If you’re an avid fan of soccer (or Futbol as they call it in Spain), then the opportunity to catch a Real Madrid match at the Santiago Bernabeu can be difficult to pass up, even if you’re not particularly fond of Los Blancos. That’s exactly what happened during a visit to Madrid recently. Real Madrid was playing at home to Celta de Vigo in the Copa Del Rey on the 18th January.

I was able to get the ticket via an acquaintance who has been a lifelong season ticket holder, with seats in the first row, down the middle of the pitch no less. The atmosphere during the match was electric, with fan chants happening at any given moment fo the match. The security was tight, especially given it was a Copa Del Rey match, and Real Madrid was down on the aggregate.

They ended up losing the match 2-1, with a disappointing performance coming from the majority of Los Blancos. Nevertheless, the experience absolutely incredible, and was once-in-a-lifetime.

Tips:

• • Dress warm and bring gloves, Madrid can be very cold if you go in January, especially when you’re sitting in the first row of the Bernabeu.

• • Try to get there early as the lines to get into the stadium are long. You’ll risk missing the player introductions.

• They do not serve alcohol in the stadium, for security purposes. So if you’re looking for a fix, grab a drink and some tapas at a local bar before heading to the match.