The Santiago Bernabeu’s transformation into a state-of-the-art venue has been hailed as a landmark achievement, but the redevelopment of its surrounding area continues to generate controversy in Madrid.
On Friday, Más Madrid filed nine objections against the City Council’s modification of the stadium’s urban plan, urging the project be halted until ongoing legal proceedings are resolved. The party criticized what it calls a lack of transparency, the absence of mobility studies, and the destruction of the 1982 World Cup gardens. They also argued that the plan contradicts the city’s cycling strategy and privatizes public space for Real Madrid’s commercial benefit.
The PSOE has already lodged similar complaints, focusing on the construction of new parking facilities promoted by the club. Both opposition groups accused mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida of approving the plan during the holiday period to avoid scrutiny, with Más Madrid describing the project as “a gift to the club.”
These objections come against the backdrop of legal rulings that have already slowed parts of the redevelopment. In May 2024, a Madrid court ordered construction of two underground parking lots and a tunnel to stop, citing lack of public interest, environmental damage and missing technical reports. A further ruling in September 2024 reaffirmed that suspension, arguing the agreement improperly favored the club.
The controversy deepened in August 2025 when it emerged that the City Council had initially valued the parking contract at €561 million before correcting it to just €6 million, a discrepancy that raised further questions about the process.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s effort to turn the renovated stadium into a major concert venue has also been met with resistance. A series of high-profile shows, including Taylor Swift’s performances in May, sparked noise complaints and led to fines totaling €2.6 million for event promoters. Authorities temporarily suspended concerts earlier this year amid resident backlash.
While the €1 billion renovation of the Bernabeu was completed in late 2024, the battle over its surrounding public space remains unresolved. Between court orders, political opposition, and neighborhood resistance, Real Madrid’s wider redevelopment project faces significant hurdles before it can be fully realized.
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