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Issue 01 · City Guide · 6 min read

Real Madrid
& Santiago Bernabéu

The Holy Grail of football? Few would argue with that. Not many football stadiums embody the scale, ambition and history of the modern game quite like Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Located along Madrid’s grand Paseo de la Castellana, the home of Real Madrid has long stood as one of football’s most iconic venues. Watching a match here is not simply about seeing one of the world’s most famous clubs in action; it is about stepping into a stadium that has shaped the history of European football.

Club

Real Madrid

Stadium

Santiago Bernabéu

Capacity

78,297

Founded

1902

League

La Liga

Words by Champions Travel · Updated May 2026

Real Madrid have won La Liga 36 times and the European Cup or Champions League 15 times, more than any other club. The 78,000-seat Santiago Bernábeu, recently renovated into one of the most technically advanced stadiums in world football, sits at the centre of a global brand built on more than a century of dominance.

Located along Madrid’s grand Paseo de la Castellana, the home of Real Madrid has long stood as one of football’s most iconic venues. Watching a match here is not simply about seeing one of the world’s most famous clubs in action; it is about stepping into a stadium that has shaped the history of European football.

For travelling supporters, Madrid offers the chance to experience elite football within a city known for its art, architecture and vibrant street life.

Chapter 01

Santiago Bernabéu

The Santiago Bernabéu opened in 1947 and was named after former player and club president Santiago Bernabéu, the visionary who transformed Real Madrid into a global football powerhouse.

At the time of its construction, the stadium was among the most impressive sporting venues in Europe. Over the decades, it expanded and modernised, eventually becoming one of the largest stadiums on the continent.

Stadium opened

1947

Capacity

78,297

Founded

1902

League Titles

36

The Bernabéu has hosted many of football’s most significant events, including the 1982 FIFA World Cup Final and multiple European Cup finals.

In recent years, the stadium has undergone an ambitious redevelopment that has transformed it into one of the most technologically advanced venues in world sport. A retractable roof, movable pitch system and futuristic exterior façade have given the stadium a striking modern appearance while preserving its historic identity.

Throughout its history, the Bernabéu has been the stage for some of the game’s greatest players. Legends such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Raúl González, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo produced many of their most memorable performances here.

For the fixture list

The €1.2 billion renovation completed in 2024 has turned the Bernábeu into one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world. The retractable roof, retractable pitch and 360-degree video board have set a new benchmark in modern stadium design, while the silver-scaled exterior has become a visual signature of the club’s continued ambition.

Chapter 02

Matchday

Madrid is a city where football and culture coexist effortlessly.

Visitors can spend the morning exploring world-renowned museums before heading to the Bernabéu for an evening match. The city offers the perfect mixture of long lunches, lively plazas and late dinners, creating the perfect setting for a football weekend.

Arrive early. Supporters gather along Paseo de la Castellana hours before kick-off.

Explore the stadium tour. The Bernabéu tour and museum provide a detailed look at the club’s history.

Take the Metro. Santiago Bernabéu station offers the easiest access to the stadium.

Make matchday yours

Champions Travel

Skip the planning.
Book the Bernabéu trip.

Official Real Madrid match tickets, hospitality and matchday packages. We’re the officially appointed agent, turn up and we handle the rest.

Chapter 03

Beyond the Pitch

Madrid’s cultural reputation rivals that of any European capital.

The city’s famous “Golden Triangle of Art” includes the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum, home to some of the world’s most celebrated paintings.

A weekend football trip might involve exploring Madrid during the day before joining 78,297 supporters inside Santiago Bernabéu for an evening match.

Neighbourhood Guide

Chamartín

Matchday neighbourhood

The district surrounding the Bernabéu, where matchday energy fills nearby cafés and bars.

Malasaña

Heart of the city

A creative neighbourhood known for independent cafés, vintage stores and nightlife.

La Latina

Creative quarter

Historic streets filled with tapas bars and lively weekend crowds.

Salamanca

After dark

An elegant district known for its architecture, restaurants and boutiques.

Champions Travel · Hospitality at Real Madrid

Matchday Hospitality

Two hospitality club options at the Bernabéu with offsite premium catering.

Official Grada NH Eurobuilding Hospitality

1st Tier East Main Stand · Block 638

1st Tier East Main Stand seating. Catering located at Hotel NH Eurobuilding 500m from the stadium. Complimentary bar, inclusive authentic food stations. Access 2.5 hours pre-match only.

Enquire about this package →

Official 3rd Tier Espacio La Salle Hospitality

3rd Tier · Block 127

3rd Tier seating with catering at Espacio La Salle restaurant 500m from the stadium. Same complimentary bar and food stations.

Enquire about this package →

Official Real Madrid Tickets

When Santiago Bernabéu is in full voice,
you want to be there.

Official match tickets and travel packages, secured through Champions Travel. Europe’s premier official sports and events ticket agents.

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Champions Travel · Matchday packages

Santiago Bernabéu is on your list.
We’ll get you there.

Champions Travel is the officially appointed agent for Real Madrid. From the moment Hala Madrid hits the stands to the final whistle, we handle the lot. Tickets in the category you want, hospitality if you want to do it in style, hotels within walking distance and the kind of matchday plan that means you just turn up.

Included in every package

Official Real Madrid match tickets across every seating category

Hospitality and VIP options inside the Santiago Bernabéu

Hotel packages tailored to your fixture

End-to-end support from booking through to kick-off

Champions Travel

Europe’s premier official sports & events ticket agents.

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