Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium to Host Madrid Open Practice Sessions in Historic First

The Madrid Open has received a major boost this year, with the iconic Bernabeu Stadium set to host practice sessions leading up to the tournament.

The newly renovated home of fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid will be adapted between April 23 and 30, allowing players to train and make use of the elite facilities available to them.

A Growing Hub for Cross-Sport Events

Since its renovation, the Bernabeu has become a marquee venue for cross-sport events. The National Football League has already hosted games at the stadium, while the National Basketball Association is also considering it as a potential destination for the next season.

Now, tennis joins that list. During the Madrid Open, Real Madrid will still be in season, but is scheduled to play several away matches, making it feasible for the stadium to facilitate practice sessions for the Masters event.

Real Madrid’s Longstanding Tennis Ambition

Interestingly, this collaboration has been years in the making. Real Madrid have repeatedly pushed for a crossover with tennis, with club president Florentino Perez previously floating the idea of a Fedal exhibition match at the venue. Such an event, featuring Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, would likely have broken the all-time attendance record for a tennis match, given the stadium’s capacity of over 80,000.

And although it did not ultimately materialise, the facility will now get its first taste of a tennis environment, with the opportunity for this to become a frequent tradition during the Masters tournament in Madrid a firm possibility.

The Bernabeu will welcome some of the sport’s biggest names. Players such as Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, and potentially Novak Djokovic are expected to make use of the facility. It promises to be a unique experience as players across both tours gear up for one of the key lead-up events ahead of the French Open.