Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano – stadium description

Where was Real Madrid's second stadium built?

In 2005, in the new district of Valdebebas, located on the north-eastern outskirts of the Spanish capital, near Madrid-Barajas airport, Real Madrid's new training complex, the so-called Ciudad Real Madrid, was opened. The new compound replaced Real's old centre, Ciudad Deportiva, which existed between 1963 and 2004 (it was located near Madrid Chamartín train station).

On 9th May 2006, Real Madrid's second stadium was opened on the site of the new complex, to be used primarily by the club's reserve team (Real Madrid Castilla), as well as Real's lower division teams and youth squads. For the inauguration, Real faced Stade de Reims in a friendly match (6:1). The choice of rival was not accidental, as Real played against this team in the first European Cup final in 1956.

Whose name is Real Madrid's reserve team stadium named after?

The new facility has been named after one of Real Madrid's legendary footballers, Alfredo Di Stéfano. Born in Buenos Aires, the striker was considered one of the best players of his time. During his time with Real (1953-1964), he triumphed five times with the club in the European Cup and won eight Spanish league titles. He was also Real's coach in the 1980s and 1990s and has served as honorary president since 2000. A statue of Alfredo Di Stéfano by Pedro Montes is situated next to the stadium, unveiled on 17th February 2007.

What does the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano look like?

The stadium has two gently curved stands, situated along the length of the pitch, on either side of it. The larger, main stand is located on the west side. It can hold 4,000 spectators and is partially roofed. It has space for the press and commentators. The stand on the opposite side has a capacity of 2000. There are no seats behind the goals, but earth banks have been built up there, which gives the pitch the impression of being set in a small basin and the structure has the character of a coherent, closed architectural form. The stadium is equipped, among other things, with floodlights and a heated pitch. Expansion of the facility is possible in the future.

What else is there in the Real Madrid training complex?

The compound, within which the stadium is situated, has a number of training pitches, as well as an indoor sports arena and buildings which house offices, medical and rehabilitation facilities, wellness, training rooms, gyms and player accommodation. The centre covers an area of 120 ha. It can be reached, among others, by the Madrid Metro, a station of which is located next to the complex.

When did Real's first team play at Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano?

In March 2020, LaLiga games were interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When matches resumed in June 2020, Real Madrid's first team temporarily moved to its back-up venue, making the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, which was being rebuilt, fully accessible to construction crews (due to anti-epidemic restrictions, matches were played without spectators anyway).

Real played their matches at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano until the end of the 2019/20 season, in which they won the national championship, and throughout the following 2020/21 season, when the royals claimed the Spain runner-up spot, although the title battle with Atlético Madrid lasted until the final league round. Champions League matches were also played at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stéfano during this period, and in September and October 2020 the Spanish national team played two Nations League matches there. At the start of the 2021/22 season Real returned to their home ground, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.