Work began on the iconic stadium, originally built in 1947, as far back as 2019. But the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the subsequent Russian invasion of Ukraine and ongoing war from early 2022 both caused delays and problems for the redevelopment project.
Completion has been pushed back after president Florentino Perez had expressed hope last summer that it would be completely ready in time for the 2023/24.
"We started work and, just after, the pandemic came. And then the war in Ukraine and that, as we all know, has provoked two things: a lack of materials and an increase in price," Perez explained during an interview with El Chiringuito in June 2022.
However, a clear date for a ceremony to formally re-open the stadium is coming into view.
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AS has reported that Madrid have already informed representatives of some supporters’ groups that Saturday 23 December will be when the proper inauguration takes place. The players, whose final La Liga game before Christmas is away at Alaves three days earlier, will be present, as will a number of famous fans from the world of sport and entertainment.
The team will of course still have to play home matches at the Bernabeu before building work is fully complete. The first three La Liga fixtures of the new season are all away from home to give contractors an additional few weeks to make the stadium fan-ready, even if not finished.
Madrid will play eight La Liga home games prior to 23 December, plus three Champions League group games, although it is said that the ongoing work will become increasingly less visible as the project edges towards completion during that time.
The first actual game at the Bernabeu after the inauguration will follow the winter break and is the club's very first of 2024 when Mallorca visit the capital on 3 January.
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