The machines surrounding Atletico Madrid’s stadium seem to be making more noise than its third name change. The new Ryadh Air Metropolitano, which will host an ice skating rink this Christmas, will be surrounded by a huge complex that will be known as a new sports city.
With an investment of 350 million euros and 265,000 square meters, the Espacio de Ocio y Multideporte project is expected to be ready in the first quarter of 2027, and includes such innovative facilities as a golf course, an artificial lagoon for surfing and an unprecedented space as far as Madrid’s sports are concerned: the Heart Beat Planet.
This pioneering 9,000-square-meter space, according to El Mundo, will be the world’s first indoor facility with a competition climbing stadium, equipped with bleachers for more than 400 people. It will also have a climbing wall and bouldering areas for all levels, a special area for children, pickleball courts, a crossfit and boxing center, and a skateboarding area.
A surfing area
One of its main attractions will be a surf lagoon created with technology from Wavegarden, known for its landmark installations in places like Melbourne.
The lagoon, which will feature up to 20 types of waves up to two meters high, will be accompanied by a surf school and surf store, a skatepark, bars, children’s entertainment areas and beach sports facilities. This innovative space aims to position itself as a world reference, merging sport, technology and entertainment in the capital.