10 Best Football Stadiums and Matches to Watch in Madrid

Madrid's football stadiums are a sanctuary for fans and home to some of the most important clubs in Spanish football. If you want to take advantage of the best things to do in Madrid you can't miss a tour of their facilities. Specifically, in the capital you can visit the inside of the biggest and most emblematic ones: the Santiago Bernabéu and the Atlético Stadium. This way, you will learn about their history and you will be able to see their trophies up close.

Another way to live this experience, especially in the stadiums that do not offer tours, is to attend a match. The capital is a fairly complete football enclave, as it has 5 teams that participate in La Liga and other competitions of international relevance. I share with you the most important matches and stadiums!

Football fans cannot miss a visit to the Santiago Bernabéu to discover the home of Real Madrid CF. This is where the most exciting matches come to life and even unforgettable concerts have taken place. During a visit you will have 45 minutes to discover all the stories of the stadium and enter the places reserved for the players.

The only way to get to know the stadium is to book a guided tour of the stadium, as it is not possible to do it on your own. This way, you will have access to the dressing rooms, dressing rooms and press room. In addition, part of the entertainment includes walking around the pitch. And if you visit Madrid with children, you can take advantage of its playroom, where the little ones will have a great time.

A tour of the Santiago Bernabéu also allows you to enter the Real Madrid Museum, one of the best football museums in the city. Take the opportunity to see a 21st century model of the stadium, as well as the trophies and old shirts.

Interesting details

• Price: from €35 per person.

• Opening hours: The stadium is open every day. This type of tour usually takes place between 9:00 and 19:00, with times every half hour and when there are no matches scheduled.

• Location: Av. de Concha Espina 1, on Paseo de la Castellana.

• How to get there: you can use metro line 10 and get off at Santiago Bernabéu station or take the bus that leaves you right in front of it.

• What's usually included: The single tour usually offers 45 minutes skip-the-line access to the museum, the stadium rooms and the official shop. If you plan to book a private tour of the stadium, you can enjoy a premium experience that lasts longer, is personalised and includes transfers.

The Real Madrid CF match season is a highly anticipated event in the city. They are held at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and, although it seats over 80,000 spectators, tickets are highly sought after and sell out quickly.

If you plan to visit Madrid in August you can take advantage of the early season, when they are cheaper and less crowded. The best seats are in the VIP area, lower and central stands.

Generally, two competitions are organised almost at the same time. Therefore, most of the year there is an opportunity to enjoy a match, here are the dates:

• La Liga: it is a national championship played between 20 Spanish teams. It takes place from August to May
• UEFA Champions League: it is a tournament that takes place between the most important sports clubs in Europe. If the club qualifies all the stages you can get matches from September to May.

Interesting details

• Price: from €165 per person, price varies according to the type of seats selected.
• When: La Liga from August to May and UEFA Champions League from September to May.
• Best months to buy tickets: August, January and on dates that coincide with important matches or finals.

The Estadio Atletico or Wanda Metropolitano is a very interesting stadium and the home of Atletico CF. Inside you will see the changing rooms, the players' tunnel and discover the history of the club. In this experience you will explore each area, which is usually restricted on match days. In addition, you can enjoy interactive experiences, as they use virtual reality to make you feel like a player.

You will have access to the Atletico Museum where there are historical objects such as photographs, shirts and trophies. Unlike the Bernabeu, this stadium can be visited on your own when you buy tickets for the Atletico Stadium However, booking a tour of the Atletico Stadium is ideal to visit it at your own pace with a specialised guide.

If you want to save a little you can take advantage of the fact that the experience is often included in some of Madrid's tourist cards.

Interesting details

• Price: from 40 € per person.

• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 18:00.

• Location: in the northeast of Madrid, specifically in the Canillejas neighbourhood.

• How to get there: you can take metro line 7 to Estadio Metropolitano station.

Atletico CF is a football team based at the Atletico Stadium. If you are visiting Madrid you can't miss a match, as they play in La Liga and UEFA Champions League, just like Real Madrid.

You should know that both teams are great rivals and when they play against each other the city turns upside down, in fact their matches are known as the Madrid derby. For these matches it is important to get tickets in advance or a good seat in the best bars.

In general, Atletico's matches attract a lot of locals and tourists, as they are exciting and fun. Each game seats up to 86,000 spectators and is usually a sell-out. If you are visiting Madrid in September you can take advantage of the fact that there are fewer tourists and tickets are more affordable.

Interesting details

• Price: from 92 € per person. If you buy them in advance and online you can get better prices.
• When: La Liga from August to May and UEFA Champions League from September to May.
• Best months to buy tickets: August, September and January.

The Coliseum Alfonso Pérez is one of the smallest stadiums in Madrid and has a capacity for 16.000 spectators. Getafe CF plays its matches here and it is easier to get tickets compared to other venues. It was built in honour of a former club player and is not open to guided tours, but its façade is worth seeing.

The only way to see its pitch and facilities is to attend a Getafe CF football match or other occasional sporting events, festivals and concerts.

Details of interest

• Location: Avenida Teresa de Calcuta.

• How to get there: connects to metro line 12 and the nearest station is El Casar.

