Real Madrid FC visitor guide (El Estadio Santiago Bernabeu), Spain

The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is the home of Real Madrid C.F. and a major international football venue. Plans for the stadium were drawn up in 1943 when it was decided that the clubs previous home, the Estadio Chamartin, was not big enough for the teams' ambitions. Work began on the stadium in 1944 and it was inaugurated on the 14th of December 1947. The first match played here was a game between Real Madrid and OS Belenenses of Portugal, which ended 3-1 in favour of the home team. Originally called the Estadio Chamartin (in homage to the teams former home), the stadium was renamed the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in 1955 in honour of the club president who had envisaged its construction. The initial capacity of the ground was 75,300 but this grew to a staggering 120,000 in 1953 with the addition of a third tier. Due to modern rules and requirements the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium currently has an all-seater capacity of 80,400. Famous matches to take place here include three European Cup finals and the 1982 World Cup final.

The stadium has four tiers of seating steeply arranged to put spectators close to the pitch. The views of the action are excellent and the stadium currently has a UEFA 5-star/Elite rating. Interestingly, the lowest tier of the ground was built below ground level, making the arena look bigger from the inside than it does from the outside. Tours of the ground are available year-round except for Christmas day and New Year’s Day. Non-match day tours run from 10:00 until 19:00 Monday to Saturday and 10:30 to 18:30 on Sundays and holidays. Tickets cost 15 Euros for adults and 10 Euros for children under 14 years of age. Tours are also available on match days; they run up to 5 hours before kick-off but don't include the dressing rooms.

The stadium is located in the business district of Madrid's city centre and MATCHhotels list many hotels around the ground so fans looking for a hotel near the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium will have plenty of choice close by.

Getting To The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

If you are coming to watch your team play at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium then it is likely that you will be arriving in Madrid by plane. Madrid's airport, the Barajas International Airport is situated 7.5 miles northeast of the city. The airport is well integrated into Madrid's transport network so getting to and from the city centre won't be a problem. The best way to get to central Madrid is to take the Metro. Line 8 runs from the airport to the Nuevos Ministerios station in the heart of the city; the journey takes around 14 minutes and will connect you with Metro lines 6 and 10 for easy travel on to your final destination (the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is one stop north of Nuevos Ministerios on Line 10). Buses run from the airport to the city but where you are staying will determine which service you will need. Taxis are always available outside the airport terminal should you choose not to take public transport.

The stadium itself is very easy to get to; it has its own stop, the Santiago Bernabeu on Line 10 of the Metro. There are many Santiago Bernabeu Stadium hotels within walking distance of the ground so chances are that you will be able to enjoy a pleasant stroll to the match.