The Santiago Bernabéu football stadium will be the setting for a historic NFL game in 2025, but the transformation it will have to undergo to host the event will be far-reaching. The NFL will require technical adaptations to the Madrid stadium, which will consist, among other things, of demolishing and rebuilding the changing rooms to fit the teams.
Transformations at the Bernabéu for the NFL
Real Madrid has put considerable effort into the revitalization of the Santiago Bernabéu, all without forgetting the arrival of the NFL, which may require additional modifications. The layout of the field is one of the aspects of greatest concern, as the American football field is narrower and longer than the European football field. To this end, it is planned to remove rows of seats at the back in order to adapt the space to the required measurements. A further modification to the stands is also the element that has caused the most surprise: the changing rooms will have to be demolished and rebuilt. Its structure does not meet NFL requirements; American football teams are larger (while in Europe there are 11, the number can be as many as 53). This requires larger and better equipped facilities.
The impact of the NFL on the Santiago Bernabéu
The staging of an NFL game at the Bernabéu stadium symbolizes a historic moment both for the stadium itself and for sport in our country. But such a transformation cannot be carried out without a significant economic outlay, in this case by Real Madrid, which will face a high cost when undertaking the work, which not only involves rebuilding the changing rooms, but also redefining and improving the infrastructure of the stadium. Real Madrid sees the NFL as an opportunity to continue its vision of the Bernabéu as a multi-functional stadium that hosts events beyond football, such as concerts, high-level competitions, etc.
Despite what it may cost, the board makes no secret of the fact that it is an investment that may prove very advantageous in the long run, not only because the NFL in Madrid will bring in fans and box office receipts, but also advertising and broadcasting rights.
Concerts and events: the future of the Bernabéu
One of Real Madrid’s main objectives is to turn the Santiago Bernabéu into a venue for top-level events. Although the idea of holding concerts at the Bernabéu has generated a great deal of debate due to complaints from local residents, the club has decided to go ahead with the project and schedule between ten and twelve events per season. To this end, they plan to invest close to ten million euros in soundproofing the stadium. Among the planned measures is the closure of the ‘skywalk’ area and the installation of sound-absorbing elements in different parts of the stadium and in the vicinity of the stadium, in order to limit all sound pollution from outdoor concerts.
The work at the Santiago Bernabéu is not only intended to improve the spectator experience at Real Madrid matches, but also to turn the stadium into a world class venue for sporting and cultural events.
With the arrival of the NFL and the commitment to concerts, Real Madrid is seeking to maximize its income and, in this way, enhance the stadium’s image on an international scale for the future hosting of other major events like this one.