UEFA officials are impressed with the renovated Santiago Bernabeu Stadium following its hosting of the first NFL game in Spain. The governing body is considering the venue for a future Champions League final, despite a strained relationship with Real Madrid. However, the club has no plans to bid for hosting rights.
The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid underwent significant renovations, transforming it into a multi-purpose venue. On Sunday, it hosted its first-ever NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders, with the Dolphins securing a 16-13 victory. The event drew a large crowd of local and international fans, generating over €80 million in revenue from ticket sales, commercial activities, and city hospitality, according to a report from Defensa Central.
UEFA, the European football governing body, expressed admiration for the stadium's innovative upgrades despite recent tensions with Real Madrid. Sources indicate that UEFA is keen to stage a Champions League final at the Bernabeu in the near future, viewing it as an elite multi-event facility capable of handling major spectacles. No official decision has been made yet.
A key obstacle remains: Real Madrid must submit a formal bid to host the final, but the club is prioritizing revenue generation over such pursuits. President Florentino Perez outlined the renovation vision in 2023, stating: "The investment in technology has been increased in all the areas of the Bernabéu Tour. The Museum will be much bigger and the spaces have been modified to make them more attractive. The traditional Tour has been extended with 2 new routes. The turf maintenance lighting has also been changed from fixed to variable spectrum, which allows the full range of natural light colours to be used, and this is the first time it has been used anywhere in the world with spectacular results." The project includes a €370 million budget for enhancements like improved gastronomy and long-term financing with an A-rating equivalent to Spain's.
In a related development, Real Madrid has simplified the stadium's name to Bernabeu, removing 'Santiago' while honoring the legacy of Santiago Bernabeu de Yeste, a former player, president, and namesake from 1955. The team is currently playing away fixtures and will return home on December 7 to face Celta Vigo in La Liga.
