Post by gmp von Gerkan, Marg and Partners Architects

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 - Canada, Mexico and the United States enters its final phase, we’re looking ahead to what’s next. The FIFA World Cup 2030 will be hosted across Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, with the final set to take place at one of football’s most iconic venues: the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. Home to Real Madrid FC since 1947, the stadium has evolved continuously throughout the decades. Most recently, it underwent a comprehensive transformation. Developed in collaboration with L35 Architects and Ribas & Ribas Architects, the renovation converted the Bernabéu from a football venue into a contemporary multipurpose arena. While a significant proportion of the existing structure was preserved, a new envelope of curved stainless-steel louvers unifies the stadium's previously fragmented architecture, giving it a distinctive new identity within Madrid’s urban landscape. Yet the most significant changes are found behind the facade. Modern stadiums are no longer designed solely for football. This transformation also strengthens their role as public destination. New restaurants including a microbrewery, retail spaces, and the Real Madrid Museum attract visitors beyond matchdays. Meanwhile the Skywalk opens the stadium to the public, offering new perspectives on both the venue and the city. New public spaces surrounding the stadium improve accessibility and create pedestrian-friendly areas that connect the building to the cityscape. The renewed Bernabéu reflects a broader shift in stadium architecture: Today’s sports venues are no longer isolated event structures. They are becoming year-round destinations, and places of collective identity. Video: Lukas Schmid #Sportarchitektur #Sportbauten #SportArchitecture #FIFAWorldCup #WeAre26 #WorldCup2026

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