Real Madrid C.F., the globally renowned Spanish football club, and Cisco, a world leader in networking and security, have announced a significant multi-year extension of their strategic alliance.
This renewed partnership has solidified Cisco’s position as an official technology partner, promising to usher in a new era of digital innovation at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium and the club’s expansive training complex, Real Madrid City.
The extended collaboration, building on nearly two decades of Cisco solutions forming the technological backbone of the Santiago Bernabéu, underscores a shared commitment to pioneering innovation in the realms of sports and entertainment. This agreement is set to redefine Real Madrid’s digital landscape, focusing on next-generation advancements across all facets of its operations.
Under the terms of the expanded partnership, the club is poised for a significant digital transformation. Cisco will establish a scalable, high-performance, and AI-ready data centre at Real Madrid City. This cutting-edge infrastructure is designed to dramatically improve the club’s energy efficiency while seamlessly integrating new AI workloads alongside existing digital operations, which will unlock advanced analytical capabilities and drive operational efficiencies for years to come.
Furthermore, the training complex will be equipped with Cisco’s advanced Wi-Fi 7 technology. This upgrade promises unparalleled speeds, ultra-low latency, and robust connectivity for club personnel and visitors alike, ensuring a seamless digital experience across the vast facility.
In addition, a powerful 100 Gbps network, leveraging Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), will establish a high-speed, secure connection between the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and Real Madrid City. This robust network will facilitate streamlined, secure management, accelerate the deployment of new services, and significantly bolster the club’s overall digital resilience.
The Santiago Bernabéu, already a global benchmark for stadium innovation following its comprehensive 2024 renovation, heavily relies on Cisco technology. Its converged Software Defined Access (SDA) network, a pioneering implementation in European stadiums, ensures rapid and secure operations by connecting every stadium asset. Moreover, Cisco’s cloud-based IP Fabric for Media solution enables the real-time production and distribution of content to over 2,500 screens within the venue and millions of fans worldwide through broadcasts. This empowers an immersive fan experience, providing lightning-fast connectivity for 80,000 spectators and advanced digital production with uncompressed, real-time 4K video.
Speaking on the occasion, Andreu Vilamitjana, CEO of Cisco Spain and Portugal, said, “Networks are at the heart of digitalisation, which is transforming all sectors, including sport and entertainment. Three years ago, the new Bernabéu stadium set a global benchmark in converged connectivity thanks to Cisco technology. Now, it will once again be a pioneer in delivering immersive, sustainable and cost-effective interactions.”
Agostino Santoni, Senior Vice President of EMEA South, added, “Technology has the power to transform the fan experience, and Real Madrid is marking a new milestone in innovation in sports, entertainment and culture. By leveraging Cisco’s expertise, it is not only reinventing sport for fans but also enriching the experience of hundreds of thousands of visitors to the stadium.”
This expanded partnership underscores Real Madrid’s unwavering commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to maintain their position as a global leader in sports innovation. With the Santiago Bernabéu set to host major international events, including the first-ever NFL regular season game in Spain in November 2025, this enhanced technological foundation ensures a world-class experience for all attendees. The alliance further reinforces Cisco’s role as an end-to-end infrastructure provider, empowering Real Madrid to seamlessly navigate the evolving digital landscape and embrace the AI era with a unified and secure technological approach.
