View photosSantiago Bernabéu Seating Plan
Your seating guide: where to sit & the best seats
“El Bernabéu”
Santiago Bernabéu in photos
10 outside · 1 inside the venue
Where to sit at Santiago Bernabéu
The best seats at Santiago Bernabéu are Central Lateral Este or Oeste, lower or middle tier, between the boxes for the view. For value, choose Upper Lateral central blocks, front rows. For atmosphere, head to Fondo Sur lower (grada de animación). Avoid Last rows of the top tier (gallinero). Santiago Bernabéu seats 83,000, home of Real Madrid.
Central Lateral Este or Oeste, lower or middle tier, between the boxes
Halfway-line blocks with perfect elevation — the reference view of Real Madrid.
Full detail Best valueUpper Lateral central blocks, front rows
The steep stacking means front-row upper seats still feel connected to the game at a fraction of lower-tier prices.
Full detail Best atmosphereFondo Sur lower (grada de animación)
The organised supporters’ section: constant singing, flags and standing.
Full detail Where to avoidLast rows of the top tier (gallinero)
Extremely high; the steep rake keeps sightlines clear but the pitch is distant and the climb is real.
Full detailAbout Santiago Bernabéu
The renovated Santiago Bernabéu, home of Real Madrid, holds around 83,000 under a futuristic wrap-around skin with a retractable roof, a retractable pitch and a 360° videoboard ringing the bowl. The stadium is famously vertical: five-plus levels stacked steeply, so even upper seats feel on top of the play — but the top tiers are genuinely high. Best views are the central Lateral Este and Oeste (sideline) blocks on the lower and middle tiers; the Fondos (goal ends) are cheaper and house the animation section in the south. It sits on the Paseo de la Castellana with its own metro stop.
Recently transformed with a curved, wraparound metallic façade, a retractable roof and a retractable under-pitch storage system, seating around 78,000-85,000. It is now one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world.
Seating plan & map
This is the map used for ticket sales at Santiago Bernabéu. Exact configuration varies by event.
How the venue is set up
Football — La Liga / Champions League
Standard configuration. The retractable roof closes for weather and atmosphere; the natural pitch is stored beneath the stadium and installed for football.
Major events (NFL, boxing, other sports)
With the pitch retracted, the floor hosts other sports and events; field-level sightlines change per event and the videoboard remains in use.
Concerts
Large shows have used an end-stage over the event floor. Note: concert scheduling has been restricted at times due to neighbourhood noise agreements — check the official calendar rather than assuming tour dates.
Seating levels explained
Grada Baja (Lower Tier)Lowest ring
Closest ring to the pitch; sideline blocks here are premium.
Pros: Immersive, detail-rich view; central lower Lateral is elite.
Cons: Priciest general seating; front rows are flat to the far touchline.
Grada Media (Middle Tiers)Second and third rings
The stacked middle rings offer the classic balanced view.
Pros: Excellent height-to-distance ratio; central blocks rival anything in Europe.
Cons: Central middle blocks sell fast and price high.
Grada Alta / Upper TiersFourth ring and above
The famously steep upper decks ('the gallinero' at the very top).
Pros: Cheapest seats; the steep stacking keeps you surprisingly over the pitch for the height; full-bowl views of the videoboard.
Cons: Very high with a steep climb; vertigo-prone visitors should stay lower; the ball reads small from the last rows.
Best seats at Santiago Bernabéu
Best overall
Central Lateral Este or Oeste, lower or middle tier, between the boxes
Halfway-line blocks with perfect elevation — the reference view of Real Madrid.
Best value
Upper Lateral central blocks, front rows
The steep stacking means front-row upper seats still feel connected to the game at a fraction of lower-tier prices.
Atmosphere
Fondo Sur lower (grada de animación)
The organised supporters’ section: constant singing, flags and standing.
Spectacle / first visit
Middle tier corner blocks
You take in the whole bowl, the wrap-around videoboard and the roof — the full renovated-Bernabéu experience.
| For | Sections | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Central Lateral Este or Oeste, lower or middle tier, between the boxes | Halfway-line blocks with perfect elevation — the reference view of Real Madrid. |
| Best value | Upper Lateral central blocks, front rows | The steep stacking means front-row upper seats still feel connected to the game at a fraction of lower-tier prices. |
| Atmosphere | Fondo Sur lower (grada de animación) | The organised supporters’ section: constant singing, flags and standing. |
| Spectacle / first visit | Middle tier corner blocks | You take in the whole bowl, the wrap-around videoboard and the roof — the full renovated-Bernabéu experience. |
Seats to avoid & obstructed views
Last rows of the top tier (gallinero): Extremely high; the steep rake keeps sightlines clear but the pitch is distant and the climb is real.
Lower Fondo front rows: Low, end-on view behind the goal; the far end is hard to follow.
Seats directly behind an end-stage at concerts/events: Not sold or heavily restricted depending on production.
Accessibility & companion seating
The renovation modernised accessibility throughout: lifts to all levels, wheelchair and companion platforms on multiple tiers, adapted toilets and services. Book via Real Madrid’s official accessible-ticketing in advance.
Where: Accessible platforms distributed across tiers and price levels with companion seats.