Attending a Getafe CF match can be a great plan for those who want to experience Madrid football from a more local perspective. Away from the tourist hype you'll find a vibrant atmosphere with Spanish slogans - but don't get complacent! They take place in the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium which is quite limited and sells out almost from the beginning of the season.

If you plan to be in Madrid for at least 3 days and you are a football fan, this is a plan not to be missed. Buy tickets in advance and consider that they participate in La Liga along with other Spanish teams. They also play in the Copa del Rey, but the dates vary every year.

Interesting details

• Price: from €30 per person, prices vary depending on the area.
• When: They play in La Liga from August to May and in the Copa del Rey, the dates of which vary.
• Best months to buy tickets: August, December and January.

The Estadio de Vallecas is another place of interest for football fans. Rayo Vallecano play here, a team that sells out quickly. The main attraction of this place is the matches, as you can't visit it on your own. Although if you are interested in buying team souvenirs you can stop by the official shop, located nearby.

This place is generally dedicated to the passion for Madrid football, but it is also used as the finish line for the international San Silvestre Vallecana race, an athletics event held in Madrid every December 31st, which dates back to 1964. It attracts at least 42,000 participants and is considered one of the most important marathons in Spain.

Another interesting fact is that the current stadium was built in 1973 on the foundations of the old Puente de Vallecas Stadium, the home of the now defunct Racing Club de Madrid.

Interesting details

• Opening hours: The official shop is open Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 14:00.

• Location: Calle Payaso Fofó.

• How to get there: near Portazgo metro station on line 1.

Rayo Vallecano is another local team that plays in La Liga and participates in competitions such as the Copa del Rey. Their matches are held at the Estadio Vallecano which seats around 14,700 people and tickets sell out fairly quickly. Consider that, being a smaller stadium, you will have privileged views from any position, although the VIP and central stand are more comfortable.

They sometimes have matches against the most highly rated teams, such as Real Madrid CF and Atletico CF. In general, I think a Rayo Vallecano match is a great plan, especially if you want to enjoy Madrid at night, as most matches take place at 21:00.

Interesting details

• Price: you can get tickets for around 50 € per person.
• When: they play mainly on weekends from August to May.
• Best months to buy tickets: September, October and April, as there are fewer fans and pleasant weather.

The Estadio Municipal de Butarque is another sporting attraction in Madrid, although a little more discreet than the other stadiums. It is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet game and with a good chance of getting tickets. It seats over 12,000 people and is home to CD Leganés.

The history of the stadium will surely be of interest to you, especially if you consider yourself a football fan. To find out more about it you can sign up for a personalised private tour of Madrid to discover its facade in detail.

It is not possible to enter the facilities with a tour, but you can learn a little about the club and the stadium. The stadium is named after Nuestra Señora de Butarque, the patron saint of Leganés.

Interesting details

• Price: The personalised private tour costs approximately €49, but it is important that you inform the guide in advance if you wish to make a stop here.

• Location: in the Leganés district.

• How to get there: you can take metro line 12 and get off at San Nicasio station or take the Renfe Cercanías to Zarzaquemada.

One of the best tickets in Madrid is the one that allows you to enjoy the passion of football at a CD Leganés match. This team fills its stands with blue and white, the club's characteristic colours, and plays in La Liga from August to May.

Here you can enjoy exciting matches against Getafe CF, the team that has been their main rival since 1946. In fact, it is known as the derby of southern Madrid. Of course, it is also easier to take advantage of a CD Leganés match against Real Madrid CF or Atlético CF, as they are teams that play in the same league and are considered classics of Spanish football.

Interesting details

• Price: from €75 per person.
• When: they play in La Liga from August to May.
• Best months to buy tickets: between August and January, but offers are usually launched between June and July.

If you are a football fan, I recommend you enrich your holiday in Madrid with a visit to its most emblematic stadiums and attending matches of the main clubs. Here are a couple of recommendations to make your experience more enjoyable.

Tips for visiting stadiums in Madrid

If you plan to spend at least 5 days in Madrid you can't miss a visit inside its most emblematic stadiums. As I mentioned, you can only enter two of them: the Santiago Bernabéu and the Estado Atlético. Here are some recommendations for you to make the most of your visit.

• Be punctual: it is important to arrive half an hour early, as these types of experiences are usually quite punctual.
• Consider a private tour: private tours of Madrid allow you to personalise your itineraries and get to know a different side of the city. As such, they are a great way to delve into the history and secrets of the capital's main stadiums and football clubs.
• Wear comfortable clothes: these types of experiences last one to two hours, so make sure you wear comfortable trainers and cool clothes.

All other stadiums have virtual tours or access to certain areas during matches.

Tips for attending football matches in Madrid

Football matches are one of the most anticipated events and you can enjoy different options throughout the year. The most popular competition is La Liga which, as I mentioned, takes place from August to May. If you plan to be in Madrid for 4 days or a bit more, you can't miss this great plan and follow these tips.

• Buy tickets in advance: secure your experience and buy tickets months in advance, especially for the most important matches.
• Check the calendar: before selecting a match, make sure that the date coincides with good weather and does not interfere with the rest of your activities in Madrid.
• Choose your seats: if you're a fan you'll probably want the best seats, so make sure you choose those that are centred or diagonal, as they tend to offer the best views.