Real Madrid Football Club's stadium Santiago Bernabeu is set to undergo renovation after the club's €400 Million revamp plan has been approved according to reports from yahoo.com and Goal. The eleven time European Champions had attempted to remodel the famous football venue several times before but were not given permission by the city and the court.
The last time that the Santiago Bernabeu, which is Real Madrid's home since 1947, went through a major revamp was before the World Cup in 1982. According to the plans, the Spanish giants are planning to get a retractable roof to cover the entire arena and also a light display to cover the outside of the structure. Several other changes are also expected to be made but these two remain the major restructuring that will take at the stadium.
The total number of seats are expected to remain the same even though the seating arrangements are planned to be changed. The club's agreement with the city doesn't allow them to increase the size of the structures that are already in place.
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So, Madrid will have to rearrange the existing constructions in order remodel the stadium. Some of the offices inside the Bernabeu will have to be moved to the club's team base in Ciudad Real Madrid, which is in the outskirts of the Spanish city.
The plans for the revamp were originally released in 2014, but the city and the court were against the idea. It is now that Real Madrid is finally getting the permission to go forward with their two-year-old plan. The club doesn't want to waste any more time and the restructuring work is set to begin next year. The estimated cost for executing the whole plan is about €400 Million according to Real Madrid club president Florentino Perez.
Even though Real Madrid will have to pay a lot for the revamp of the Santiago Bernabeu, Perez believes that the club will be able to recoup almost the full amount through the stadium's naming rights. The 69-year-old Spaniard also said that the stadium will be keeping its name Bernabeu but could be adding a surname.
"We will see a dramatic transformation of the Santiago Bernabeu. This stadium is one of the emblematic icons of our city and we want to make it one of the best stadiums in the world and the undisputed symbol of the strength of our capital.”
“With this agreement, we will start a process of modernization and transformation that will convert the stadium into an avant-garde architectural icon. This stadium will act as an economic and touristic invigorator and will contribute to strengthening the image of our city", Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said when announcing the deal.
The Santiago Bernabeu is already one of the largest and most iconic football stadiums in the world, and this revamp will be adding to its dignity and uniqueness. The Los Blancos fans will be eager to see their home getting such a big modification.
