Real Madrid to commence Santiago Bernabéu upgrade

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Image credit: Youssef War / Shutterstock.com

Real Madrid’s president, Florentino Pérez, has authorised a financing plan to support the continuing refurbishment of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, asserting that the project will “change the history” of the LaLiga club.

Following an emergency general assembly meeting, Real Madrid revealed that a proposal to extend the club’s board of directors’ authority to incur debt in order to fund the works had been granted.

There were 1,569 votes in favour, 25 against, and 38 abstentions out of the total of 1,632 polled. The permission came after it was revealed that Real Madrid were looking to borrow an additional $396 million to pay stadium renovations, which Pérez has now confirmed.

The Bernabéu is now undergoing the most extensive renovation in its 75-year history, with Real Madrid unveiling a new retractable roof on September 2. The renovation is expected to be completed in the following weeks, with a big reopening celebration planned for right before Christmas.

Pérez spoke on what the upgrade meant for the prestigious club via press release:

“The new Santiago Bernabéu stadium is going to change the history of Real Madrid. We have seen the pride it provokes in all Real Madrid fans when we are already achieving the culmination of a dream that will mark our destiny.

“We have to be aware of the adverse circumstances in which we have had to undertake this immense challenge. For all this, we have had to undertake the remodelling of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in the midst of one of the worst historical situations in the world economy, which has had a very special impact on the construction industry.”

Last season, the Bernabéu’s capacity was limited to roughly 63,000 people. The attendance for this season’s first match was about 67,000, and after the rebuilding project is done, the stadium’s full capacity will be back around 80,000.

According to real projections, the increase in revenue from the stadium’s full commercial availability will begin in January 2024 and proceed gradually. As a result, the club expects stadium revenues to climb significantly, with further increases expected in 2024-25, when the renovated Bernabéu is fully operational.

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Community consultation opens for Ashburton’s Warner Reserve pavilion upgrade

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Image Credit: City of Boroondara

Community consultation has opened on the proposed redevelopment of the Warner Reserve pavilion in Ashburton. Early planning is underway to modernise the facility and improve amenities for local sporting clubs and community users.

The city of Boroondara has received $80,000 in Victorian Government funding to prepare concept designs. They will undertake community consultation as part of planning for the proposed upgrade.

While construction is currently scheduled for the 2032-33 financial year, the project could be brought forward if additional funding is secured.

The proposed redevelopment would see existing pavilion replaced with a modern facility better positioned to service the reserve. Plans include two new changerooms with toilets and showers, a multipurpose community space with a kitchen and canteen, a first aid room, umpire facilities, an externally accessible public toilet and a covered spectator viewing area.

The proposed new look pavilion at Warner Reserve. Image Credit: City of Boroondara

The concept also allows for the future addition of two extra changerooms, should participation levels continue to grow.

As part of the proposal, the existing playground would be relocated to improve visibility and open space within the reserve. Six trees identified for removal would also be replaced with new plantings elsewhere in Warner Reserve.

Residents, sporting clubs and reserve users are encouraged to provide feedback on the proposal before consultation closes on 15 September. Feedback will help refine the concept design before the project progresses to future planning and funding stages.

If delivered, the redevelopment is expected to improve facilities for local sporting clubs and community groups while providing more inclusive amenities to support growing participation across community sport.

SBS confirms exclusive Australian rights to 2030 FIFA World Cup

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Editorial credit: kovop

SBS has officially secured the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, meaning Australians will again be able to watch all 104 matches of the tournament live and free. The network will carry the tournament across television, video and radio and, as with 2026, all games will be streamed via SBS On Demand. 

The agreement was confirmed on 1 September, and will see the long-running partnership between the broadcaster and FIFA extend to 44 years. SBS first broadcast the World Cup 1986, when Argentina won the tournament in Mexico.

SBS Managing Director Jane Palfreyman said the World Cup remained central to the broadcaster’s role in Australian football, bringing Australians together across cultures, languages and communities.

The new deal follows a strong 2026 edition. More than 18 million Australians watched the coverage, while SBS also recorded more than 209 million hours of consumption across its World Cup content. Approximately 55 per cent of this consumption came via digital platforms. SBS offered full matches alongside shorter ‘mini match’ recaps through SBS On Demand.

First reporting that SBS and FIFA had extended their partnership emerged in July, although had remained unconfirmed until this point.

The latest announcement confirms that reporting. The earlier report also highlighted the importance of the deal for Australian football fans. SBS would retain a free-to-air pathway to every World Cup match. The deal also gives certainty around one of the biggest sporting properties in the world. This is particularly relevant as FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino come under increased pressure.

The 2022 edition saw FIFA increase its valuation over broadcast rights, with key markets such as China having a price tag of $349 million ($250 million USD) from the governing body. For Australian football, the significance goes beyond the tournament itself.

The World Cup remains one of the sport’s biggest drivers of mainstream attention. Keeping every match live and free gives Australian fans continued access to the competition without a subscription barrier.

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