The comprehensive renovation of the Santiago Bernabéu Metro station in Madrid has surpassed the 70% completion mark, signaling the final phase of a massive €66 million infrastructure project. According to regional transit officials, the overhaul is on track for completion in the first quarter of 2027, a timeline intentionally aligned with the 80th anniversary of the legendary Santiago Bernabéu stadium and the 125th anniversary of the Real Madrid football club.
Once completed, the station will undergo a symbolic name change, becoming officially known as simply “Bernabéu.” The project is dramatically expanding the footprint of the Line 10 hub, tripling its total surface area from 4,843 square meters to more than 12,400 square meters. This massive expansion is designed to resolve chronic congestion issues, particularly on match days and during major events at the stadium, which can draw tens of thousands of travelers simultaneously.
The project has recently transitioned from heavy civil engineering to internal finishing. Workers have completed the demolition of the old station’s cavern and integrated it into a new, open-concept design. This structural shift replaces traditional narrow corridors with a sprawling main lobby that offers commuters a direct view of the intermediate levels and the train platforms. This visual connectivity is intended to streamline foot traffic and help passengers navigate the multi-level facility more intuitively.
Carlos Zorita, head of the Infrastructure and Stations Service for the Metro, confirmed that the intermediate levels have been completed. Crews are currently focused on finishing the galleries that connect these intermediate levels to the platforms. Following the completion of these galleries, the project will move into its final outfitting phase, which includes the installation of lighting, communications systems, and electromechanical equipment, alongside the placement of final wall coverings.
Accessibility is a cornerstone of the redesign, with the station set to become 100% accessible to individuals with reduced mobility. The infrastructure plan includes the installation of 12 panoramic elevators and 24 escalators connecting the street level directly to the platforms. Four of these elevators have already been installed as part of the street-to-lobby connection. The new facility will also feature latest-generation ticket turnstiles and vending machines, maintaining a high-tech aesthetic while featuring thematic elements dedicated to the history and successes of Real Madrid.
For local commuters, the project’s progress brings news of a partial return to normalcy. Line 10 service between Nuevos Ministerios and Cuzco has been suspended since March 28 to accommodate the most invasive phases of construction. Officials expect train service to resume through this section by late December. However, while trains will begin running through the tunnels again, they will not initially stop at Bernabéu; the station itself will remain closed to the public until the full renovation is finished in 2027. Until the December resumption, a free shuttle bus service will continue to operate every three to five minutes, connecting affected passengers to Plaza de Castilla.
The scale of the renovation reflects the station’s heavy usage. Data from Metro officials indicates that the station recorded nearly four million entries during 2025, with peak days exceeding 34,000 travelers during high-attendance events. The modernization is being coordinated through a protocol signed between the Metro and Real Madrid CF, ensuring the transit hub integrates seamlessly with the surrounding financial district of Azca and the stadium’s own recent renovations. The station, which originally opened in 1982 under the name “Lima” before being renamed in 1998, will feature two dedicated entrances for the stadium and a separate new access point for the Azca business zone.
