This judicial decision overturns a previous order that sent the case to trial, following a neighborhood complaint about exceeding maximum sound levels. The ruling, made public this Wednesday, exempts Real Madrid Estadio SL and a club executive from any criminal offense.
“"The promoting companies that lease the stadium, insofar as they are the ones who promote, organize, develop, and execute each show, are responsible for ensuring compliance with decibel limits."
The club has expressed its satisfaction with the ruling, considering it a confirmation of the “unfounded and instrumental” nature of the lawsuit filed by the Neighborhood Association of Those Affected by the Bernabéu and other residents. Real Madrid has reiterated its confidence in the administration of justice and its willingness to cooperate with authorities.
Despite this exemption from responsibility, the ruling does not allow concerts to resume at the Santiago Bernabéu. Neighborhood sources have announced they will appeal the decision, arguing that it does not deny the offense but rather shifts it to the musicians and promoters.
The original lawsuit, filed by residents, focused on noise generated by a dozen musical events between April 26 and September 8, 2024. The Madrid City Council imposed sanctions on promoters for exceeding sound limits, with fines ranging from 16,000 to 148,000 euros.
The Neighborhood Association of Those Affected by the Bernabéu had pointed to the stadium's managing company as responsible for renting the venue without adequate acoustic insulation. Real Madrid suspended concerts scheduled for September 2024 and announced improvement works, although they later definitively canceled performances in mid-2025, relocating them to another stadium. Acoustic experts have indicated that soundproofing the Bernabéu to comply with current regulations is an “almost impossible” task due to the proximity of residential buildings.
