In 2024, Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium, following a major renovation, hosted numerous high-profile concerts, including two sold-out Taylor Swift performances attracting tens of thousands of fans. This initiative aimed to diversify the stadium’s revenue streams.

However, the concert series was abruptly halted in September after nearby residents launched legal action citing excessive noise levels.

This legal challenge continues, with prominent Spanish singer Aitana recently relocating her concert from the Bernabéu to Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium.

Enrique Martínez de Azagra, president of the residents’ association, states that the noise from concerts, particularly Taylor Swift’s, caused significant distress, impacting residents’ health through migraines, insomnia, and even heart-related issues. Measured noise levels frequently exceeded 90 decibels.

The European Environment Agency considers any sound level above 55 decibels harmful, linking prolonged exposure to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Mr. Martínez de Azagra highlights the difference between the prolonged, high-decibel noise of concerts and the relatively shorter bursts associated with football matches.

The residents, many lifelong Real Madrid supporters, have initiated legal proceedings against the club. Sports journalist Felippo Maria Ricci suggests the residents possess a strong case, given their proximity to the stadium and their established connections within the community.

The city government’s perceived reluctance to intervene is attributed to the significant economic benefits generated by concert tourism, estimated at approximately €25 million for the Taylor Swift shows alone.

The £1.1 billion stadium renovation, including a sophisticated retractable pitch system for concerts, now appears largely ineffective. Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, and AC/DC are among the artists who have opted for the Metropolitano Stadium this summer.

Real Madrid, while claiming efforts to soundproof the stadium, have not responded to requests for comment. Residents, however, remain unconvinced by the club’s attempts, citing the stadium’s open design as a significant impediment to effective soundproofing.

Residents emphasize their support for occasional concerts, but argue that the sheer volume of scheduled events – twenty per year – is unsustainable. They point to health center difficulties in obtaining accurate blood pressure readings due to concert noise, as well as the disruptive impact of daytime rehearsals and sound checks.

Luis Jordana de Pozas, a resident directly opposite the stadium, demonstrates how recent stadium modifications have amplified the noise, and displays recordings of the disruptive sound levels. Protest banners reading “conciertos no” (no concerts) and “ruído no” (no noise) adorn the buildings surrounding the Bernabéu.

Pending the court’s decision, the concert activity at the Santiago Bernabéu remains suspended.

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In 2024, Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium, following a major renovation, hosted numerous large-scale concerts, including multiple sold-out Taylor Swift shows that drew tens of thousands of fans. This initiative aimed to significantly diversify the stadium’s revenue streams.

However, the ambitious concert series was abruptly halted in September after local residents filed a lawsuit citing excessive noise pollution.

The legal action continues to impact scheduling, with Spanish pop star Aitana recently relocating her concert from the Bernabéu to Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium.

Enrique Martínez de Azagra, president of the local residents’ association, highlights the significant disruption caused by the concerts’ noise levels, frequently exceeding 90 decibels. He emphasizes the detrimental effects on residents’ health, including migraines, insomnia, and cardiovascular issues.

According to Ian Marnane of the European Environment Agency, noise levels above 55 decibels are considered harmful, potentially leading to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Noise-diabetes links also exist.

Mr. Martínez de Azagra notes a crucial difference between concert noise and that of football matches, emphasizing the sustained, high-intensity noise levels of prolonged concerts.

Sports journalist Felippo Maria Ricci suggests the residents have a strong legal case, given the Bernabéu’s central location and the residents’ established community presence. He anticipates a protracted legal battle, with Real Madrid currently disadvantaged.

The residents allege that the city government is reluctant to intervene due to the significant economic benefits generated by the concerts, estimated at €25 million (£21m; $28m) for the Taylor Swift shows alone.

Mr. Ricci points out that the stadium’s £1.1bn renovation, including a new retractable pitch system for concerts, has been significantly impacted. The substantial investment in this system is currently rendered largely ineffective.

Acts such as Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, and AC/DC have already shifted to the Metropolitano stadium. The BBC’s request for comment from Madrid City Council, the Mayor’s office, and Real Madrid remain unanswered.

While Real Madrid claims to be implementing soundproofing measures, including window installations, residents, including an engineer, express skepticism regarding the effectiveness of these efforts, given the stadium’s open-air design.

Residents clarify they aren’t opposed to concerts entirely, but the current frequency of approximately 20 annual events is unsustainable. They recall previous concerts featuring Frank Sinatra and Julio Iglesias but highlight the significant increase in concert volume.

The close proximity of the stadium to residential buildings is evident, with residents citing instances where noise interference affected local health facilities’ equipment, particularly blood pressure readings.

Daily rehearsals and sound checks further exacerbate the problem. Newly installed metal plates on the stadium exterior are reportedly amplifying the sound.

Residents have publicly displayed their protest via banners reading “conciertos no” (no concerts) and “ruído no” (no noise).

For the time being, the legal dispute has brought an end to concerts at the Bernabéu stadium.

The killing in a Madrid suburb has shocked Ukrainians, but has not triggered an outpouring of grief.

Copper thieves halt services from Madrid to the southern region of Andalusia.

Drivers in Guernsey with excessively noisy vehicles will in future be penalised under a new law.

A man incurs thousands of pounds in court costs after losing an appeal over a noise abatement order.

Governments are trying to work out what caused the outages in Spain and Portugal.