When Spanish soccer team Real Madrid’s stadium—the Santiago Bernabeu—was inaugurated in 1947, it was a stadium ahead of its time. It quickly went on to become one of the world’s most storied footballing cathedrals. Fast forward to the present however, and the 85,000-seater stadium—despite renovations and upgrades—has become slightly outdated.
This prompted Real Madrid to unveil plans for an ultra-modern new stadium exterior to usher its players and fans into the modern era. The unique project won’t involve demolishing the stadium and building a new one, but will rather see the venerable stadium clothed in a new, modern exterior complete with a retractable roof.
After a highly competitive process that saw many of the world’s top architectural firms submit proposals, Real Madrid opted for a design submitted by German architectural practice GMP. The renovation will cost around $457 million, half of which is expected to be funded by selling the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu’s naming rights to a global brand.
"Our commitment is to continue increasing the heritage of our club, thus gain in economic strength, so we can continue to lead in an environment of increasing competition," said Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez.
Rejuvenated Soccer Stadiums
Real Madrid’s Stadium Will Be One of the Most Advanced in the World
Trend Themes
1. Stadium Modernization - The trend of modernizing existing stadiums to meet the demands of the modern era offers opportunities for innovative architectural designs and technologies.
2. Retractable Roofs - The trend of incorporating retractable roofs in stadiums presents possibilities for providing adaptable and comfortable environments for sporting events, regardless of weather conditions.
3. Selling Naming Rights - The trend of selling naming rights to stadiums creates revenue opportunities for sports organizations and offers global brands a platform for increased visibility.
Industry Implications
1. Sports Architecture - The sports architecture industry can leverage the trend of stadium modernization to create cutting-edge designs and incorporate innovative technologies.
2. Roofing Systems - The roofing systems industry can capitalize on the trend of integrating retractable roofs in stadiums, providing advanced solutions that enhance the spectator experience.
3. Sports Marketing - The sports marketing industry can tap into the trend of selling naming rights to stadiums, facilitating partnerships between sports organizations and global brands for mutual benefits.