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| Caja Mágica | |
|---|---|
| Name | Caja Mágica |
| Location | Madrid, Spain |
| Opened | 2009 |
| Owner | Community of Madrid |
| Capacity | 12,000 |
| Architect | Dominique Perrault |
Caja Mágica is a multi-purpose sporting and cultural complex located in Madrid, Spain. Designed by Dominique Perrault and opened in 2009, the venue is noted for its retractable roof and flexible configuration for tennis, basketball, and concerts. It has hosted major events including the Mutua Madrid Open, matches for Real Madrid Baloncesto, and various international cultural performances.
Construction began as part of urban regeneration projects tied to the Madrid Río redevelopment and the legacy of bids for events like the 2012 Olympics and initiatives led by the Community of Madrid. The complex was inaugurated amid debates involving the City Council of Madrid, the Spanish Ministry of Culture, and private sponsors such as Mutua Madrileña and financial entities. Early controversies echoed disputes similar to those surrounding venues like the Wembley Stadium and the Olympic Stadium (Athens), involving cost, planning, and long-term use. Over time the site has been integrated into Madrid’s calendar alongside institutions such as the Museo del Prado, the Teatro Real, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium through coordinated cultural programming.
The project, led by architect Dominique Perrault with engineering partners akin to firms that worked on projects like the Millau Viaduct and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, features a striking exterior of dark metal and timber reminiscent of contemporary works by Norman Foster and Renzo Piano. Key elements include a trio of courts under a retractable roof system influenced by mechanisms used at venues such as Wimbledon's Centre Court and the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Structural engineering drew upon practices comparable to those used on the Burj Khalifa foundations and the Millennium Stadium, while acoustical planning referenced concert halls like the Royal Albert Hall. Landscape integration connected the site to the Manzanares River banks and urban corridors similar to Madrid projects near the Plaza de Cibeles and the Paseo del Prado.
The complex comprises three main arenas, training courts, player facilities, hospitality suites, and media centers designed to standards seen at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, the Roland Garros grounds, and the United States Open. Facilities include locker rooms used by athletes from organizations such as Real Madrid CF and Atlético Madrid during cross-sport exhibitions, medical suites equipped with technology comparable to that in FIFA World Cup venues, and broadcast facilities that have hosted networks like Televisión Española and international partners similar to Eurosport and ESPN. The site’s backstage has accommodated productions associated with promoters like Live Nation and festivals akin to Sónar.
Caja Mágica is principally known for hosting the Mutua Madrid Open, an event on both the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour, attracting players from the ATP and the WTA such as Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, and Simona Halep. The tournament’s clay and blue surface experiments prompted discussion alongside surfaces at Monte-Carlo Masters and Internazionali BNL d'Italia. Matches have featured rivalries comparable to historic contests at the French Open and the Australian Open, with champions receiving rankings points overseen by the ITF. Event operations involve tournament directors linked to structures seen in events like the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup.
Beyond tennis, the venue has hosted basketball fixtures involving clubs similar to Real Madrid Baloncesto and events like the ACB playoffs, boxing nights comparable to bouts held at the Madison Square Garden, and exhibitions in martial arts akin to UFC shows. Cultural programming has included concerts by artists on par with performers at the Palau Sant Jordi and the Barclaycard Arena, theatrical productions associated with companies like the Compañía Nacional de Teatro Clásico, and festivals resembling Mad Cool Festival. The venue’s flexibility enabled collaborations with institutions such as the Museo Reina Sofía and event promoters active in the European festival circuit.
The complex is accessible via Madrid’s transport network including services by Metro de Madrid, Cercanías Madrid, and bus lines operated by the Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid. Nearby stations and interchanges offer connections to major hubs like Atocha railway station and Chamartín railway station, facilitating attendee access from airports including Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport. Road access links to the M-30 and A-42 motorways, with parking and pedestrian routes integrated into municipal plans similar to those used around the Estadio Metropolitano and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
Category:Sports venues in Madrid Category:Tennis venues in Spain