Bernabéu Goes Clay: Madrid Open Stars To Train At Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

According to Ireporter Online, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, will temporarily convert its football pitch into a clay court in April 2026 to host practice sessions for the Madrid Open.

Organisers confirmed that the iconic venue will provide private training opportunities for top players, including Spanish world number one Carlos Alcaraz, ahead of the combined ATP and WTA event. The clay surface is designed to mimic conditions at the tournament’s main site, Caja Mágica, which will host matches from 20 April to 3 May.

Players will be able to book practice sessions at the Bernabéu from 23 to 30 April. These sessions will remain closed to the public, and no official matches will take place on the temporary court.

“Bringing a clay court to one of the world’s most iconic venues creates a unique meeting point between the tradition of tennis and the universal appeal of a stage that continues to surprise with new experiences,” the organisers said.

The initiative is feasible because Real Madrid has no domestic fixtures scheduled during that period. However, the club may still be involved in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals on 28 or 29 April, depending on their result against Bayern Munich. Should they advance to face either Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain, the first leg would be played away from home.