The Titan
The Hypogeum Cave
The greatest secret of the new Bernabéu is hidden 30 meters underground. To allow the stadium to host concerts without damaging the grass, engineers built a massive subterranean greenhouse on the west lateral.
Vertical Storage
The 6 trays are stacked vertically in a 30m deep chamber. This was the only solution as the stadium is landlocked by city streets.
Agronomy System
Inside the cave, cameras monitor grass health. Automated robots inject CO2 and nutrients. The grass lives in "eternal spring" conditions.
Turnaround Time
The entire pitch can be removed or installed in approximately 6 hours via hydraulic lifts.
The Chameleon
Once the grass is hidden, the concrete floor transforms the Bernabéu into the largest event venue in Europe.
Concert Mode
Hosted Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Acoustic panels prevent sound escape, protecting the neighborhood while amplifying the volume inside.
NFL International
Artificial turf is laid over the concrete slab. Locker rooms are designed to expand to accommodate 53-man NFL rosters.
Arena Mode
The space can be divided to host a tennis match (Nadal vs Federer) and a basketball game simultaneously.
Miedo Escénico
(Stage Fright)
Jorge Valdano coined the term "Miedo Escénico" to describe the paralysis that grips opponents at the Bernabéu. It is not just noise; it is history weighing down on the visiting team.
The stadium is vertical. The stands are steeper than almost any other major European venue, creating a "wall of people" that seems to hang over the pitch. When the roof is closed, the acoustics trap the sound, reaching decibel levels comparable to a jet engine takeoff.
"90 minuti en el Bernabéu son molto longo."
The Transformation Timeline
Demolition Begins
The shopping center "La Esquina" is demolished to make way for the new plaza.
The Pandemic Opportunity
With matches played behind closed doors at Di Stéfano, construction accelerates. The pitch is removed to dig the cave.
The Mega Trusses
Two massive 800-ton trusses are lifted to support the new retractable roof. A feat of engineering.
The Skin & Halo
Installation of the 14,000 steel slats and the 360-degree video scoreboard.
Grand Opening
The completed stadium hosts the Champions League celebration. The Skywalk opens to the public.
Tour Bernabéu
The third most visited museum in Madrid. Walk through the Hall of Kings, sit on the bench, and see the locker rooms.
Visitor Info
- Open every day except Dec 25 & Jan 1.
- Metro Line 10 (Santiago Bernabéu).
- Avg. Visit Time: 1.5 Hours.