It the most substantial fine issued in relation to the 2025 events monitored at the stadium. Photo credit: Ben Houdijk/Shutterstock
According to information provided by Madrid City Council’s Directorate-General for Sustainability and Environmental Control, Municipal Police carried out measurements during the AC/DC concert which recorded sound levels between five and ten decibels above authorised limits during night-time hours. Under Madrid’s environmental noise regulations, exceedances of this magnitude can be classified as serious or very serious infringements depending on the time period and degree of deviation from authorised levels. In this case, the breach was classified as “very serious”, triggering a significant financial penalty.
The regulations establish that exceedances of more than seven decibels at night, or more than ten decibels during daytime and evening hours, may be treated as very serious violations. The readings recorded during the concert were therefore considered sufficiently high to justify the maximum classification applied. The resulting sanction amounted to €80,800.80, making it the most substantial fine issued in relation to the 2025 events monitored at the stadium.
Wider set of fines issued for events at the stadium
The AC/DC concert was not an isolated case. It formed part of a broader set of enforcement actions linked to events held at the Metropolitano during 2025. An Imagine Dragons concert on 28 June 2025 was fined €500 after inspectors recorded noise levels four decibels above permitted night-time limits. This breach was classified as a minor infringement under the same regulatory framework.
Separately, the International Madcup Youth Football Tournament, held on 23 June 2025, was fined €180 following measurements that detected a four-decibel exceedance during daytime hours. This was also treated as a minor infringement. Together, these cases illustrate a range of enforcement outcomes depending on the severity of the noise breach and the time at which it occurred.
29 inspections carried out across 2025
Madrid City Council confirmed that Municipal Police carried out 29 noise inspections during events at the Metropolitano throughout 2025.
Of these inspections:
- 14 confirmed full compliance with authorised noise levels
- 4 identified breaches of permitted limits
- The remaining inspections were invalid due to procedural errors that prevented the results from being formally used
The data indicates that while the majority of monitored events complied with regulations, a significant minority did not meet required environmental standards, contributing to ongoing scrutiny of the stadium’s operations.
Long-running tensions with local residents
The findings have further intensified a long-standing dispute between residents living near the stadium and event organisers. Neighbourhood associations argue that the stadium generates persistent disruption linked to large-scale concerts and sporting events. Complaints have included excessive noise, traffic congestion, parking shortages, litter accumulation, and restrictions on movement during event days.
Residents have also raised concerns about the stadium’s physical structure, claiming that openings in the design allow sound to travel more easily into surrounding residential areas, amplifying the impact of concerts. The issue has become increasingly prominent in recent months, particularly amid a series of high-profile performances at the venue, including concerts by Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny. These events have renewed public discussion around the effectiveness of current noise control measures.
Mitigation measures introduced by city authorities
In response to ongoing complaints, Madrid City Council has implemented a range of mitigation measures aimed at reducing the acoustic impact of events at the stadium. These include the installation of 408 sound-absorbing panels, designed to reduce sound propagation beyond the stadium perimeter. Authorities have also introduced controls on the orientation of sound systems during concerts, as well as continuous monitoring of noise levels on nearby building façades.
In addition, the council has stated that concerts are generally required to conclude by 00:00, although events held on Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of public holidays may extend until 00:30 under current regulations. These measures are intended to balance the stadium’s role as a major entertainment venue with the need to protect surrounding residential areas from excessive noise exposure.
Ombudsman steps back as prosecutors investigate
Despite issuing findings and facilitating communication between residents and authorities, Spain’s Ombudsman, Ángel Gabilondo, has decided not to continue his own investigation into the matter. He stated that the case is already being examined by the Madrid Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, which opened environmental proceedings on March 9 this year.
The Ombudsman added that residents would be able to return to his office if the prosecutor’s investigation concludes that no criminal offence has taken place but administrative irregularities remain unresolved.
One of the most significant noise penalties linked to a Madrid venue
The €80,800.80 fine issued in relation to the AC/DC concert stands as one of the most significant noise-related sanctions associated with a major entertainment venue in Madrid in recent years.
The case underscores the continuing challenge faced by city authorities in regulating large-scale live events within densely populated urban areas, where competing interests between cultural programming and residential quality of life remain a persistent point of contention.
