Florentino Pérez has caught the football world by surprise by announcing early presidential elections for Real Madrid, moving them up from the original 2028 schedule. This marks the first potential competitive race at the Santiago Bernabéu since 2006, ending years of Pérez winning by acclamation.
When are the Real Madrid 2026 Elections?
The club officially announced on Thursday the opening of the nomination process.
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Nomination Period: Candidates must submit their files between May 14th and May 23rd, 2026.
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Validation: Applications will be accepted or rejected the day after submission.
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Election Date: If multiple candidates qualify, the electoral commission will then announce the specific date and location for the voting process. As of now, the final election day is yet to be determined.
Key Candidates and Projects
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Florentino Pérez: The incumbent president has confirmed he will run again, famously stating: “I will not resign; I am in great health and I challenge everyone.”
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Enrique Riquelme: The prominent Spanish businessman is seriously considering a run. Reports suggest he is already in talks with Jurgen Klopp to lead his new sporting project.
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Eugenio Martínez Bravo: A businessman who previously attempted to run in 2009 is once again being mentioned as a potential contender.
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Rafael Nadal: Despite rumors, the tennis legend has officially announced he has no intention of running for the presidency at this time.
