Real Madrid is on track for a highly successful season in 2023/24.
Los Blancos entered March at the top of La Liga, with a seven-point lead over their closest rival, Girona, and an eight-point lead over defending champions Barcelona.
They are also in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, meaning the two biggest trophies on offer for Carlo Ancelotti and his players are still up for grabs as the season draws to a close. There is also the possibility of a free transfer deal for Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé, which would galvanize both the club and La Liga if it comes to fruition.
However, both Mbappé’s possible introduction to Madrid fans and his final match of the La Liga season against Real Betis could be affected for a reason very unrelated to football: namely, pop sensation Taylor Swift and her Eras Tour world tour, which will land in the Spanish capital in May.
Confused? The Jugo Mobile is available to (try to) explain.
Taylor Swift and Real Madrid: La Liga match against Real Betis moved
The stops on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Madrid have already been a headache for La Liga’s programming.
The Athletic reported in February that Real Madrid had asked the league to change the date of its match against Real Betis, its final match of the 2023/24 league season, due to concerts scheduled at its stadium.
Taylor Swift will perform at the Santiago Bernabéu on May 29 and 30, while Madrid’s match against Betis was initially scheduled just three days before. The club asked La Liga to move its match to Saturday, May 25, easing the logistical problems of preparing the venue for a pop concert after a football match.
The Athletic then reported on February 28 that the request had been granted, although La Liga has not yet announced any details.
Could other La Liga matches be affected by Taylor Swift’s concert?
There is a possibility that the entire final day of La Liga 2023/24 will be affected by the decision to move the Madrid match.
Spain, like other major leagues around the world, stipulates that matches must be played simultaneously on the final day of the campaign, provided the result of one of them has a demonstrable impact on another in regards to the final league positions. .
As of March 8, Madrid had a seven-point lead at the top of the table with 11 games remaining. If they can maintain that lead, they will officially be crowned champions with a win against Deportivo Alavés on May 15, two weeks before the final round.
However, Betis is sixth in the standings and in the fight for European places, a race that will probably go to the end. This means that, even if the title race ends on the last day, it is likely that teams like Real Sociedad, Las Palmas or Valencia will see their game moved and play on the same day as Betis.
If the title is still not won, Girona (and possibly Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid) would also have to play on the same day as Real Madrid and Betis.
It could end up being a difficult time for the organizers.
Could Taylor Swift affect Kylian Mbappé’s presentation?
There is another topic surrounding the Taylor Swift Eras Tour: the possible presentation of Kylian Mbappé as a new Real Madrid player.
The French star is expected to sign for Los Blancos on a free transfer at the end of 2023/24 after telling Paris Saint-Germain that he would not sign a new contract, although nothing has been officially announced yet.
When Madrid makes a significant signing of this type, it traditionally holds a special event at the Santiago Bernabéu. Cristiano Ronaldo was introduced to a near-capacity crowd following his then-world-record transfer from Manchester United in 2009, and Mbappé would likely generate a similar level of interest.
According brand, if Real Madrid reaches the UEFA Champions League final, which will be held on June 1 at Wembley Stadium, then it would not organize Mbappé’s presentation until a few days later. However, if they don’t make it all the way to that final, they would look to host Mbappé’s ceremony the same week as the Eras Tour performances, as the stadium would already be set up to showcase a global superstar and his fans.
This would undoubtedly pose some logistical problems for stadium staff, not to mention the pressure it would put on transport networks with fans attending the different events that week. Of course, Madrid must ensure they have signed Mbappé before worrying about this.
