Real Madrid CF (Member-Owned)

Who owns Real Madrid?
Real Madrid is owned by its approximately 93,000 registered members (socios), who collectively own and democratically govern the club. Members pay annual dues and have voting rights in club elections, including the election of the club president and board of directors. The president serves a four-year term and oversees the club's sporting and commercial operations. Real Madrid is not owned by any single individual, corporation, or investment group.

What is Real Madrid's revenue?
Real Madrid reported revenue of EUR 1.12 billion for the 2024-25 financial year (excluding player transfers). The club has consistently ranked at or near the top of the Deloitte Football Money League, which ranks the world's highest-revenue football clubs annually. The revenue growth has been driven by increased matchday revenue from the renovated Santiago Bernabeu stadium, expanded commercial partnerships, and broadcasting revenue.

How many Champions League titles does Real Madrid have?
Real Madrid has won a record 15 UEFA Champions League titles, the most of any club in history. The club won five consecutive European Cups from 1956 to 1960 and has won titles in 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, and 2024. The club's most recent Champions League title was won in 2024, defeating Borussia Dortmund in the final.

What is the Santiago Bernabeu?
The Santiago Bernabeu is Real Madrid's home stadium, located in the Chamartin district of Madrid, Spain. The stadium was originally opened in 1947 and was named after president Santiago Bernabeu, who drove its construction. The stadium underwent a major renovation completed in 2024 at a cost of approximately EUR 1.76 billion, transforming it into a state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue with a retractable roof, 360-degree video screen, and 78,297 capacity. The renovated stadium hosts football matches, concerts, and corporate events.

How do members participate in Real Madrid governance?
Members (socios) pay annual dues and have voting rights in club elections, including the election of the club president and board of directors. The president serves a four-year term. To run for president, a candidate must be a member for at least three years and must provide a bank guarantee. Elections are held when a presidential term expires or when a president resigns. Florentino Perez was re-elected in 2024 for a sixth term, running unopposed as no other candidate met the requirements to appear on the ballot.

Who is the president of Real Madrid?
Florentino Perez is the president of Real Madrid. He first served as president from 2000 to 2006 and returned as president in 2009. He was re-elected in 2024 for a sixth term. Perez's presidency has been marked by the "Galacticos" policy of signing the world's most prominent players, the EUR 1.76 billion Santiago Bernabeu renovation, and consistent sporting success including 7 UEFA Champions League titles during his tenure.

Is Real Madrid publicly traded?
No, Real Madrid is not publicly traded. The club is owned by its approximately 93,000 registered members (socios) and operates as a member-owned sports club under Spanish law. The club has no external shareholders and cannot be acquired by any single individual or corporation. The club's financial results are disclosed in annual reports as required by Spanish law for member-owned sports clubs.

Real Madrid was founded on March 6, 1902, as Madrid Football Club by Juan Padros and Carlos Padros. The club was established as a member-owned organization from its inception, a structure that has remained consistent throughout its history. King Alfonso XIII granted the club the title "Real" (Royal) in 1920, and the club has been known as Real Madrid since that time.

Throughout the 20th century, Real Madrid established itself as one of Europe's dominant football clubs. The club won its first La Liga title in 1932 and went on to win 36 La Liga titles through 2025. Real Madrid's dominance in European competition began in the 1950s, when the club won five consecutive European Cups (now UEFA Champions League) from 1956 to 1960 under the leadership of president Santiago Bernabeu and players including Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas.

The Santiago Bernabeu stadium, named after the president who drove its construction, opened in 1947 and has been the club's home since that time. The stadium has undergone multiple renovations over the decades, with the most recent and most extensive renovation completed in 2024.

Real Madrid's member-owned structure has distinguished it from most other major European clubs, which have adopted corporate ownership models. This structure has enabled Real Madrid to maintain long-term stability and focus on sporting success without pressure from external shareholders. The club has never been owned by a single individual or corporation, and its governance is subject to Spanish law governing member-owned sports clubs.

Florentino Perez first became president of Real Madrid in 2000 and served until 2006. He returned as president in 2009 and has been re-elected multiple times, most recently in 2024 for a sixth term. Perez's presidency has been marked by the "Galacticos" policy of signing the world's most prominent players, significant investment in infrastructure including the Santiago Bernabeu renovation, and consistent sporting success including multiple UEFA Champions League titles.

