The exclusive Sky Bar at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium has once again become the center of major financial and legal controversy. Real Madrid CF has regained control of the luxury VIP area, although a competing takeover bid could still trigger a new legal battle over one of Europe’s most prestigious stadium hospitality spaces.

Real Madrid regains control of the Sky Bar at the Bernabéu

In recent days, Real Madrid officially announced that a commercial court in Madrid had approved an agreement between the club and the bankruptcy administration of Anastia Gourmet. The decision means the club will regain full control of the Sky Bar and the VIP area at Santiago Bernabéu.

According to the club’s statement, the settlement was accepted both by the bankruptcy trustee and the majority of creditors. The court ruled that the agreement was economically beneficial and would bring an end to the lengthy legal dispute surrounding the exclusive Bernabéu hospitality space.

Bernabéu redevelopment aimed to create a luxury VIP destination

The Sky Bar project was one of the most ambitious elements of the Santiago Bernabéu redevelopment. The modern hospitality complex was designed to occupy around 700 square meters and include two large terraces covering nearly 500 square meters. The most exclusive part of the project consisted of 199 luxury VIP seats with direct views of the pitch. Some seats were reportedly sold for as much as €20,000 per season, highlighting the financial expectations linked to the concept.

The Sky Bar was intended to become Real Madrid’s answer to the premium hospitality areas seen in NFL stadiums and modern Premier League venues. The club hoped that the renovated Bernabéu would evolve into a year-round entertainment and business destination rather than functioning solely as a football stadium.

© ROOM 1804 DESIGN | Real Madrid CF has regained control of the luxury Sky Bar at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, but the legal battle may continue after a rival €11 million takeover bid emerged.

Bankruptcy proceedings revealed the scale of the financial problems

The situation quickly became complicated after the project began. Anastia Gourmet Hostelería was unable to finance the redevelopment and furnishing of the luxury area. Court documents indicated that the total investment was expected to cost approximately €9.5 million, but the company paid only a small portion of its obligations.

The remaining funds were supposed to come from advance payments made by sponsors, suppliers, and VIP clients. That financing model ultimately proved disastrous. Large debts soon appeared toward construction firms, alcohol suppliers, and marketing partners. Among the creditors were global beverage brands such as Heineken and Schweppes. The case involving Heineken attracted particular attention after the company reportedly paid more than €1 million as part of a long-term sponsorship and promotional agreement.

According to the bankruptcy trustee, some of the signed agreements were impossible to fulfill from the beginning because Anastia’s obligations conflicted with contracts previously signed by Real Madrid itself.

The insolvency proceedings exposed widespread organizational chaos surrounding the project. The trustee estimated the company’s total debt at nearly €11 million. Documents included accusations of managing the project without secured financing and taking on obligations despite awareness of insolvency.

The bankruptcy administration concluded that Anastia’s management contributed to worsening the insolvency intentionally or through gross negligence. The trustee even requested multi-year bans on conducting business activities for those responsible for the project.

The report stated that the investment was effectively carried out without real capital, with the company attempting to finance construction entirely through advance payments from commercial partners and clients. At the same time, payments to contractors were not being made, leading to paralysis of the project and blocking the licensing process required to open the venue.

Real Madrid takes over debts linked to the Bernabéu Sky Bar

To regain control of the situation, Real Madrid opted for an extremely costly solution. The club assumed part of Anastia’s obligations toward creditors and contractors. The total value of the measures taken by the club is estimated at around €9.5 million.

Among other actions, the Madrid giants agreed to cover approximately €4.4 million in obligations toward construction companies and pay additional funds related to the investment in the venue. The club also withdrew its own legal claims against the company.

The court ruled that this solution would help limit further losses and protect creditors’ interests. At the same time, Real Madrid regained physical possession of the Sky Bar, opening the door for the luxury VIP area to be relaunched at the stadium.

© ROOM 1804 DESIGN | The Sky Bar at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium has once again become the center of financial controversy. Real Madrid CF recovered the VIP area after the collapse of Anastia Gourmet, although a competing investor is still challenging the deal.

Former ACS associate submits higher bid for the Bernabéu Sky Bar

The case continues to generate controversy because a competing offer to acquire the project has emerged. The Andorran company The Pure Green Technology Company, owned by Óscar Gómez Carpintero, reportedly offered €11 million to take over the Sky Bar. Óscar Gómez Carpintero is a former associate of the ACS Group, the company linked to Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. In the past, his relationship with ACS was connected to legal controversies, although earlier proceedings were ultimately dismissed.

The proposal was higher than the agreement approved by the court and allegedly guaranteed full repayment of all creditors without reducing liabilities. As a result, representatives of the investor filed an appeal against the court’s decision.