An update on Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium noise issue (Copy)

Authored by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition

The BBC recently provided an update on the noise problems at Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium, home of the Real Madrid soccer team. The team rebuilt the stadium to boost revenues and hosted many large concerts there. But the stadium is in the middle of a densely populated neighborhood, and the concerts bother those living nearby. The neighbors sued after unsuccessful negotiations. The local courts have halted concerts for now, as the litigation continues.  

Photo credit: Zoser, licensed under CC BY 4.0

As the article notes, the neighbors generally support the soccer team and don’t mind noise from matches. One nearby resident commented that crowd noise from the match increases only when there is a goal or other event in the game. In contrast, the concert noise occurs later in the evening and is continuously loud. There are also sound checks during the day which can disrupt students and teachers at nearby schools.

Perhaps most importantly, noise is recognized as a health problem in Europe. The European Environment Agency has determined that noise above 55 decibels is dangerous. Attempts are being made to modify the stadium to contain the noise, but this may not be possible. In the meantime, concerts have shifted to a rival team’s stadium and the neighborhood around Bernabeu remains quiet.