The Santiago Bernabéu, a true jewel of Real Madrid, now sees its matches take place under a closed retractable roof. Beyond wanting to create a unique and intimidating atmosphere, Florentino Pérez made this decision for a good reason.
The Santiago Bernabéu is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. Inaugurated in 1947 and constantly modernised, it is located in the heart of Madrid. The stadium, designed by Manuel Muñoz Monasterio and Luis Alemany Soler, can hold over 81,000 spectators and offers an unobstructed view of the pitch from every seat. Its state-of-the-art facilities and impressive architecture make it a pilgrimage site for football fans from all over the world. Recently refurbished by Florentino Pérez, the Bernabéu has been the setting for many magical nights for the Madrid team.
Why the roof remains closed
For several months, Florentino Pérez has decided to keep the retractable roof of the Bernabéu closed for several strategic reasons. Firstly, a closed roof helps create a unique atmosphere and improved acoustics. Thus, in order to put pressure on opposing teams, the Madrid board has maintained this decision so that supporters can generate a more intense and noisy atmosphere. Matches are therefore played in a kind of “cauldron” where the energy of the supporters drives Carlo Ancelotti’s players.
One of Florentino Pérez’s objectives in keeping the Santiago Bernabéu closed for each match is that the retractable roof is a rare asset in Europe, and the only one in Spain. Focused on the financial stability of his club, the 78-year-old Spanish president wants to take advantage of each match to earn much more money with the influx of visitors. The club sees this infrastructure as an additional attraction, capable of drawing a larger number of spectators eager to experience this unique experience.
Finally, the closure of the Bernabéu roof also protects the pitch and players from the weather, whether it’s rain, wind, heat, or cold. With a closed roof, playing conditions are optimal throughout the season. This also helps avoid interruptions caused by the whims of the weather. In short, Florentino Pérez views the closed roof of the Bernabéu as a major competitive advantage, capable of influencing both sporting and financial performances and enhancing the stadium’s appeal to football fans worldwide.
As a result, everything is going much better, especially financially, for Real, which is the first club to reach the one billion profit mark over the last two years. According to recent reports, the Madrid president is currently considering expanding the stadium’s capacity to ensure it can host the World Cup final that Spain is organising with Morocco.
Leave a Reply