SPORTING VENUES

TopTen

1. Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

prac_info Avenida de Concha Espina 1 • Metro Santiago Bernabéu • Trophy room: Open daily except 1 Jan, 25 Dec • Adm (under 4s free) • www.realmadrid.com/estadio-santiago-bernabeu

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The Real Madrid football club observed its centenary in 2002, although this 81,044-seater stadium was not completed until 1946. It is named after Santiago Bernabéu, the club president who brought the team five successive European championships in the 1950s.This success has continued – in 1998 FIFA, Real Madrid was voted the “best club in the history of football” by the world governing body. Its tally has 59 domestic and 15 international trophies, and more than five European and 10 UEFA Champions League cups. The club has a television station, broadcasting 20 hours a day. Take a tour of the sala de trofeos (trophy room).

TopTen

The impressive exterior of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

2. Wanda Metropolitano

prac_info Avenida de Luis Aragones, 4 • Metro Estadio Metropolitano • Guided tours: check website • Adm • www.atleticodemadrid.com/wandametropolitano

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Real Madrid’s arch-rivals, Atlético de Madrid, play in this 68,000 seat stadium, in San Blas. For most of its history, the club has lived in the shadow of Real Madrid, but all is forgotten when the two clash in annual matches, billed as the “duel of the gods”. The club’s best season was in 1996 when it won a league and cup, but four years later the club suffered the humiliation of being relegated to the second division. King Felipe VI has been the Honorary President since 2003. In 2017 the club moved here from its previous stadium, Estadio Vicente Calderon, on the south side of the Manzanares River.

3. WiZink Center

prac_info Avenida Filipe II • Metro Goya, O’Donnell or Príncipe de Vergara • www.wizinkcenter.es

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Inaugurated in February 2005, the WiZink Center (previously known as the Palacio de los Deportes, or Sports Palace) occupies the site of a former sports centre that was destroyed by fire in 2001. The building seats 18,000 spectators and was designed to accommodate several sports including athletics, basketball, handball, tennis and boxing. As well as improving both safety and security measures, the centre’s acoustics were enhanced in order to make it a suitable venue for pop and rock concerts.

4. Plaza de Toros

prac_info Calle de Alcalá 237 • Metro Ventas • www.las-ventas.com

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Today bullfighting courts controversy, with a growing number of Spaniards opposing the tradition. Corridas (fights) take place in the Las Ventas stadium, which opened in 1931 and has its own chapel and hospital. Officially the season runs from March to December, but the real action begins in May with the Feria de San Isidro.

5. Jogging Venues

Most Madrileños head for the Retiro, Jardines Sabatini, Casa de Campo or Madrid Río and Paseo Pintor Rosales with views of the Parque del Oeste.

6. Outdoor Swimming Pools

prac_info Gymage Lounge Resort, Calle de la Luna 2

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Madrid’s outdoor swimming pools are open from June to mid-September. There are three pools in the Casa de Campo (children’s, intermediate and Olympic), but they are crowded at weekends. An alternative is at Gymage, which is also a fitness centre.

7. Hipódromo de la Zarzuela

prac_info Avenida Padre Huidobro, Road A-6, exit (salida) 8 • 917 40 05 40 • Opening times vary, see website: www.hipodromodelazarzuela.es • Closed Jan & Feb • Adm • Spring & fall: under 18s free; summer: under 14s free

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Tickets for horse racing can be booked in advance online by phone or in person at the racetrack on Sundays, 11:30am–3pm. Visit the stables before racing begins to pick the favourite, and enjoy live music on the lawn after the winner is announced.

8. Madrid Caja Mágica

prac_info Parque Lineal del Manzanares, Camino de Perales 23 • Metro San Fermín-Orcasur • Opening hours vary according to events being held there

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This hi-tech sports complex, designed by architect Dominique Perrault, is dedicated to tennis. It includes 11 indoor and 16 outdoor tennis courts. The site is located close to the Manzanares River, south of the city.

9. Circuito del Jarama

prac_info Circuito del Jarama, Road A-1, 28km • Bus No. 166 from Plaza Castilla

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Fans of motor racing (automovilísmo) or motorcycle racing (motociclísmo) should head to this track, near San Sebastián de los Reyes, 28 km (17 miles) northeast of Madrid. Race meetings are held here throughout the summer, though the circuit is undergoing renovation until 2021.

10. Club de Campo Villa de Madrid

prac_info Carretera de Castilla 2km • Bus Nos. 160, 161 and A from Moncloa • www.ccvm.es

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Golf is big business in Spain, due to the interest generated by the likes of champions José María Olazábal and the late Severiano Ballesteros. Even though it is a barren terrain, several 18-hole courses are in the Greater Madrid area. The Club de Campo was designed by Javier Arana in 1957 and is one of the best in Europe.

TopTen

Club de Campo Villa de Madrid

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