There’s just over a week to go before Shakira’s European residency in Madrid begins, which will transform the Iberdrola Music venue in Villaverde into “Macondo Park.” It is estimated that the massive venue—designed around the Shakira Stadium and built specifically for the 12 concerts the artist will give as part of her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour”—will draw around 57,000 attendees each concert day.
Given the large crowds, traffic issues are expected in the area surrounding the venue, south of the Villaverde Alto-Casco Histórico neighborhood in Villaverde. In this regard, the Madrid City Council has already announced the launch of a traffic management plan that aims, in principle, to facilitate travel for both concertgoers and other affected road users.
Access to and from the venue for Shakira’s concerts in Madrid
Shakira’s European residency will take place on the weekends of September 18 and 25 (Friday through Sunday) and October 1 and 9. On those days, to avoid potential crowds, the general venue will open at 12:00 p.m., while the gates granting access to the stadium’s floor and stands will open at 8:00 p.m. After the concerts, which will end around 11:00 p.m., the venue will be gradually cleared until 1:00 a.m. the following day.
The Iberdrola Music venue is bounded by Avenida Real de Pinto, the M-45 highway, Camino de la Rabia, and Calle Laguna Dalga. The main entrance for the general public and people with limited mobility will be located on the latter street.
That is where the planned pedestrian access routes from the various modes of transportation (whether from the Villaverde Alto station or the San Cristóbal Industrial station) will converge. Once the concerts are over, exit routes to public transportation are also planned from Laguna Dalga Street itself.
Upon exiting, the taxi waiting area will be located on San Eustaquio Street, between San Norberto and Resina Street. In addition, the Kiss & Ride zone for passengers getting in and out of private vehicles will be located on the section of Calle de la Acebeda starting at the intersection with Calle San Ezequiel. Pre-booked ride-hailing vehicles (VTC) may pick up passengers on Calle Valle Tobalina at the intersection with Calle San Ezequiel.
For public transportation, additional service will be provided on Metro lines 3 and 12, and a free shuttle will run to Atocha
Metro and Commuter Rail
To access the venue where Shakira’s concerts will be held, the Madrid City Council recommends using public transportation:
- Metro: the Villaverde Alto (Line 3) and Los Espartales (Line 12) stations, which will operate during their regular service hours (from 6:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.). The main change on concert days will be that after the event ends (between 12:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m.), there will be additional trains on Metro lines 3 and 12.
- Commuter Rail: The closest stations to the venue are Villaverde Alto ( lines C4a, C4b, and C5) and San Cristóbal Industrial (line C3). They will also maintain their regular operating hours, from 5:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Intercity and EMT buses
In addition, there are many intercity bus routes with stops near the area, namely: 428, 432, 428, 432, 441, 442, 443, 446, 447, 448, 450, 455, 461, and 488, and the night routes N805 and N807. You can also take EMT bus routes 22, 79, T41, and N14. However, their routes may be subject to detours due to traffic disruptions; you can check for updates on the EMT website.
Near the Iberdrola Music venue, there are also two BiciMAD stations: one at 38 Domingo Párraga Street and another on Transversal Sexta Street, right next to the Villaverde Alto and San Cristóbal Industrial stations.
Free shuttle service to Atocha
In addition, from 11:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., the EMT will operate a free electric bus shuttle service. The buses will pick up passengers on Gran Vía de Villaverde Avenue, near San Jenaro Street, and will make stops at Plaza de Legazpi and Atocha. The service will run every 7.5 to 15 minutes, and the travel time will range from 14 to 35 minutes.
Traffic closures on the M-45 and other streets in the area
Those traveling through the municipalities south of Madrid will have to contend with traffic closures in the vicinity of the Iberdrola Music venue. On concert days, parking restrictions will be in effect starting at 3:00 p.m. on Laguna Dalga, Laguna de Cameros, San Eustaquio, Laguna del Marquesado, Resina, and Calle de la Acebeda streets. Details regarding closures on specific street segments are available on the Madrid City Council’s website.
In addition, the usual connection between Getafe and Villaverde Alto via the roundabout under the M-45 will be closed. The access road from Getafe to the M-45 East will be closed to traffic, as will the access roads from the M-45 East to Avenida Real de Pinto and the U-turn at the entrance from the M-45 West via Getafe. These traffic closures may be extended during the event itself, as deemed necessary by the Municipal Police.
However, traffic will be able to use the exit from Avenida Real de Pinto toward the M-45 West, the direct entrance from the M-45 West toward Getafe (without going around the roundabout), and the exit from Getafe to the M-45 by using the inner lane at the roundabout and exiting onto the M-45 West.
Regarding parking, there will be two parking areas inside the venue, with a total of 648 standard spaces and 22 spaces for people with limited mobility. However, only those holding a specific type of ticket or pass will be able to use them.