According to the Spanish publication MARCA, Real Madrid is considering rebranding its iconic stadium, the Santiago Bernabeu. The club plans to drop the “Santiago” and simply refer to the venue as “The Bernabeu” moving forward. This change is reportedly being made for commercial and marketing purposes.
The stadium has carried the name Santiago Bernabeu since January 4, 1955, in honor of the club’s former president. The club has yet to make an official statement regarding the potential name change. The Santiago Bernabeu was originally named after the legendary Real Madrid forward, who went on to serve as the club’s president for more than 34 years.
The alteration has been evident across various platforms, including marketing materials for the Bernabéu Tour, the stadium’s official website, and its social media profiles, all of which now exclude the name “Santiago.” Similarly, merchandise such as stadium models sold in the official store and gifts distributed during Real Madrid’s holiday events now display only the name “Bernabéu.”
🚨 BREAKING: Real Madrid have decided to change the name of their stadium:
‘Santiago’ will be removed, it will be called ‘The Bernabéu’. @marca pic.twitter.com/SB7seTSBCd
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) December 26, 2024
Tests for displaying the stadium’s name on its exterior have also showcased just “Bernabéu.” Reports from Marca suggest this initiative aims to present a more modern and simplified identity for commercial appeal. However, it remains uncertain whether this move might evolve into a sponsorship-related renaming. Any permanent name change or a sponsorship deal would require approval from the Assembly of Members, a step that has yet to be initiated.
The newly renovated Bernabéu boasts state-of-the-art facilities, featuring up to eight versatile event spaces, including the pitch, VIP boxes, press rooms, and mix zones. Equipped with advanced technology like 360-degree scoreboards and the option for appearances by Real Madrid legends, the stadium is perfectly designed to host conferences, parties, and customized events tailored to clients’ needs.
On the field, Real Madrid concluded their 2024 campaign with a 4-2 La Liga victory over Sevilla at home. Carlo Ancelotti’s team will return to action on January 3, facing Valencia at the Mestalla. They currently sit second in La Liga with 40 points from 18 games, just one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
However, their form in the UEFA Champions League has been less than stellar, with just three wins out of six group-stage matches, alongside three losses. As a result, they find themselves in 20th place in the standings of the competition’s new format.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
