The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is the headquarters of the real Madrid football team and scene of some of the most emblematic moments of this sport. Legends like Zinedine Zidane, Raúl González and Emilio Butragueño are just some of the players who have built their legacy at the iconic stadium.

Have you ever wondered how the stadium got its name or the exact capacity it can hold? Below are ten facts about the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

The stadium received its official name in 1955, in honor of the former player, coach and president, Santiago Bernabéu. The Real Madrid legend played for the club from 1921 to 1926 and took over as coach from 1926 to 1927. Bernabéu became president in 1943, serving 34 years until his death at age 82.

With capacity for more than 82,000 people, the Santiago Bernabéu is the third largest stadium in Europe, behind Camp Nou and Wembley Stadium. Seating capacity is 84,744, but an average of around 78,000 fans per game.

In 2004, Real Madrid installed a hybrid grass surface, which combines natural grass with synthetic fibers. It helps keep the court in excellent condition, something modern courts struggle to achieve with heavy use.

Some of the best football clubs in the world use their stadiums as museums. Real Madrid is one of them, with a trophy case that shows all their achievements. The Bernabéu Tour has been visited by more than 15 million people since its inauguration in 1999.

Check out the Paseo de las Leyendas if you’re heading to the Santiago Bernabéu to take a tour of the stadium. This path runs around the perimeter of the stadium and features statues and plaques of some of Los Blancos’ most notable players.

The stadium installed a retractable roof in February 2023, covering 9,000 square meters of the main roof area and 8,000 square meters of the interior roof area. The roof retracts in 15 minutes and can be closed on big game nights to create a hostile atmosphere.

The renovations, which included the retractable roof, a new LED lighting system and upgraded hospitality areas, were completed in 2019 and are estimated to have cost around $435 million.

The Santiago Bernabéu was one of several stadiums selected to host FIFA World Cup matches in 1982. It hosted four matches, including the final between Italy and West Germany, which the Italians won 3–1.

Although its main use may be hosting Real Madrid matches, the stadium has hosted many great music concerts. U2, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and Madonna have all sold out concerts there.

The Santiago Bernabéu has hosted four UEFA Champions League/European Cup finals, the first of which was a Real Madrid victory over Fiorentina in 1957. The last final played at the stadium was in 2010 between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich.

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