ABSTRACT
While giving a historical overview of the Atlético/Real rivalry, this essay aims at scrutinizing the building blocks of this cross-city rivalry by analyzing key demographic, social and economic factors at work. First, it explains the cartographic dimensions of both clubs within the Madrid urban space, studying their shifting geographic status while examining supporters’ patterns of behaviour, paying close attention at how Real global branding has turned Santiago Bernabéu into a central touristic destination whereas old (now replaced) Vicente Calderón prided itself of being and old-fashion, locally populated ground. In addition, it looks at celebration gatherings and rallies and other manifestations of team fandom to pinpoint the key differences between both teams in their functioning within the broader cultural sphere. Finally, it studies in depth how different types of ownership have moulded the contemporary development of both clubs.
