Santiago Bernabéu Stadium´s hypogeum, developed by FCC Construcción, named finalist at the prestigious 2026 ITA Tunnelling Awards

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03/08/2026

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium´s hypogeum, developed by FCC Construcción, named finalist at the prestigious 2026 ITA Tunnelling Awards

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The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Hypogeum project, designed and built by FCC Construcción, has been named a finalist for the 2026 ITA Tunnelling Awards, the world’s most prestigious recognition in underground engineering and tunnelling, presented by the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES).

This nomination places the pioneering infrastructure at the pinnacle of global civil engineering, highlighting the extreme technical complexity, structural innovation, and logistically demanding execution achieved in the heart of urban Madrid.

The Santiago Bernabéu Hypogeum is a subterranean greenhouse approximately 30 meters deep, specifically engineered to house, protect, and maintain the stadium's natural turf when non-sporting events take place.

Key technical milestones that position this project as a global benchmark include:

High-Precision Engineering in a Dense Urban Environment: Construction of a massive underground excavation located just meters away from critical city infrastructure, including Madrid Metro’s Line 10 and major public utilities.
Retractable Tray System and Automation: Design of an automated system capable of moving, storing, and conditioning six natural grass trays using integrated HVAC, LED growth lighting, and vertical irrigation systems.
Advanced Retention and Deep Foundations: Implementation of state-of-the-art secant pile walls and deep retaining structures without disturbing the surrounding city operations or the stadium’s event schedule.

With this selection, ITA-AITES acknowledges FCC Construcción’s capacity to deliver highly complex underground infrastructure projects. The hypogeum represents an unprecedented architectural and engineering feat for sports venues globally, establishing a new standard for multi-purpose versatility, sustainability, and subterranean urban space management.

The final winners across all categories for the 2026 ITA Tunnelling Awards will be announced during the association's annual awards ceremony, bringing together leading global experts and organizations from the tunnelling sector.