How Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid numbers could be surpassed this season

It is not yet fully operational, but it is already transforming Real Madrid’s financial landscape. In just the first six months of the 2024-25 season, the new Santiago Bernabéu has nearly matched its entire non-matchday revenue from the previous season. According to the club’s latest financial reports, revenue from stadium operations outside of matchdays reached $47.3 million between July and December 2024. That’s 95% of the total for the entire 2023-24 season.

Matchday revenue has also skyrocketed. Ticket sales, season passes, and membership fees brought in $161.3 million, compared to $101.9 million in the same period last season. After becoming the first football club to surpass $1.1 billion in revenue last year, Real Madrid is now on track to break its own record once again, with total revenue reaching $635.9 million in the first half of the season – up 27.9% year over year.

A packed Bernabéu, match after match

Fans have been flocking to the stadium to witness the transformation firsthand. The iconic retractable roof and 360º video scoreboard, first unveiled in the April 2024 Clásico, have become major attractions.

Securing a ticket for a match at the new Bernabéu has become almost impossible, with the stadium filled to capacity for every game. The lowest attendance this season was 67,480 spectators for a midweek LaLiga match against Alavés in September, while the other 19 home matches (12 in LaLiga, 6 in the Champions League, and 1 in the Copa del Rey) have all surpassed the 70,000 mark – a level of demand not seen since Cristiano Ronaldo’s peak years.

For comparison, in the 2018-19 season – the last before renovations began and the first without Ronaldo – Real Madrid only exceeded 70,000 spectators in four matches, while four others drew fewer than 50,000 fans.

The stadium’s impact on ticketing revenue is undeniable. In just six months, match-related income surged by 58.3%, reaching $161.3 million. Demand is so high that tickets for the Corazón Classic Match on June 7 are already selling out. On the first day of general sales, several sections of the stadium were completely booked.

The Bernabéu Tour’s growing appeal

Although the bulk of the stadium’s renovations are complete, ongoing projects include urban development around the venue, the creation of new commercial spaces, and the expansion of the Bernabéu Museum and Tour.

Despite offering a reduced tour route due to ongoing work, the Bernabéu Tour remains a massive attraction. This segment has seen one of the biggest revenue jumps this season, generating $26.2 million between July and December 2024 – a staggering 77.5% increase from $14.8 million during the same period last season. The 2023-24 season ended with $32.7 million in tour revenue, a figure that will be easily surpassed this year.

Key revenue figures (in millions of dollars)

The power of sponsorships

While the Bernabéu is a major driver of revenue, Real Madrid’s brand strength remains a crucial factor. Marketing revenue grew 38.6% year-over-year, reaching $270.3 million - a $75.4 million increase compared to the same period last season.

Merchandise sales surged 39.6%, generating $53.5 million, while sponsorships and licensing agreements rose 37.2%, reaching $170.2 million. A key contributor to this growth was the club’s partnership with HP, which became Real Madrid’s third main sponsor – joining Emirates and Adidas – in December 2023.

With record-breaking matchday revenues, soaring sponsorship deals, and an ever-growing stadium business, one thing is clear – the new Bernabéu isn’t just a stadium, it’s a goldmine.

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