Real Madrid to offer fans virtual reality Bernabéu experience
Real Madrid has announced plans to launch the “Infinite Bernabéu,” a virtual reality project developed in collaboration with Apple, offering fans worldwide an immersive stadium experience. The initiative, trialed during Madrid’s 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Juventus on October 22, used over 30 specialized cameras to capture the match. The footage will be available next year via Apple’s Vision Pro VR headset.
The club unveiled further details of the project on Wednesday when Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez hosted a delegation from Apple at the Santiago Bernabéu. Pérez described the initiative as a long-term vision to allow fans to experience live matches with “a sense of presence and emotion that was previously impossible.”
The trial run included cameras positioned throughout the stadium, including the tunnel, pitchside, press box, and press conference area. Pérez emphasized that the project aims to bring the stadium experience to the club’s global fanbase without physical barriers, stating, “It will be like opening the stadium doors to the entire planet, without limits, without barriers, with a technological quality that will mark a before and after in the world of sports.”
While the project is expected to generate commercial opportunities, Pérez highlighted that the primary goal is fan engagement rather than immediate financial gain. “The economic impact is important, of course, but it shouldn’t be our short-term obsession,” he said. “What’s really special is offering a billion Real Madrid fans, around the world, the experience they want to have.”
The announcement follows the Bernabéu’s recent hosting of the NFL’s first regular-season game in Spain, where the Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 16-13 in front of 78,610 spectators, illustrating the stadium’s growing role as a multi-sport venue.
The “Infinite Bernabéu” represents a significant step in the integration of technology and fan experience, positioning Real Madrid at the forefront of digital innovation in sport. By combining immersive VR technology with the stadium’s iconic atmosphere, the club aims to redefine how supporters engage with live football, potentially setting a precedent for other major sports institutions.