Soccer/futbol in Madrid
 

We are going to be in Madrid March 22-28. We would love to see a professional soccer game. Can you tell me how to find a game schedule? How to get tickets? Do we need to reserve the ahead of time? Are there other teams besides Real Madrid in the area? Anything we should know about it?? Thanks!!

It's called "football" :-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...lubs_in_Madrid
seriously have you even tried google "madrid football schedule 2014"?
Do we need to reserve ahead of time? Oh yes.

Have a great time you will love it

Thanks for your guidance. Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have games in town while we are there. Any recommendations of which would be better--for whatever reason. We are staying near Plaza del Sol, two adults and a 12yo daughter.

Real Madrid is one of the foremost football teams in the world, so definitely RM over Atletico.

You will need to try and book tickets now, although you may already be too late and have to fall back on AM. Avoid areas in the stadium where the local fans sing, typically behind the goals. Try to get seats in the main stand at the Bernabeu.

Thank you so much. That is exactly what I needed to know.

You can get tickets for Real on its website, or at least try. The difference between retail from the website and scalped from a reseller is HUGE - the reseller will charge about 2-4x the face value of the ticket.

And unless you try hard to be ignorant, you can't miss the stadium - just take the Metro to Santiago Bernabeu station, exit, look up. Also, you can take food into the stadium (or could as of a couple of years ago). The beers are relatively cheap too - not the 7E price you'd expect for a US price equivalent.

kdetrav: You were right the first time--in Spanish, it's 'futbol.'

Atletico Madrid are playing well this year, so either would be worth seeing unless you hate both of them, as I do.

Forza Milan!

<Real Madrid is one of the foremost football teams in the world, so definitely RM over Atletico>

Both teams are great and the rivalry between them is serious cultural, political and football business! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Derbi_madrile%C3%B1o

Real Madrid is traditionally the establishment's team in town. Atlético Madrid is the working class "rebel" team and is in the midst of a sensational season, following both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Real Madrid barely made a draw against Atlético a week ago. http://www.theguardian.com/football/...madrid-la-liga

Atlético won the Spanish Kings Cup last year and is now playing the Champions League. But Madrid's home ground Santiago Bernabeu is one of the most famous football (real football;-)) stadiums on earth.

Santiago Bernabeu: http://www.realmadrid.com/en/tickets/bernabeu-tour

Vicente Calderón is the Atlético home ground: http://en.clubatleticodemadrid.com/atm/guided-tours

Atlético vs Real last Sunday in Vicente Calderón stadium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8fRouxQDNc

... and fabulous flamenco dancer Belén López performs every night of your stay in famous Corral de la Morería close to the Almudena Cathedral and the Royal Palace. My brother saw her with a friend and his 11 year daughter in Madrid last year, and she was mesmerized. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hbhkIWSX-Q

Corral de la Morería. Reservations is a must.
http://www.corraldelamoreria.com/en/index.html

March 23rd, Real Madrid plays host to Barcelona. This is one of two 'El Clasico' meetings each year between the clubs. It's one of the most heated rivalries in all of sport. I'd suspect tickets for this game sold out within 1 second of whenever they went onsale. Something to consider.
(GO BARCA!!!)

Definitely sold out for the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona match, black market tickets will be several hundred Euros and much more. Go for the Atlético Madrid match on the 26th.

Atlético Madrid's David Villa, Juanfran and Diego Costa are on the reigning World and European champion Spanish national team. David Villa is the superstar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aotpaR3zo4k

Major wins are celebrated at the Fuente de Neptuno close to the Prado museum: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...no-Madrid.html

Atlético Madrid club history: http://www.atleticofans.com/club-history/

And Atlético Madrid is today in the lead of the Spanish league, at least until Real Madrid plays Levante tonight: http://www.marca.com/futbol/primera/clasificacion.html

Just got tickets for Atletico. Thank you all for the advise. Anything I need to know about going to/being at the game? Real Madrid was all sold out.

The Vicente Calderón stadium is in the heart of Madrid right by the Manzanares river. You could easily walk here from Puerta del Sol in some 25-30 mins.

The stadium can be accessed via the following bus routes: 17, 18, 23, 25, 34, 35, 36, 50, 56, 116, 118 and 119. The closest Metro stations are Pirámides Station and Marqués de Vadillo Station, both of which are on Line 5 of the Madrid Metro. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicente...C3%B3n_Stadium

Perhaps have a bite at a café/bar/restaurant fairly close to the stadium 1-2 hours before the match to get into the mood. Hermanos García, Cervecería Alegre and El Parador are three typical places in Paseo de los Malancólicos very close to the stadium. As the match is scheduled for 10pm, you can also have a steak before the match in the Argentinian grill El Rancho next door to the stadium, but then you must make a reservation as soon as possible:
http://www.elranchomadrid.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...id-Madrid.html

If you want it a bit more tranquile before the match, the fine tapas bar and restaurant district in and around Calle Cava Baja is in the right direction, almost halfway between Puerta del Sol and the stadium. Dozens of fine places here:
http://www.businessinsider.com/the-f...-madrid-2011-3
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...ja-Madrid.html

Txirimiri in C/Humilladero, 6 is great!
http://www.txirimiri.es/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ri-Madrid.html

Outstanding! Thanks!

Atletico de Madrid is now on top of the League after 29 rounds. Equal points with Real Madrid (but Atletico on top because they have one win and one and one draw against Real) and one point ahead of Barcelona. Important to keep the momentum against Granada which has two wins and one draw in the last three matches. This is a must win if Atletico shall take their first La Liga title since 1996. Have a great match!