fans will be able to enjoy club-generated content that enhances their matchday experience on their mobile phones and tablets, in what is known as the use of a second screen.

Museum extension
The museum is also set to undergo a massive revamp, which will be centred around the Paseo de la Castellana area. The museum will be extended in size and will benefit from a new interactive section, to be set up in the Padre Damián area, featuring the latest virtual-reality technology. The route included within the Tour Bernabéu will also be extended with the launch of a panoramic tour that will take visitors right the way around the stadium’s outer rim.

The redevelopment has two aims: to improve fan comfort and accessibility and to exploit new sources of revenue.

The project will also bring about improvements to the stadium’s urban setting, with a large square, of over 20,000m2, to be built on the Paseo de la Castellana, and another measuring 5,500 m2 on the corner of Padre Damián, which will see the calle Rafael Salgado become pedestrianised. There will be improvements in terms of security, accessibility and evacuation for all supporters, given that the stadium will be equipped with more entry points. The current shopping centre is set to be demolished and two new towers will be erected on the Castellana, complete with ramps, escalators and lifts. The movement of supporters will also be more fluid, thanks to the instalment of new escalators along the Castellana and Padre Damián which will serve the stadium’s highest points.

Shopping facilities
The shopping provision will be improved with two Real Madrid stores to be opened within the complex. The new stadium will also include the launch of a new shopping experience with digital points of sale offering goods sold by the world’s most prestigious electronic and consumer goods brands, turning the public areas into a shop window for the planet’s latest products. “The new exploitation model for the stadium will bring in an extra €150 million per season, which will mean a more constant flow of revenue as we bid to maintain our status as on-field and financial leaders”, stated Florentino Pérez.