Real Madrid are set to face a criminal trial in Spain over alleged noise pollution linked to concerts at the newly renovated Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, after a judge ruled there are sufficient indications that environmental offences may have been committed at the stadium.
According to reports, the case centres on concerts held between April and September 2024, which local residents say repeatedly exceeded legal sound limits and damaged quality of life in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Judge Monica Aguirre de Cuesta, who has led the investigation, has indicted the club’s CEO, Jose Angel Sanchez, and Real Madrid Estadio SLU — the company that operates the venue — paving the way for the case to proceed to court.
In her ruling dated January 15, the judge wrote that there are “indications that alleged crimes were committed” and pointed specifically to repeated breaches of legally permitted noise levels during concerts.
The legal action was brought by the Asociacion Vecinal de Perjudicados por el Bernabeu (AVPB), a neighbourhood residents’ association formed to challenge the impact of loud events on local life.
Residents claimed that Real Madrid continued to make the stadium available for concerts despite knowing that its acoustic insulation was insufficient to protect neighbours from noise pollution — one of the reasons cited for the trial.
Long-running dispute over concerts and soundproofing at Bernabeu
The dispute dates back to after the Bernabeu’s major renovation, which included a retractable roof and multi-purpose pitch designed to turn it into a year-round venue.
In May 2024, global stars such as Taylor Swift, Karol G and Luis Miguel performed sold-out concerts at the stadium, drawing large crowds but also large volumes of sound that residents say caused stress, sleep disruption and health problems.
Although Real Madrid later introduced soundproofing measures and sought to comply with municipal regulations, the concerts were ultimately suspended in September 2024 after mounting complaints and legal pressure.
Club statements at the time acknowledged challenges in meeting noise limits despite enhancements, and the club said efforts would continue to ensure compliance.
In December 2024, Real Madrid said it was not in a position to confirm new concert dates amid ongoing concerns, underscoring the reputational and operational impact of the dispute.
Critics argue that using the stadium for non-football events was a key part of the club’s commercial strategy after the refurbishment, making the legal setback potentially costly beyond the courtroom.
Judge Aguirre’s decision dismisses legal claims against Madrid’s mayor and city councillor for planning on the grounds that their handling of regulatory sanctions did not constitute criminal wrongdoing, narrowing the focus to the club and its operators.
Legal battle intensifies
With the indictment now set to proceed, Real Madrid have a limited window to respond, while prosecutors and the AVPB prepare formal accusations.
The case highlights an escalating conflict between elite sport and urban living conditions, and underscores how modern multi-purpose stadium strategies can collide with local regulations and community interests.
FGG Says
This legal development is a stark reminder that big stadium ambitions cannot outpace basic regulatory compliance. Real Madrid’s renovation of the Bernabeu was meant to create a global entertainment hub, but residents’ legal action shows that ignoring the real human impact of noise pollution has consequences.
Turning a football ground into a year-round venue is a sound commercial move, in theory, yet it must be matched by genuine community engagement and technical solutions that work.
Clubs must respect neighbours just as much as they pursue commercial growth, and failure to do so does not just cost money or reputation, it lands them in court.