Santiago Bernabeu

Away fans visiting the Santiago Bernabéu will be seated in a small section of the northeast stand, specifically in the fourth tier, which can be accessed through Tower D.

Due to a lack of accommodating culture for away supporters, there are only a limited number of seats allocated for visiting fans. This situation is notably different from other European countries, where the presence of away supporters is often much larger.

The number of visiting fans tends to be especially low for matches against smaller teams. However, on Champions League nights, away fans receive a slightly higher allocation of seats compared to regular La Liga matches.

The stadium’s size and impressive stature can be quite intimidating for visiting supporters. Additionally, the noise levels within the stadium are significantly higher than those at Camp Nou. Despite being confined to a corner of the massive arena, away fans can still experience a welcoming atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Though there are plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby, having diverse dining options is essential, and the Santiago Bernabéu excels in this regard. The hospitality packages offered at the stadium reflect its world-renowned status in the realm of sporting events. Some of the top dining venues include the Asador Restaurant, Sala de Trofeos, and Sala Copas de Europa, where first-class food and service can be expected. As you dine, you may feel somewhat overwhelmed by the impressive array of trophies on display. These restaurants are located in various sections of the stadium, including the South stand and the West stand.

Santiago Bernabeu renovation is complete

The renovation of the Santiago Bernabeu is now complete, making it one of the most beautiful stadiums in Europe. The renovation cost of the Real Madrid stadium was approximately £1.51 billion, which positions it among the most expensive stadiums in the world today.

Today, the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium boasts the largest retractable roof in the world. Incredibly, the roof can close in just 15 minutes. This significant addition enhances the stadium’s atmosphere on matchday. Santiago Bernabeu has one of the best atmospheres in the world of football. It means we should expect some great Champions League nights at the Bernabeu.

Arsenal will visit Bernabeu on 16 April 2025, ahead of which Los Blancos are set to set a new record for the highest individual ticket price. Our Santiago Bernabeu matchday guide for this fixture sheds more light on the details.

Recent renovations to the Bernabeu have given the venue’s exterior a fresh appeal. The curved design enhances the fluidity and adds a unique appearance.

A cutting-edge pitch removal system at the Bernabeu is a notable feature, enabling Real Madrid to store water beneath the stadium. This innovative capability positions the stadium among the world’s most environmentally friendly venues.

Santiago Bernabeu is one of the largest football stadiums in Europe. Built in 1947, it has a seating capacity of 81,044 spectators. The incredible history, along with the size, makes it one of the formidable avenues for visiting teams. One should expect a European-style construction that is very common in mainland Europe. As a result, Santiago Bernabeu uses the bowl style rather than the distinct stands adopted by football stadiums in England.

One key difference in the Santiago Bernabeu is the presence of a roof on all four sections, a trait that is quite rare considering the high number of sunny days in this part of the world. Still, it is very difficult to call the Santiago Bernabeu oval in shape, as it has very defined four sides – Fondo Norte, Fondo Sur, Lateral Este, and Lateral Oeste.

Fondo Norte

This is a section of the stadium that is incredibly massive in size, just like other sections. A major expansion took place in the early 1990s that resulted in the addition of around 20,000 seats.

To accommodate such a large number of seats, the stadium’s height almost doubled from just 22 m to an incredible 45 m. This section of the stadium has been fitted with special arrangements to make sure that the pitch gets adequate light and heat, which were simply denied after the increase in size.

Fondo Sur

Despite being smaller in size compared to the other sections, this stand is considered the main stand for the Santiago Bernabeu. It comprises all the key features like the dugout, changing rooms, and several executive seating areas.

Lateral Este

This section is in the east of the stadium, and it underwent a renovation in the early 2000s. This renovation helped the East stand stand on par with the main stand in terms of size, but Madrid ended up spending almost €130 million for this expansion. Incidentally, this is the entire figure spent by the club for the original construction.

Lateral Oeste

This section is a mirror image of Fondo Sur in terms of dimensions and seating arrangements.

Since Santiago Bernabeu is in central Madrid, the process of driving up to the stadium can be quite tricky for people from other parts of the country or Europe.

We recommend using a navigation system to easily find the stadium, especially during times of heavy traffic. Santiago Bernabéu is located approximately 4 km from the city centre. If you are driving with satellite navigation, the address is Av. Concha Espina 1, 28036, Madrid.

Once near the stadium, you may find that the process of parking in the city can be very complicated. This is especially true when trying to park on the streets. The best bet would be to go for the several private and public car parks that are located near the ground.

Due to the strict rules and regulations in the city, on-street parking requires a lot of local knowledge. If not, it is very easy to flout the rules and end up being fined. There is even a likelihood of the car being towed away.

By train or metro

One of the best ways to get to the Santiago Bernabeu would be to use the metro after reaching the city. Since Madrid is the capital of Spain, it is well-connected to other major cities and towns through a number of means.

Once you arrive in the city, Metro Line 10 will take you directly to the stadium, with minimal walking required. After reaching Atocha train station, you can catch either bus 27 or bus 14 to get to the stadium. Bus 14 runs along Avenida Pio XII and passes by the Paseo La Habana stadium. Alternatively, bus 27 will take you directly to Plaza Lima, which is located just across from the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. If you are at the Callao metro station, you can take bus 147, which will take you straight to the stadium.

