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Madrid Río adds giant screens to follow the España-Bélgica match
Madrid Río is getting ready for the España-Bélgica match with two giant screens at Puente del Rey, one of the largest and most recognisable areas by the Manzanares. The event will take place this Friday, 10 July, at 21:00, with the national team playing for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.
The City Council will set up this new free viewing area to increase the city's capacity during one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. This measure adds to the screen at Plaza de Colón, which has already become a meeting point for thousands of fans during Spain's matches.
The choice of Madrid Río is no coincidence. Puente del Rey offers open space, good connections, and a location that helps distribute the public between the city centre and the Manzanares area. For many residents of the west and south of the city, it will be a more convenient alternative than travelling to Colón.
The atmosphere could be one of the great attractions of the night. Watching a match like this on a giant screen completely changes the experience: red shirts, groups of friends, families, flags, and that mix of nerves and celebration that only appears when the national team advances in a knockout stage.
The setup will also have an impact on mobility. Those heading to Madrid Río should expect more people than usual around Príncipe Pío, Puerta del Ángel, and the Puente del Rey area, especially before the match starts and after the broadcast ends.
The practical recommendation is to arrive with time to spare, use public transport, and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary. On a night with large crowds, walking, taking the Metro or Cercanías can save waiting times and complications at the entrances.
The España-Bélgica match also comes at a time of maximum anticipation, with Madrid seeking collective spaces to follow the World Cup without concentrating everything in a single spot. Colón will remain the great football symbol, but Madrid Río will allow people to experience the night in a more open way, closer to the river.
The installation of screens at Puente del Rey creates a very Madrid summer image: the city using its large public spaces to turn a match into a shared plan. This time, Madrid Río will not just be a place for walking or sport; it will be an open-air stand for those who want to watch Spain surrounded by people.