Under Perez's leadership, Real Madrid has won 7 UEFA Champions League titles (as of 2025), including an unprecedented three consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018 under manager Zinedine Zidane. The club won its 15th UEFA Champions League title in 2024, defeating Borussia Dortmund in the final.

The Santiago Bernabeu renovation, which began in 2019 and was completed in 2024, cost approximately EUR 1.76 billion. The renovation transformed the stadium into a state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue with a retractable roof, 360-degree video screen, enhanced hospitality suites, and commercial spaces. The renovated stadium has a capacity of 78,297 and is designed to host events beyond football, including concerts and corporate events, providing year-round revenue generation.

For the 2024-25 financial year, Real Madrid reported revenue of EUR 1.12 billion (excluding player transfers). The club has consistently ranked at or near the top of the Deloitte Football Money League. The revenue growth has been driven by increased matchday revenue from the renovated stadium, expanded commercial partnerships, and broadcasting revenue.

Real Madrid publishes sustainability information on its website and in its annual report. The club's sustainability initiatives include programs to reduce the environmental impact of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, including energy efficiency improvements, water conservation systems, and waste reduction programs. The renovated stadium was designed with sustainability features including solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting.

The Real Madrid Foundation, the club's charitable arm, supports social programs through sport. The foundation operates in more than 80 countries and focuses on education, social inclusion, and community development through football. The foundation's programs target disadvantaged youth, refugees, and communities affected by poverty and conflict.

The club has implemented responsible sourcing policies for merchandise and concessions. Real Madrid has stated that it adheres to ethical standards in its commercial partnerships and requires sponsors to meet corporate social responsibility criteria.

Real Madrid is not a Certified B Corporation. The club's sustainability disclosures are published in its annual report and on its website, though they are less detailed than those of publicly traded companies.

Real Madrid has received recognition for its sporting success and commercial performance.

• UEFA Champions League: 15 titles (1956-1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2024), the most of any club in history
• La Liga: 36 titles, the most of any club in Spanish football history
• FIFA Club of the Century: Awarded by FIFA in 2000 as the best football club of the 20th century
• Deloitte Football Money League: Consistently ranked at or near the top as one of the world's highest-revenue football clubs
• IFFHS World's Best Club: Multiple awards from the International Federation of Football History and Statistics

Real Madrid has faced controversy and regulatory scrutiny on several fronts.

The European Super League (ESL) project, announced in April 2021, was one of the most controversial initiatives in European football history. Real Madrid, along with FC Barcelona and Juventus, was one of the driving forces behind the ESL, which proposed a closed competition for elite European clubs. The project faced widespread opposition from fans, players, domestic leagues, and UEFA, and collapsed within days of its announcement. Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Juventus maintained their support for the ESL after the other founding clubs withdrew. The European Court of Justice ruled in December 2023 that UEFA's rules restricting breakaway competitions were contrary to EU competition law, which was interpreted by ESL supporters as a victory. However, the ESL project has not been revived as of 2025.

The Santiago Bernabeu renovation faced controversy over its cost and timeline. The renovation, originally budgeted at EUR 525 million, ultimately cost approximately EUR 1.76 billion, more than three times the original estimate. The project experienced multiple delays and was completed in 2024, several years later than originally planned. The cost overruns drew criticism from some members and media, though the club argued that the enhanced revenue capacity justified the investment.

Real Madrid has faced scrutiny regarding the financing of the stadium renovation. The club raised approximately EUR 575 million through bond issuances in 2019 and 2023 to finance the renovation. The bonds are serviced through the club's operating revenue, and the club has stated that the increased revenue from the renovated stadium will cover the debt service.

The club's member-owned structure has been the subject of debate in European football. Some commentators have argued that member-owned clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have an unfair advantage over privately owned clubs because they do not need to generate returns for external shareholders. Others have argued that the member-owned structure limits the club's ability to raise external capital and is a competitive disadvantage.

Real Madrid has been involved in disputes with Spanish authorities over tax treatment and regulatory compliance. The club has faced scrutiny regarding its accounting practices, particularly the treatment of player transfer fees and image rights. The club has stated that it maintains compliance with all applicable regulations.