Regardless of where you are in Madrid, you can get to the stadium in around 20 minutes on metro lines C1, C2, C3, C4, C7, and C10. Many regional and intercity trains connect Madrid with other parts of the country. It is very easy to make a one-day trip to witness Real Madrid play at the Santiago Bernabeu.

As the capital of Spain, Madrid offers numerous venues perfect for grabbing a drink before a match. These spots are scattered throughout the city and serve as excellent places for fans to enjoy a beverage prior to the game. They also provide a great atmosphere for those who may not have a ticket to the match but still want to soak in the excitement. Here are some of the top pubs to consider:

James Joyce Irish Pub

This pub features a strong Irish theme that creates a harmonious blend. When you visit, you can enjoy the excellent fusion of Spanish and Irish cuisine. Additionally, there are plenty of TVs, ensuring you won’t miss any of the popular sports action.

Luckia Sport Cafe Madrid

This is a great place for away fans to hang out just before the game or grab something to eat while watching a match. Unlike in other pubs, away fans will especially feel more at home. This can also be a great destination for neutral supporters. The food is reasonable, and there are a large number of drink options. This is a pre-match spot considering that it is very close to the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Irish Rover

If you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere in Madrid with an excellent nightlife, this is a great spot to consider. Its proximity to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a significant advantage. The service is top-notch, and the ambience is inviting. The authentic Irish theme adds to its charm, making it highly recommended for both fans of Madrid and those who are neutral.

Ham Sandwich

Ham sandwich at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu @realmadrid

💶 7.50€@FootyScran pic.twitter.com/FQECPtx5Aq

— Edu Fernandez (@edubailasolo) March 11, 2023

Bacon Cheeseburger

Bacon cheeseburger at Real Madrid (@realmadrid)

💶 €10 (£8.50) pic.twitter.com/1epfBgGVYs

— Footy Scran (@FootyScran) March 11, 2024

There are different types of stadium tours available at the Santiago Bernabeu. The classic tour, which costs €14, includes access to Real Madrid and a panoramic view of the stadium interiors.

The flexible tour date is slightly expensive at €17, but it has the added advantage of an open date. The Plus tour is priced at €20, and it offers an interactive audio guide in 10 languages.

The Premium tour option is priced the highest at €23, but it comes with an official guide of the stadium as its key advantage. You can also visit the playing field, presidential box, and more. The above prices are only applicable for individuals, while groups and schools are eligible for some attractive discounts. If you happen to purchase tickets at the office without visiting the online ticket office, every package will come with a €3 price increase.

There are special packages for school groups, and the Plus tour option is an educational product in this case. It is priced at €15 per person. The classic package for school groups is priced at €9, while a fully guided visit will cost €17. The latter comes with an official guide, along with all other perks.

While El Clasico is the most popular fixture in Spanish La Liga, featuring Real Madrid and Barcelona, local football rivalries extend beyond this. In addition to the famous El Clasico derby, Los Blancos have other notable local football rivalries.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are major local rivals. Their matchups, known as the Madrid Derby, have consistently dominated the Spanish top flight for many years.

As one of the fiercest football derbies in Spanish football, the two clubs are only a few kilometres apart.

Rayo Vallecano

A clash with Rayo Vallecano often generates some modest interest from fans of both teams. Rayo Vallecano are also based in Madrid in the working-class neighbourhood of Vallecas. However, a meeting with Los Blancos isn’t as locally intense as the clash with Atletico Madrid.

Other notable rivals of Real Madrid are Getafe CF, AD Alcorcon and CD Leganes, as all three are located within the Madrid region.

Record attendance

129,690 vs AC Milan (European Cup – 19 April 1956)

Average attendance

• 2019-2020: 51,140 (La Liga)
• 2018-2019: 60,645 (La Liga)
• 2017-2018: 66,510 (La Liga)

There are a fair number of facilities available for individuals with disabilities, although they are not outstanding. For instance, a disabled fan can purchase tickets for the stadium tour, but they are unable to participate in the full tour. Their access is limited to specific areas, such as the trophy cabinet and technical sections.

Wheelchairs are available for borrowing, and a guided tour option is also offered. Additionally, there is a special evacuation plan in place for individuals with disabilities in case of emergencies.

For additional information on Santiago Bernabeu’s disabled facilities and accessibility, visit the club’s official website.

Buying Real Madrid tickets can be done on their official website or the club’s ticketing office. There are three types of tickets you can buy at Santiago Bernabeu, namely matchday, season and VIP tickets. VIP tickets are sold separately on a dedicated platform on the club’s website.

2025/26 matchday tickets at Santiago Bernabeu

Because Real Madrid tickets can be hard to find, given the club’s massive support base in Spain, and that they are always in high demand, we recommend using our Santiago Bernabeu ticket buying guide for a start.

Most importantly, ticket prices at Real Madrid tend to fluctuate depending on the opposition. For example, Madrid derby and El Clasico tickets tend to cost more than matchups with other teams in La Liga. The currently listed VIP ticket price for the El Clasico clash in October 2025 is from €990.

Additionally, ticket sales take place in phases, usually starting with non-paying members, followed by premium Madridistas and finally, the general public.

The average ticket price for adults at Santiago Bernabeu is €75, while VIP pricing averages €390. However, for UCL games, ticket prices for adults are a little higher, usually from €90 in most cases.

Managing Madrid

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