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Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium will transform into more than just a spectacle after the construction is complete in 2023. MARCA have reported that the club will be installing retractable grass within the stadium which will allow the pitch to be removed within a few minutes.
Underneath the pitch will be 7-8 plates which will retract into a “green house” cave. The green house cave will provide ideal conditions for the grass, combining humidity and light to keep the pitch underground without any issues.
The new system will also make life easier for the groundsmen. The pitch historically needed replacing after every season, but the new features will allow the grass to be kept in better condition for a longer period of time. The maintenance of the pitch will be much less expensive in the long term.
The retractable pitch will allow Real Madrid to host multiple different type of events. From concerts to other sporting events like American Football and Baseball. The stadium will be open for events 300 days out of the year. The opportunity to host other events will provide another source of revenue for the club.