The mayor of Madrid has intervened in response to complaints from neighbors regarding the ‘unbearable noise’ stemming from concerts held at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, coinciding with Taylor Swift’s upcoming performances in the city.

Real Madrid has recently ventured into hosting concerts at the Bernabeu, with plans for a total of 15 concerts scheduled for May and June. This initiative follows a lucrative agreement with the Legends and Sixth Street groups, netting the club €360 million for a 20-year lease of the stadium as an events venue since 2022. Real Madrid stands to gain 70% of event proceeds, aiming to generate around €400 million annually from concert activities.

One resident named Nicolas, who created an online account to raise concerns about noise levels at the stadium, reported that concert noise levels reached 84.9 decibels in his home, significantly exceeding the local limit of 53 decibels for nighttime residential areas. He also highlighted disturbances occurring as late as quarter to one in the morning, emphasizing that while occasional celebrations were permissible, continuous year-round programming was not in accordance with regulations.

Describing the stadium’s transformation into an ‘eventdrome,’ Nicolas and other residents expressed discontent over the increased frequency of concerts. Some concert attendees also noted issues with acoustics during initial events, although music promoters assured that adjustments were ongoing and anticipated Taylor Swift’s upcoming performances as the true test.

Mayor José Luis Martínez Almeida acknowledged the sound-related non-compliance around the Bernabeu, emphasizing the need for a resolution that balances the continuation of concerts with the peace of local residents. Martínez stressed the technical nature of the issue, affirming the exploration of optimal solutions to address the concerns.

Residents observed efforts to mitigate noise disturbances, such as the installation of black fabric around the stadium’s exterior in preparation for Taylor Swift’s concerts. Madrid City Council’s environment and mobility councillor, Borja Carabante, announced plans for fines related to past concerts at the Bernabeu. While the responsibility for fines lies with concert promoters, Carabante underscored the football club’s accountability in responding to community grievances.