Renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Behind the stunning metallic façade, construction work is moving forward
After hosting concerts by Taylor Swift and other international stars, which have elevated the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium’s profile well beyond its football reputation, the stadium has been selected as one of the venues for the FIFA World Cup Final in 2030. This decision reinforces Bernabéu’s global status as it continues to evolve and solidify its place as one of the best stadiums in the world.
Ongoing Work: innovations and improvements
The renovation process of the stadium has included significant upgrades, such as the innovative exterior metallic facade, designed to provide a modern and functional aesthetic. The architecture firm L35 Architects continues to closely oversee the work to ensure that the stadium not only maintains its historical prestige but also delivers quality in the final interior details. These include access to VIP areas and connection zones between different sections, to ensure internal comfort and to highlight the quality of a project of this scale in every detail.
Current work focuses on both the stadium’s interiors and the exterior development. In the access areas, the North and East facades have been completed, while work continues on the South and West facades. Although the access points are not fully finished, they have been operational since the last season through a temporary entry control, which will be replaced by a permanent turnstile system, with finishes that will match the quality of the North and East sections.
Circulation and lighting: unifying and simplifying space
Regarding interior circulation, particularly in the galleries, work is underway with a more efficient lighting system focused on high-traffic areas. The new lighting design aims to enhance the simplicity and intuitiveness of the interior layout, supporting the wayfinding project through architectural solutions that identify different zones. Colors and materials have been strategically used to differentiate various spaces.
Beyond technical efficiency, the lighting aims to add warmth to the stadium’s interior spaces, creating comfortable areas for users to enjoy. The stadium’s layout is a result of numerous past renovations, and it has been unified and simplified to ease movement and improve user orientation. The new Bernabéu project is more than just a stadium; it is a multifunctional building in the heart of the Spanish capital, designed to meet the cultural needs of its community. L35 Architects, a Spanish firm with international presence, has leveraged its expertise in stadium and mixed-use projects to craft the best solution for a project of this scale.
International visibility and future of the Stadium
Following the international concerts held at the Bernabéu, the stadium is expanding its visibility by also making its mark in non-football sectors. In the football realm, the stadium is leading the way as a host for the FIFA World Cup 2030. For this type of events, the stadium is elevating all its spaces to the highest standards of circulation and functionality, serving as a model of a multifunctional and flexible macro-project, ready to adapt to future usage changes. Not only it represents the club’s effort to diversify its functions but it also underscores its commitment to the sustainability of its infrastructure, ensuring the continued operation of a vital urban space in the heart of Madrid.
Completion of construction and exterior development
The construction work is in the final stages in all areas of the stadium, including leisure zones, VIP areas, and press spaces, following the initial design guidelines. From the base to the most private areas, the design addresses the flow needs of the macrostructure, ensuring effective management of interior circulation.
As work progresses in various sectors of the stadium, the exterior development continues to move forward. Following the completion of Rafael Salgado and Padre Damián streets, the east plaza is being finalized with access to the metro and parking, ensuring connectivity between public and private transportation and the stadium’s interiors. The landscaped exterior area, which includes functional elements for parking entry and exit and logistic areas of the stadium, will be part of the grand entrance to the new Bernabéu. This space will not only welcome stadium users but will also become a gathering area where the Bernabéu integrates into the Madrid landscape.
CREDITS
CEO-senior partner: Tristán López-Chicheri
Project coordinator: Alejandro Lorca
Partners in charge of design: Ernesto Klingenberg, Alejandro Barca,
Team managers: Raquel Pérez Diego Blasco Sáenz Messia, Guillermo Gusó
Design team: Concha Salguero, Hendrik Hiddemann, Hugo Martínez, Rafael Ortiz de Solórzano, Diego Fierro, Marta Gómez, Laura Fernández, Marta Canto, Andrés Rebuelta, Gerardo Martínez, Borja Fernandez-Del Vallado, Ana Helena Fernandes, Stefano Melgrati, Jorge Romera, Bosco Pita, Pablo García, Paulo Romero, Sergio Sanz, María Pérez, Roberto Ráez, Iván López-Chicheri, Yanis Amasri, Marco Silva, Almudena Blanco.
In collaboration with: GMP and Ribas & Ribas
GMP Team: Markus Pfisterer, Martin Glass
Ribas & Ribas Team: José Ribas, Adriana Ribas
