Almost a year after Florentino Pérez stunned the football world by unveiling the ambitious Bernabéu Infinito project during Real Madrid’s General Assembly, the club has taken a decisive step toward turning that vision into reality.

A stadium without limits

During Wednesday’s Champions League match against Juventus, Apple will make its presence felt at the Santiago Bernabéu — the very company Pérez cited as a model for his futuristic concept. The American tech giant will install over 100 cameras throughout the stadium to conduct tests and generate data for a new immersive match-viewing technology. This marks the first phase of an initiative that could soon redefine how fans experience Real Madrid games.

Real Madrid has long embraced innovation and digital transformation. The Bernabéu Infinito concept envisions an experience that allows supporters around the world to feel as if they were sitting in the stands of the Santiago Bernabéu — through the use of advanced virtual reality headsets. Similar technologies have already been tested in the NFL, but the rapid progress of VR and artificial intelligence gives Real Madrid the chance to become a European pioneer.

Pérez has explained that the project also addresses the problem of limited seating for club members. Through this system, thousands of fans who cannot attend matches in person will still be able to enjoy the full stadium experience — visually, aurally, and emotionally — as if they were truly there.

© Real Madrid C. F.

A new revenue stream

Bernabéu Infinito is not just a technological innovation; it represents a potential new source of income. In the near future, Real Madrid could offer millions of supporters worldwide the chance to virtually attend matches, effectively creating a football version of the metaverse. Such an approach could generate revenues comparable to traditional ticket sales or season memberships.

To access this experience, fans would need Apple Vision headsets — priced at around €4,000 in Spain — along with AirPods featuring spatial audio technology (approximately €279). Together, the devices promise a fully immersive environment, both visually and acoustically.

The main obstacle remains broadcasting rights. Current regulations prevent clubs from directly monetizing VR-format match streams. However, Real Madrid could bypass these restrictions by creating its own subscription-based ecosystem — similar to the membership model of the stadium itself or streaming platforms such as Netflix, Spotify, or Apple TV+.