The Santiago Bernabéu is a football stadium in Madrid , Spain . Work on the grounds started on October 27 , 1944 . Originally called Estadio Chamartin, after Real's previous stadium, was inaugurated in December 1947. Real Madrid officially adopted the present name, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, on January 4 , 1955 in honor of club president Santiago Bernabéu.

The capacity has changed frequently, peaking at 120,000 after a 1953 expansion. Since then there have been a number of reductions due to modernisations (the last standing places went in 1998/99 in response to UEFA regulations which prohibit standing at matches in UEFA competitions), countered to some extent by expansions. The last change was an increase of about six thousand to 80,354 in 2005. A plan to add a retractable roof has been announced.

The stadium was host to the European Cup final in 1957, the 1964 European Championship final and the 1982 World Cup final.