There are a lot of changes happening at Real Madrid right now. A new coach, a new playing style, and a fully renovated stadium that looks more futuristic than ever, and now the Santiago Bernabeu has a new name. Well, almost.
Real Madrid Renames the Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid’s iconic home, known for decades as the Santiago Bernabeu, has quietly been rebranded as just “Bernabeu” in new corporate imaging.
The change comes ahead of a landmark moment this weekend, when the stadium hosts its first-ever NFL game. The Washington Commanders will face the Miami Dolphins, marking the first time the NFL has ever been played on Spanish soil.
🔝 ¡El Bernabéu, un escenario universal! pic.twitter.com/V7kTbUtOyV
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 12, 2025
In preparation for the event, the stadium has received a complete visual makeover. Massive banners have been placed around the venue featuring the NFL logo, the two teams involved, and the event tagline “Únete al Show,” which translates to “Join the Show.”
But what caught fans’ attention most was the updated logo now displayed around the stadium. The new design simply reads “Bernabeu”, placed below a modern illustration of the stadium’s exterior.
According to AS, this is part of a broader corporate shift by Real Madrid. The word “Santiago” has been dropped from the logo to make the branding “shorter and more impactful.”
Interestingly, this wasn’t a sudden decision. The rebrand had been hinted at last year, and in fact, Real Madrid have been gradually implementing this new identity for some time, from updates on their official website to subtle signage changes around the stadium.
The simplified “Bernabeu” identity will now represent all non-football events hosted at the stadium. That includes concerts, festivals, and global showcases, with the next big one being a Christmas festival scheduled between December 24 and 31.
From a marketing standpoint, it’s a smart move. The rebrand aligns with the club’s vision for the new Bernabeu not just as a football ground, but as a global entertainment hub.
For now, Real Madrid has no plans to attach a sponsor to the stadium name. But given the commercial potential, it feels more like a question of when, not if.
And while many Madridistas hate the idea of losing the word “Santiago,” it’s hard to ignore the direction football is heading. The Bernabeu isn’t just Real Madrid’s home anymore; it’s becoming the centerpiece of modern sports business.
