Santiago Bernabéu
The iconic fortress of Real Madrid's glory.
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is a world-renowned football stadium located in Madrid, Spain, and is the home of Real Madrid CF. It is one of the most iconic and historic venues in the sport, known for its rich legacy and modern renovations.
Quick Facts
- Took office
- 11 September 1943
- Left office
- 2 June 1978
- Predecessor
- Antonio Santos Peralba
- Successor
- Luis de Carlos
- Birth name
- Santiago Bernabéu de Yeste
- Born
- 8 June 1895
- Birthplace
- Almansa, Spain
- Place of death
- Madrid, Spain
Lore & Background
The stadium was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 as the Nuevo Estadio Chamartín, but was later renamed in honor of legendary Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabéu. It has hosted numerous historic matches, including European Cup finals and World Cup games. The stadium underwent a major renovation in the 1980s and a recent ambitious remodeling project to become a state-of-the-art venue with a retractable roof and advanced technology.
Reader's Guide
Bernabéu's presidency saw Real Madrid win 6 European Cups, 2 Latin Cups, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 16 league titles, 6 Spanish Cups, and 1 Copa Eva Duarte. He died in 1978 while the World Cup was being played in Argentina; FIFA decreed three days of mourning. In 2002, he was posthumously awarded the FIFA Order of Merit.
Did You Know?
- The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium originally had a capacity of over 120,000, making it the largest stadium in Europe at the time of its opening.
- It was the venue for the 1982 FIFA World Cup final, where Italy defeated West Germany.
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