Revealed: Real Madrid 'set to change their iconic stadium name for the first time in nearly 70 years' as Spanish giants prepare for re-brand

Real Madrid are reportedly set to change the name of their iconic stadium.

This year, the 15-time European champions completed a five-year renovation at the iconic stadium, costing around £860m which has seen the capacity rise to 85,000. 

The revamped stadium also features a 360-degree screen and retractable roof, as the club look to modernise their iconic structure.

However, as part of their revamp, Madrid have also reportedly decided that they will change the name of the ground – moving away from the iconic ‘Santiago Bernabeu’.

Instead, according to Spanish outlet Marca, Madrid’s ground will be known as ‘The Bernabeu’ – dropping ‘Santiago’.

It will come as a major shock to Madrid fans, who have become accustomed to the Santiago Bernabeu name since the club named it that back in 1955.

Now the Spanish giants are reportedly looking to rename the stadium to ‘The Bernabeu’

Santiago Bernabeu was a former striker who played for Madrid between 1921 and 1926, after managing the club for one year, he served as president for over 34 years. 

There have been suggestions that the name change has come as a result of commercial reasons. There has been no official confirmation from the club. 

It was reported in November that Madrid are facing a lawsuit for nearly £14million over a luxury hospitality area at the Santiago Bernabeu that is yet to open.

While the majority of the renovation has been completed, a luxury Skybar at the stadium is still yet to open, six months after its expected completion date.

Spanish newspaper El Confidencial reported that the venue remains unopened due to a legal battle between Real Madrid and Anastia Gourmet, the company contracted to run the hospitality area.

Anastia Gourmet has reportedly sued Real Madrid for €16.5m (£13.7m), as it seeks to open the venue to hold scheduled events.

The outlet cited documents from a lawsuit by Anastia Gourmet where the company claims to have been prevented from entering the Sky Bar since last September, with only limited access granted for specific maintenance tasks.

‘Since then, Real Madrid has prevented not only the opening of the space to the public, but also the peaceful use and enjoyment of the space leased to my client,’ the lawsuit states.

Next year Real Madrid will offer 300 ‘Super Vip’ seats worth a staggering 250k per seat

Anastia Gourmet added that that Real Madrid has ‘terminated the lease agreement and is ‘requesting the voluntary and free handover of the premises’.

The company are reportedly seeking to settle debts of almost €7m (£5.8m) it has to suppliers, including Schweppes and Heineken.

Anastia Gourmet, who also invested around €4m (£3.3m to prepare the Sky Bar, may have to enter bankruptcy should they be unable to recover the finances to pay its suppliers.

The super-exclusive Skybar has been billed as the most luxurious seat in the house on matchdays but would then transform into a nightclub to dance the night away afterwards.