With a new retractable roof, pitch storage and removal system, a futuristic wrap-around and several other stunning features, the Real Madrid stadium renovation at the Santiago BernabeĂş has drawn great attention across the world.
Construction began in 2019 and though delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Bernabeu looked incredible already ahead of its December 2023 completion. However, the latest information from the club indicates that the unveiling of the new stadium home venue for Los Blancos has been postponed to 2024. The reason is that there are several events lined up to take place at Bernabeu. For example, Taylor Swift and Duki are set to perform at the venue on 31 May and 8 June respectively.
What is the Santiago Bernabeu renovation and upgrade?
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The Bernabeu upgrade process will increase the historic football ground's capacity from around 81,000 to 84,000. It means the iconic stadium, which has hosted UCL finals in the past, is set to become one of the biggest in the world, competing against the likes of Wembley in London, England.
One of the most complicated stages of the renovation has been the implementation of a world-leading pitch storage and removal system.
🏟️🌱👀 ¡El cĂ©sped retráctil del BernabĂ©u como nunca lo habĂas visto!#RealFootball pic.twitter.com/r2TkzsiNPv
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 5, 2023
In the video above, Real Madrid demonstrates how the pitch is separated into six sections to be stored beneath the surface in a temperature and light-controlled environment. The storage facility is, in essence, a greenhouse that will ensure the highest-quality playing surface.
There's also now a retractable roof with two enormous, 800-tonne panels which can come over the pitch to create one of the largest indoor arenas in the world. The roof was kept closed for Real Madrid's first home game of this 2023/24 La Liga season against Getafe.
Elsewhere, the exterior of the ground is spaceship-esque, a dedicated esports area is now included, and there's been a major security overhaul as well as an upgraded museum.
How much did Real Madrid stadium renovation cost?
So, how did all of this cost?
Well, the exact figure is not clear, nor disclosed.
In 2019, a deal was agreed with JP Morgan and Bank of America to loan €575m. A further loan of €225m was added in 2021 as plans expanded in scope. Another loan was then considered as costs continued to rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic and increased material costs due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
It's now thought that the full reconstruction costs will come around the €1bn mark.
Real Madrid will pay back these loans over several decades and hope to recoup their expenditure at speed. It's suggested that the club's revenues from the Santiago Bernabeu stadium will increase from €150m per year to €400m per year.
A deal with Sixth Street and Legends of up to €360m has already been agreed.
Who designed the Real Madrid stadium renovation?
Stadium designs play a pivotal role in their overall appearances. It is often a critical stage in the construction process as the artistic renderings thereof give fans and other stakeholders an impressive view of what is to come.
Two Spanish studios, L35 and Ribas & Ribas and the German studio GMP Architecten designed the Santiago Bernabeu.
Back in 1947 upon the stadium's original construction, the architects Manuel Muñoz Monasterio and Luis Alemany Soler were behind the plans.
Real Madrid stadium timeline
1944: Santiago BernabĂ©u and Rafael Salgado are given credit by the Banco Mercantil e Industrial bank to purchase the land next to Real Madrid's old ChamartĂn Stadium. Architects Manuel Muñoz Monasterio and Luis Alemany Soler were hired in September and construction began in October.
1947: The stadium, officially named Estadio Real Madrid Club de FĂştbol, was inaugurated.
1955: The General Assembly of Members Compromisaros named the stadium, up until this point more informally known simply as ChamartĂn, in honour of club President Santiago Bernabeu.
1955: The stadium enjoyed its first major reconstruction, increasing capacity to 125,000.
1972: The first electronic scoreboard was set up in the stadium.
1994: Following UEFA's guidelines for spectator safety, the Bernabeu was upgraded to provide a more comfortable experience.
2018: PĂ©rez's renovation plans to revamp the stadium were approved in the 2018 General Assembly.
2019: The remodelling process of the Santiago Bernebeu began.
2022: Work was to be completed by 2022, but the COVID-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine delayed plans.
2023: The Real Madrid stadium upgrade is expected to be fully completed in December 2023.
2024: The launching of the renovated stadium has been pushed to 2024, following a series of events lined up at the venue, which includes performances by international artistic such as Taylor Swift. The official unveiling date will be announced by the club at a later date.
How to do a Real Madrid stadium tour at the Santiago Bernabeu?
Prices range from €25 to €37 to do a Real Madrid stadium tour and you can book here.
Further reading on the Real Madrid stadium renovation:
Football Ground Guide: Real Madrid stadium upgrade: Santiago Bernabeu gets facelift
Football Ground Guide: Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid: The future Santiago Bernabeu
Managing Madrid: Date Revealed for Inauguration of the New Santiago Bernabeu