The Movistar Arena, known to all Madridistas as the traditional Palace of Sports, on Goya Street in Madrid, is celebrating 20 years of restoration, after a fire in 2001 forced it to be practically completely rebuilt. … Incidentally, in the twenty-first century, it is among the best pavilions in Europe. And now it is celebrating its anniversary in style, with the announcement of an increase in capacity that will put it at the top of the podium as the largest in Spain and ready to host no less than the NBA in the near future.
The increase in capacity will be possible thanks to the new Self-protection plan for Movistar Arena. The process has just begun and the Community of Madrid will have the final say, but first, and awaiting confirmation that all points of the plan are one hundred percent subject to current regulations, said the Regional President, Isabel Diaz AyusoYesterday, she was excited about the project. In his opinion, this will strengthen Madrid’s position as the “International Capital of Music” and a very attractive destination for major sporting competitions, such as the North American Professional Basketball League.
Ayuso summed up, in a few words, the potential that this multi-purpose facility means for Madrid: First of all, “the old Sports Palace is an icon on the world map of music, entertainment and sports”, on a par with other facilities in New York or London. But it is also a major player in the regional economy, organizing more than 500 events annually that generate an economic impact worth €577 million. The event receives more than two million visitors annually and contributes to creating 13,000 direct and indirect job opportunities.
Twelve years ago, the pavilion seated 15,600 people. It would have been possible, with all the law, to raise the current amount to 17,453 for large concerts and shows. Now, with the new self-protection plan introduced, the aim is to increase it to 20,008 seats, which would put it ahead of Valencia’s Arena Roig, which has a capacity of 20,000. Everything has been thought of. The increase will occur mainly on the route, where it will go from 7,100 to 8,100 people. The remaining places will be won in different levels. The increase in capacity is crucial in attracting top international artists, as confirmed by Xavier Bartrolí, President of Impulsa Eventos e Instalaciones, Movistar Aren’s management company, and Manuel Saucedo, CEO.
The increased seating will also benefit basketball games, a sport that forms part of the spirit of this palace, which hosts two Madrid teams, Real Madrid and Estudiantes. Currently the matches can be followed live by 13,807 people and the goal is to practically reach 15,000 people. Big words that put Movistar Arena in the global basketball orbit and will make Eurobasket 2029 even more exciting.
The fire that broke out at the Sports Palace destroyed the venue on June 28, 2001, while renovations were being carried out on the roof.
The new self-protection plan for the Movistar Arena, coordinated by the architect and project manager of the adaptation of the Palace of Sports, Enrique Hermoso, must go through several procedures. The document has already been drafted and delivered to the firefighters of the Madrid City Council and the community, so that they can analyze it and notify its strengths and weaknesses, if any. Once the firefighters agree to comply with current regulations, the Community of Madrid will have the final say in approving the plan and in the facility obtaining the corresponding license. At Movistar Arena, they estimate that the project could be ready within months and the new capacity will be fully available in the 2029 season. The self-protection plan focuses, above all, on improving evacuation processes and on quick and effective responses that may occur in the event of any type of incident. Safety, Movistar Arena managers stress, always comes first.
President Ayuso assumed that the plan would meet the requirements of the regulations and Movistar Arena would be the venue with the largest capacity in Spain. During a visit to the venue on the occasion of its twentieth anniversary, those responsible for the facility explained that this space is already a reference for large concerts and international events, supported by the third global position it occupies in the “World 200 World Arenas” classification of the international magazine Pollstar, in which the venue was also recognized as first in Europe in terms of the number of events held and tickets sold. Another fact that draws attention: The Music Promoters Association highlighted Madrid this year as a music capital with more than 186 million tickets sold for music shows.
Ayuso highlights “the old Sports Palace as an icon on the world map of music, entertainment and sports.”
Ayuso has also seen first-hand the latest innovations integrated into the space, the result of an investment of more than 19 million euros since managing Impulsa Eventos e Instalaciones in 2014, which include solar panels on the roof and the complete management of the building with renewable energy. There is also LED lighting throughout the facility, and security systems equipped with state-of-the-art cameras, capable of capturing in detail what is happening in any corner or seat of the venue. It also has a special sound monitoring and sound insulation system and millimeter 5G connectivity service.
The increase in capacity will occur mainly on the track, going from 7,100 to 8,100 people, and the rest will be gained in the stands.
Movistar Arena will conclude 2025 with a total of 230 events, including 157 concerts and 64 sporting events. “He is young, bright and adapted to the times,” explained Javier Bartroli and Manuel Saucedo. In 2024, the volume of tickets sold for concerts reached 186.3 million euros. Barcelona came in second place with bills of 113.4 million, then Sevilla with 43.2 million. Leaving Valencia with a score of 26.4 in fourth place.
Regarding the employment impact, an average of 456 people work at the event. In 2024, 623,000 working hours were contracted, and more than 10,000 people were employed, many of them young people. 50 percent of the hours are for people between the ages of 17 and 26 (30 percent of men and 70 percent of women). They are mainly informants, flight attendants and assistants. 30 percent, between 27 and 30 years old (85 percent men and 15 percent women). They are assemblers, they load and unload and are helpers. 20 percent are between 31 and 45 years old (70 percent men and 30 percent women). They are for security or cleaning, others are technicians.
13000
The Movistar Arena complex generates 13,000 direct and indirect employees, with an average of 456 employees per event
577
The sports and music venue had a direct, indirect and induced economic impact in 2024 of €577 million
400
Safety is the absolute priority in installation. There are 400 modern cameras, capable of monitoring any corner or seat with maximum detail.
70 percent
In restaurants, beer is the absolute queen. It represents 70 percent of consumption. Water is only 5 percent
The security department has 400 “modern” cameras of “extreme” quality. You have complete control over the entire space, all the seats, down to the smallest detail. The ability for the entire audience to leave at the end of a concert in a matter of minutes stands out. There are more than 170 professionals at each event who care about fan safety. The facility includes nine firefighters and a mobile intensive care unit, in addition to 13 doctors and health staff.
As for restaurants, the absolute queen is beer. 70 percent of what is consumed is that drink. 11 percent, foods and snacks. 10 percent remains in other types of drinks and only 5 percent corresponds to water. The venue has 45 boxes and five VIP areas, with catering for 1,500 people per event.
After his visit to the place with the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Mariano de Paco Serrano; President of Telefónica Spain, Borja Ochoa, and other representatives of the complex’s most important sponsors, such as Mahou San Miguel and Endesa, Ayuso took the opportunity, during his speech, to devote a few words to Joaquín Sabina, who two days ago held his last concert there, at the Movistar Arena. “Thank you, Master,” the regional head said. Finally, outside the event, the regional president was asked about Pedro Sanchez’s latest statements and the response she would give him: “I would tell him to come and have fun at the Movistar Arena,” Ayuso commented with good humor.