Why do Real Madrid celebrate at Cibeles? Origins of the LaLiga title parade

Cibeles is celebrating. The fountain, built in 1782, is one of the symbols of the Spanish capital and is the venue for LaLiga title celebrations after Real Madrid clinched their 36th championship.

Fuente de Cibeles is located in the centre of the Plaza Cibeles, named after the Greek god Cybele. The fountain has become a key site for Real Madrid fans, who flock to the site to celebrate triumphs for their team.

The tradition stretches back six decades and was once associated with Los Blancos’ city rivals, Atlético Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will lift the LaLiga trophy in front of their supporters today but could be back in a few weeks if they clinch the double and win a record 15th Champions League.

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Why do Real Madrid celebrate titles at Cibeles?

When Atlético Madrid won the 1961/62 European Cup Winners’ Cup a group of fans went to the fountain to gather and toast their triumph. Given its central location in the city, Real Madrid fans soon followed the custom and throughout the 70s and 80s both clubs celebrated at Cibeles.

The teams’ fortunes began to diverge in the mid-1980s as Real Madrid enjoyed historic successes with the famed ‘Quinta del Buitre’ team. Real Madrid were Spanish league champions for five consecutive seasons (1985/86 - 1989/90) and the fountain became indelible linked with the club’s successes.

The 1986 World Cup was held in Mexico and Hugo Sánchez, the star of that Real Madrid team, made headlines by scoring four goals in a Round of 16 game against Denmark. In a show of support for their Mexican star thousands of Madridistas came to the fountain to celebrate the victory. Over the years Cibeles had became a part of Madrid’s identity and in 1991 Atlético, having won the Copa del Rey, took their supporters to the nearby Fuente de Neptuna to celebrate that success. That tradition, too, continues to this day.