The transformation of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium into a multi-purpose entertainment centre has led to friction with local residents.
Noise complaints and protests from those living in Chamartín have forced the club to suspend concerts at least until March 2025, while additional soundproofing is being carried out.
The Real Madrid stadium, inaugurated in 1947, has undergone a major renovation that began in 2019 to turn it into an all-year-round entertainment venue.
With its new metal roof, advanced lighting systems, and enhanced VIP areas, the club aimed to attract a broader audience beyond football fans.
The ambition was to create a space capable of hosting concerts, cultural events, and other activities, fully utilising its retractable pitch and additional seating capacity, which has been increased from 81,000 to 84,000 seats.
However, this ambitious transformation has not been well received by everyone. The Chamartín neighbourhood, traditionally quiet except on match days, has been disrupted by the increase in the number of events held at the stadium.
The noise from concerts, combined with the behaviour of some attendees, has caused ongoing conflict between Real Madrid and local residents, who have formed associations to protest against the disturbances.
The Association of Those Affected by the Bernabéu, one of the resident groups leading the protests, argues that the stadium is not adequately soundproofed.
Despite the club’s efforts to meet regulatory requirements, the powerful speakers used during concerts have exacerbated the disturbances to unacceptable levels.
Luis Eusa, a local university student, explains that his grandparents’ flat, located directly opposite the Bernabéu, “shakes when there are concerts.” This sentiment is shared by many elderly residents, who have put up banners on their balconies with messages such as “NO to concerts” to express their discontent.
In response to the residents’ complaints, Real Madrid suspended all non-football events at the stadium last month. Since then, the club has prioritised new soundproofing measures to mitigate the issue.
The move came after a Madrid court ordered the temporary halt of the construction of a new underground car park and a tunnel to accommodate the trucks that transport equipment for events.
The decision followed a legal dispute over the concession contract for the project, which allowed the use of public land near the stadium.
In an attempt to resolve the issue amicably, Real Madrid has reached out to local communities with several proposals. The club has offered to soundproof affected residential buildings, a measure reported by journalist, Ramón Álvarez de Mon.
However, at least two communities have rejected the proposal. According to Álvarez de Mon, residents are not only concerned about the noise, but also about the behaviour of concert attendees, who cause disturbances in the streets for hours before and after events.
The city council, led by Mayor Luis Martínez Almeida, has also been embroiled in the controversy, facing criticism for allegedly favouring Real Madrid in its handling of the stadium’s renovation. –Insidethegames.biz