Real Madrid CF, $$$

January 7, 2008 7:00 PM

Real Madrid Tickets, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, More inside...

Has anyone ever bought tickets to a European match (specifically La Liga) on-line from the US?

Any advice on where to go as well as how not to get ripped off? The match I'm interested in wouldn't be considered a big rivalry so tix should be available. I checked some of the immediate google search results and the tickets seemed way more expensive than I expected, anywhere from 70-180 Euros.

I paid approx. 20 Euros to see a Champions League match at the same stadium in 2001. Have they gone up that much? Thank you much for the help-

posted by priested to sports, hobbies, & recreation (9 comments total)

Tickets can be booked online through the club website but are usually only available in the two weeks before the match (if it's not sold out).

I've been to matches in London and in Italy (I'm live in the U.S.). Most times I use the concierge, but I have purchased tickets online for a Spurs match at White Hart Lane. You pick up the tickets at the will call and show them hour ID.

In Milan and Rome, they have official ticket agents (non-scalpers) scattered throught those cities. I'm pretty certain they have them in Madrid.

I would not attempt to buy tickets at the Bernabeu on match day. I tried to do that in Bologna once, and they didin't have any to sell (for a match that was not even close to being sold out).

If you are trying to get tickets to the Roma match in March, it's safe to say you will only be able to get them at this point through an agent (scalper). Good luck.
posted by wfc123 at 8:04 PM on January 7

This is not an official site, but it pretty much summarises my findings from a couple of years ago when I bought Barca tickets from the UK. Both clubs have a similar season ticket and associate member scheme, which restricts the public sale dates. In short, if you want to buy in advance online and be sure to have a ticket, you're going to have to pay a premium that will take the tickets into the EUR70+ range. Otherwise, if you are confident that the match will not be sold out, you can wait until the week before and call and buy a ticket at face value.
With a bit of luck, perhaps one of AskMe's Spanish correspondents may have some better info for you.
posted by Jakey at 2:42 AM on January 8

My friend did this very recently (last month). I will get back to you once I have asked him.
posted by ClanvidHorse at 2:59 AM on January 8

From my friend,

Wait until you get out there. They early sell tickets for all games to season ticket holders and members only - then around 3 days before the game they start releasing them to public. They'll release one tranche in the morning three days before, then a second two, and a third on the day of the game. They'll release all tickets which haven't been sold around two/three hours before the game. I think the stadium's not been sold out for a while in the league - normally around 3/4k tickets remain unsold.

When we went, we just pitched up 2 hours before the game and managed to get 4 tickets sitting next to each other in the main stand no problem. tickets were between 20 and 60 euro's although the cheaper ones sell out first obviously. We went for the 40 euro jobs. plenty of bars around-abouts so if he pitches up early he can get some drinks beforehand.
posted by ClanvidHorse at 3:57 AM on January 8

Thank you much... Appreciate the perspectives. Day of the match seems like the way to go as I don't mind finding a bar if for some odd reason they sell out... Cheers.
posted by priested at 5:00 AM on January 8

Things may have changed since 2004, but while studying in Madrid, games at the Bernabeu were a favorite activity that simply required lining up as early as possible day-of (if my memory serves, ticket sales for night games began at approx. 1p.m.) I don't think I ever paid over 25 euros for a ticket, with most of them costing just about 15 euros (obviously the cheap seats, but still a great view), but there are quite a few Spaniards that are interested in these tickets as well, so early arrival and patience on line is key.

Oh, and make sure you don't wait in the wrong line. There are "Member" lines and non-member lines alike, and waiting 2 hours in the former when you should be in the latter tends to ruin one's day.
posted by undercoverhuwaaah at 7:20 AM on January 8

Oh, and despite any temptation you may feel, Applebee's and the Americanized ribs joint on the corner at the stadium are NOT your best options for bars that are showing the game on tv!
posted by undercoverhuwaaah at 7:22 AM on January 8

In 2002, my wife got a pair of tickets for a match that night from a ticket broker down the road from our hotel. Not much of a markup...
posted by AJaffe at 10:28 AM on January 8

Follow Up. Went to match and paid 50 Euro for a great seat 20 rows up in the home side corner. Real Madrid won 7-0 which was fairly monumental. Bought ticket directly from agent 1 hour before the match. Simply asked for cheapest seat available and was surprised it was such a great seat.
Thanks for advice.
posted by priested at 12:49 PM on February 17