Real Madrid and Madrid City Council have reached an agreement over the €400M ($442M) renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium -- with the club "accepting a court decision and modifying the construction plans" now set to begin in '17, according to Dermot Corrigan of ESPN.com. Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez first announced a rebuild of the stadium back in '04, with a "major step made" in Oct. '14 when he detailed a €400M partnership with Abu Dhabi-based IPIC (Int'l Petroleum Investment Company) to finance an "expansive project which included a futuristic silver skin, a retractable roof, luxury hotel and new retail area." This plan, however, was "challenged by the local council and blocked by the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Madrid." Following months of discussions, "a new amended version of the development has been agreed -- which will still include the roof, and may also feature a hotel, but will retain the current footprint of the structure." Pérez said that a "consensus had been found with the local authorities to move on from the court's objections to the project." Pérez: "Today is a very important day for Real Madrid, its socios, fans and also for our city. I want to thank the mayor and all the others responsible within the town hall and government who have made possible this agreement we are presenting today." Pérez said that the "approximate cost of the rebuild remained the same as before," and once the official permits were secured work could begin next year. He "confirmed previous reports" that the Bernabéu would now get a "surname" paid for by a commercial partner, saying such sponsorship "was standard now in football and would not change how the stadium was referred to in practice." The idea of "including new shopping space or a luxury hotel within the stadium had not been completely forgotten," Pérez said. He added, "The Real Madrid offices can move to [our training ground at] Valdebebas, freeing up 8,000 square meters. There is also 10,000 square meters in the [current] commercial center. And 5,000 meters squared not now used." Pérez "appeared to confirm that no vote would be required" at the annual members' meeting on Oct. 23 for the stadium rebuild project to progress or for the Bernabéu's new "surname" to be accepted (ESPN.com, 10/11).
MORE SPACE FOR ADS: In London, Pete Jenson reported Pérez said that over 4 million people "visit the ground every year," and when the three-year job is complete the stadium will light up the Chamartín district of Madrid with light images rolling 24-7 on the stadium’s LED covering. The "current 81,000 capacity will not be increased" but Pérez said that there would be 3,000 new seats replacing old seating. The new roof "will keep the rain out although that will not be its principal advantage." A "soft-top stadium" offers more space for advertising -- and is a potential home for the eventual stadium sponsor’s name. For work to begin in '17, as is hoped, "the latest proposal needs to sail through the formality of not being opposed by local residents." Pérez, "who has made his fortune in construction, confirmed his company ACS would not be part of the bidding process" (DAILY MAIL, 10/11). In Madrid, Pablo Polo reported after "bureaucratic and legal blockages," a deal between Real Madrid and the city council has "finally been struck" to allow the stadium to "get a very 21st century makeover." Local residents "will benefit, too, with the new design providing a noise reduction on matchdays while the Plaza de los Sagrados Corazones will also be spruced up." On the opposite side, the Paseo de la Castellana "will remain as public space without any reduction in size," serving as the area immediately before the entrance (MARCA, 10/11).
BY THE NUMBERS: MUNDO DEPORTIVO reported Barcelona and Real Madrid "are looking to the future with optimism." Below are some highlights of the plans for the teams' new stadiums.
CAMP NOU:
- Capacity of 105,000
- New and improved entrances
- Covered seats
- 4 videoboards
- Internal and external LED lighting
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cost of €390M ($431M)
SANTIAGO BERNABÉU:
- Capacity of 85,000
- New entrances
- Covered seats with a retractable roof
- 360-degree videoboard
- New exterior "skin"
- Free Wi-Fi
- Cost of €400M (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 10/11).
