Real Madrid set to transform Santiago Bernabeu from football fortress into tennis arena for Madrid Open spectacle

Madrid Open, an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournament, is scheduled to begin on April 22.

Updated on: Mar 26, 2026, 08:48:18 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Real Madrid’s iconic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is set for a temporary transformation, as the football venue will double up as a hub of practice courts for the upcoming Madrid Open. The clay-court event, an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournament, is scheduled to begin on April 22.

Santiago Bernabeu to turn into a practice hub for Madrid Open

According to a report in The New York Times, the Bernabéu will serve as a training venue for players during the tournament. The decision is largely driven by the stadium’s close proximity to the players’ hotel, making it a convenient option for tennis stars. It also aligns well with Real Madrid’s schedule, as the club will be away from home for much of that period.

The transformation is made possible by the stadium’s state-of-the-art retractable pitch, a standout feature of its $1 billion renovation completed in 2023. The system allows the playing surface to be divided into six sections and stored underground in a controlled environment. While the grass is preserved below, the surface above can be repurposed, in this case into clay practice courts for the Madrid Open participants.

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Another key factor behind the decision is Real Madrid’s fixture list during that window. The club is scheduled to play multiple away matches between late April and early May, including fixtures against Real Betis, Espanyol, and FC Barcelona. Even a potential UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg, slated for April 28 or 29, would not interfere, as it would also be played away from home.

A report in Marca added that the conversion work will begin immediately after Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Deportivo Alavés on April 21.

This is not the first time the Bernabéu has hosted non-football events. The stadium staged an NFL game and a concert by Taylor Swift in 2024. Moreover, club president Florentino Pérez had long envisioned hosting an exhibition tennis match between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, a plan that ultimately never materialised due to injuries and scheduling constraints.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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