Food & drink at Santiago Bernabéu
The renovated Bernabéu treats food and drink as a destination in its own right, with restaurant spaces around the stadium perimeter and the 3,000-square-metre Bernabéu Market food hall housing around 25 outlets, cocktail bars and gourmet shops. Fixtures include the pitch-view Puerta 57, modern Spanish restaurant Arzábal Bernabéu, the Plaza Mahou brewery — the first inside a Spanish stadium — and a two-floor flagship Starbucks.
On match days Bernabéu Market closes to the public from two hours before kick-off until an hour after the final whistle, when it serves VIP guests only.
Worth seeking out
- Bernabéu Market food hall with around 25 outlets
- Puerta 57 restaurant with pitch views
- Plaza Mahou — Spain's first stadium brewery
- Arzábal Bernabéu modern Spanish dining
- Two-floor flagship Starbucks
Book with Event Escapes
Going to Santiago Bernabéu? Tickets & hotels, sorted
The guide tells you where to sit — this is where you book it. Live-priced tickets and stays near the venue, all on Event Escapes.
Tickets — upcoming at Santiago Bernabéu
Real Madrid vs Inter
Tue, 8 Sept 2026 · Champions League
Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
Sat, 12 Sept 2026 · La Liga
Shakira-Madrid, Spain
Fri, 9 Oct 2026 · Concerts
Real Madrid vs Villarreal FC
Sun, 11 Oct 2026 · La Liga
Real Madrid vs Sevilla FC
Sun, 18 Oct 2026 · La Liga
Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig
Wed, 21 Oct 2026 · Champions League
NFL International Series - Cincinnati Bengals vs Atlanta Falcons: Atlanta Falcons vs Cincinnati Bengals
Sun, 8 Nov 2026 · NFL (US Football)
Real Madrid vs Celta de Vigo
Sun, 22 Nov 2026 · La Liga
Hotels near Santiago Bernabéu
All hotels & live prices
4-starAC Hotel Aitana by Marriott
Madrid
See live prices
4-starNH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding
Madrid
See live prices
4-starThe Westin Madrid Cuzco
Madrid
See live pricesStays close to Santiago Bernabéu, with availability checked when we built this guide. Tap a hotel for live prices on your dates.
Getting there
Transport
Metro line 10 stops at Santiago Bernabéu station directly outside the ground, on the Paseo de la Castellana. Public transport is the easiest option; parking is scarce.
The area
Sits in the Chamartín district along Madrid's Castellana business avenue, surrounded by offices, hotels and the Azca commercial zone.
Santiago Bernabéu · Madrid, Spain
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bernabéu’s capacity after the renovation?
Around 83,000. The rebuild wrapped the historic bowl in a new skin, added a retractable roof and pitch, and a 360° videoboard, without fundamentally changing the steep multi-tier seating that defines the view.
Is the roof always closed?
No — it is retractable and closes for weather or big-event atmosphere. All seating is protected from rain in normal use; the bowl is effectively an indoor-outdoor stadium.
Where do the loudest fans sit?
The grada de animación in the lower Fondo Sur. Buy nearby lower south blocks for the noise, or the Laterales if you prefer to watch in relative calm.
Are the top tiers really that high?
Yes — the Bernabéu is one of the most vertical stadiums in Europe. The trade-off: even high seats look straight down on the pitch, so sightlines stay clear. Vertigo-prone visitors should choose the lower or middle tiers.
Where do away fans sit?
In a segregated section high in a corner of the upper tier, as required by La Liga/UEFA.
How do I get there?
Metro Line 10 “Santiago Bernabéu” stops directly outside on the Paseo de la Castellana; the stadium is 15 minutes from the city centre.
Which seats are best for concerts at Santiago Bernabéu?
Large shows have used an end-stage over the event floor. Note: concert scheduling has been restricted at times due to neighbourhood noise agreements — check the official calendar rather than assuming tour dates.
How do section numbers work at Santiago Bernabéu?
Section numbers at Santiago Bernabéu follow the seating tiers. Grada Baja (Lower Tier): Lowest ring; Grada Media (Middle Tiers): Second and third rings; Grada Alta / Upper Tiers: Fourth ring and above.
Where should I sit at Santiago Bernabéu with kids?
With kids at Santiago Bernabéu, pick aisle seats near a concourse so exits and toilet runs are easy. Note that the Grada Alta / Upper Tiers is steep, so young children and anyone uneasy with heights are better lower down.
Where are the wheelchair-accessible seats at Santiago Bernabéu?
The renovation modernised accessibility throughout: lifts to all levels, wheelchair and companion platforms on multiple tiers, adapted toilets and services. Book via Real Madrid’s official accessible-ticketing in advance. Locations: Accessible platforms distributed across tiers and price levels with companion seats..
What are the stands at Santiago Bernabéu?
Santiago Bernabéu is made up of 3 main stands: Grada Baja (Lower Tier); Grada Media (Middle Tiers); Grada Alta / Upper Tiers.
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Seating guideAlso in Madrid
More to plan and book around Madrid, all on Event Escapes.
Sources
- Real Madrid — Tickets & Hospitality (official)
- Santiago Bernabéu — The Stadium Guide
- Santiago Bernabéu — SeatPick seating guide
Hero image: MottaW, CC BY 4.0 — via Wikimedia Commons