Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Estadio Santiago Bernabéu | |
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| El Bernabéu | |
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| Location | Avenida de Concha Espina 1, E28036 - Madrid |
| Opened | December 14, 1947 |
| Owner | Real Madrid |
| Operator | Real Madrid |
| Surface | Grass |
| Architect | Manuel Muñoz Monasterio Luis Alemany Soler Antonio Lamela (Expansion) |
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The Santiago Bernabéu is a football stadium in Madrid, Spain. It is the home of Real Madrid. Work on the grounds started on October 27, 1944. Originally called Estadio Chamartín after Madrid's previous stadium, it was inaugurated in December 1947. Real Madrid officially adopted the present name, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, on January 4, 1955 in honor of the club president Santiago Bernabéu.
The capacity has changed frequently, peaking at 120,000 after a 1953 expansion. Since then there have been a number of reductions due to modernisations (the last standing places went away in 1998/99 in response to UEFA regulations which forbids standing at matches in the UEFA competition), countered to some extent by expansions. The last change was an increase of about five thousand to a capacity of 80,354, effected in 2003. A plan to add a retractable roof has been announced.
The Bernabéu is one of the world's most famous football venues, along with a handful of others, such as the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Old Trafford in Manchester, Wembley in London, Azteca in Mexico, San Siro in Milano, Centenario Stadium in Montevideo or the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. Alongside the Munich Olympic Stadium and the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, it has the proud record of having hosted the European Cup final (in 1957, 1969 and 1980), the 1964 European Championship final (1964), and the FIFA World Cup final (1982).
The stadium has its own Madrid Metro station along the 10 line called Santiago Bernabéu. Its location, in the heart of Madrid's business district, is quite unusual for a football stadium. It is also used on occasion to stage concerts, though because of its size this does not happen often.
The stadium is so large, Real employ two falcons (named Zidane and Figo after the famous players) to ward off pigeons!
[edit] Facts
- Capacity: 80,354
- Pitch
- Inauguration
- December 14, 1947
- First match: Real Madrid vs. Os Belenenses (Portugal)
- Address: Concha Espina 1, E28036 Madrid
[edit] External links
- History of the stadium
- Santiago Bernabéu stadium at Google Maps
- Estadio Santiago Bernabeu Facts and photos
| Preceded by: Parc des Princes Paris |
European Cup Final Venue 1957 |
Succeeded by: Heysel Stadium Brussels |
| Preceded by: Wembley Stadium London |
European Cup Final Venue 1969 |
Succeeded by: San Siro Milan |
| Preceded by: Olympiastadion Munich |
European Cup Final Venue 1980 |
Succeeded by: Parc des Princes Paris |
| Preceded by: Monumental de Nuñez Buenos Aires |
FIFA World Cup Final Venue 1982 |
Succeeded by: Estadio Azteca México City |
