Real Madrid fans in London: Champions League Final Guide

This weekend, there will be thousands of Real Madrid fans in London as Los Blanco chase their 15th Champions League triumph. Carlo Ancelotti's men will have to overcome Borussia Dortmund who have reached the Champions League final against all odds.

If you are a Real Madrid fan heading to London for the final, here is everything you need to know to ensure you make the most of your time in the English capital.

How many Real Madrid fans are going to London?

Real Madrid were given an allocation of 25,000 tickets for the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund so there will be a swarm of Spanish fans heading to Wembley this weekend.

Given plenty of Real Madrid fans will have missed out on tickets, it isn't outside the realms of possibility that more than the 25,000 ticket holders will make the trip.

It will be the second time this season that Real Madrid have made their way to England in the Champions League. They faced Manchester City in the quarter-finals in April and won the tie via a dramatic penalty shootout.

Real Madrid fans will be desperate to get a win at Wembley given that their bitter rivals, Barcelona, have won the Champions League twice at England's national stadium in the past.

Where do Real Madrid fans sit in Wembley?

Real Madrid have been given the east side of Wembley Stadium. The majority of fans will be sat behind the goal on the east side of the stadium but some will find themselves around the corner flag and level with the 18-yard box. The fans will be situated in tier one and tier three with the middle tier saved for hospitality.

How many fans do Real Madrid have?

Real Madrid are one of the most well-supported clubs in the world with fans across the globe cheering them on. Given they have won the Champions League 14 times and the fact some of the greatest footballers of all time have donned the famous white shirt, it is unsurprising that they are so popular.

Based on recent estimates, there are over 400 million Real Madrid fans worldwide, but closer to home, they have around 60,000 season ticket holders at the Santiago Bernabeu. On top of that, they have over 90,000 socios, or in other words, members. Each of these socios has voting rights and elect the club president every four years.

Full fans’ matchday guide for Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid

Due to complications that have arisen in recent Champions League finals, UEFA are increasing security protocols for this fixture. For starters, they are putting on a record number of stewards to ensure everything goes smoothly at the turnstiles and secondly, they are opening the turnstile four hours before kick-off.

Additionally, Real Madrid have been allocated a specific part of London to congregate throughout the day. For more information on that, and where else near Wembley is worth checking out, read our guide below.

Where to eat & drink for Real Madrid fans in London

The UEFA-allocated fan zone for Real Madrid fans in London is Victoria Embankment. This is a nice part of London on the north bank of the river Thames and will be a good spot for Real Madrid fans to spend the day.

Entrance to the fan park at Victoria Embankment is via Hungerford Bridge and it will open at 11 am. Fans can enjoy live music throughout the day while food and drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be served throughout. A big screen will also be put up to keep fans entertained.

If you want to spend a bit of time closer to Wembley Stadium, then there are plenty of food and drink options nearby. Baker Street, which is just two stops away from Wembley Park on the London Underground, has several pubs worth checking out.

How to get to Wembley: Guide for Real Madrid fans in London

Getting to Wembley Stadium is relatively straightforward regardless of where you choose to spend your day in London. By far the easiest way to get to the stadium is to use the London Underground or Overground. The two closest stops to the stadium are Wembley Park, which will result in you walking down the famous Wembley Way en route to the stadium, and Wembley Central.

To get to Wembley Stadium from the fan zone at Victoria Embankment, fans need to walk to Charing Cross Underground Station and take the Bakerloo line to Baker Street. From there, you will need to swap on to the Metropolitan Line and get off at Wembley Park.

Jude Bellingham's relationship with Real Madrid fans

The big story ahead of the Champions League final is Jude Bellingham. The England midfielder has had a stellar debut season with Real Madrid and he is finishing it off by playing at the English national stadium against the club he left in the summer – Borussia Dortmund.

Bellingham has a special relationship with Real Madrid fans already thanks to how well he has taken to life at the club. He has already scored two late winners against Barcelona and is doing everything he can to endear himself to them by learning Spanish and joining in with chants at matches.

Jude Bellingham was seen greeting the Real Madrid fans after being confirmed La Liga champions! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/PThqmiT2YX

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 4, 2024

After Real Madrid defeated Man City in the Champions League quarter-finals, Bellingham was the first player to run over to the travelling Real Madrid fans and jump into the away end to join in with the celebrations. We can expect similar scenes on Saturday if Los Blancos get the job done.

Why do Real Madrid fans sing Hey Jude?

Bellingham was only at the club for a month when the Real Madrid fans started singing his name at matches. During a match in September, Bellingham was serenaded with the Beatles song ‘Hey Jude' by Real Madrid fans and they have continued to sing it ever since.

The reason for the song is fairly self-explanatory. Bellingham's first name is Jude and the song is iconic in its own right. It would almost feel wrong if any other song was used for him.

Hey Jude was released by English band The Beatles in 1968 and was ranked at number eight in Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.