Estadio Chamartín

Lore & Background

In the early 1940s, the old Campo de Chamartín had become too small for the growing population of Madrid and the increasing popularity of football. Despite successive renovations that had expanded its capacity to 25,000 seats, the stadium was still insufficient for the club's needs. In spring 1943, President Antonio Santos Peralba expressed the need to build a new stadium, but financial difficulties raised uncertainties. With the arrival of Santiago Bernabéu to the presidency in September 1943, the plan gained decisive momentum. The new stadium was built on the grounds of the old field and on adjacent lands, forcing Real Madrid to play home games at the Stadium Metropolitano during the 1946–47 season and in five matches of the 1947–48 season.

In Their Own Story

The final official match at Estadio Chamartín was played on 13 May 1946, with Real Madrid winning 2–0 against CD Alcoyano in the quarter-finals of the Spanish Cup. Three days later, Real Madrid played the closing friendly against Málaga, in which the visitors prevailed 5–4. Demolition works proceeded the day after.

Reader's Guide

The stadium was located in the extension of the Paseo de la Castellana, adjacent to the old Campo de Chamartín. The land belonged to the 'Villa Ulpiana' estate and another known as 'Entrecanales', owned by the Maqueda and Chávarri families. The new stadium was completed in 1947 and named after Santiago Bernabéu.

Did You Know?

• The old Campo de Chamartín had a capacity of 25,000 seats before the new stadium was built.
• Real Madrid was forced to play home games at the Stadium Metropolitano during the 1946–47 season due to construction.
• The new stadium's construction used 2,000,000 bricks and moved about 150,000 m³ of earth.