Football trip to Madrid

Madrid is the only city in the world with two recent Champions League winners. Real Madrid at the new Bernabéu and Atlético Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano sit on opposite sides of the city, while Rayo Vallecano offers the third La Liga option.

This guide covers Madrid football trip planning — airports, hotels, transport and how to combine matches.

Stadium information

Capacity

Bernabéu 78,297 · Metropolitano 70,460 · Rayo's Vallecas 14,708

Opened

Various

Bernabéu nights are theatre; Metropolitano matches are tribal. Rayo's Vallecas is the most intimate top-flight ground in the city.

Nearby airports

• Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez (MAD)

  13 km from the centre

Where to stay

• Centro (Sol / Gran Vía)

  Best food and nightlife; metro to all three Madrid grounds.

• Salamanca

  Upscale, walking distance to the Bernabéu, easy metro to the Metropolitano.

• La Latina / Lavapiés

  Tapas and character, short metro ride to the Bernabéu.

Tickets

Real Madrid sell single-match tickets via the official site 2-3 weeks before kick-off. Atlético and Rayo are usually more accessible to last-minute buyers.

Madrid derby (Real vs. Atlético) tickets are the hardest to secure — plan months ahead via hospitality.

Combining clubs

Real Madrid and Atlético often play at home in the same weekend; pair them when the calendar allows. Rayo offers a Friday-night third option in a more local atmosphere.

If your trip lands on a Champions League week, you can also catch midweek European nights at either club.

Beyond football

Madrid's centre is dense with food and culture — Prado, Reina Sofía, Mercado de San Miguel, Plaza Mayor — and the city eats late, perfect for after evening kick-offs.

Public transport is cheap and reliable; the metro runs until 1:30 am and taxis are affordable.

FAQs

Related guides

• Real Madrid
• Atlético Madrid
• Santiago Bernabéu
• La Liga