Requirements to Become President of Real Madrid
On May 12, 2026, Florentino Pérez announced the call for elections for the presidency of Real Madrid, where he intends to run for re-election. According to the club’s bylaws, those interested must meet certain stringent requirements, such as providing a bank guarantee of €187 million and being a member for at least twenty years.
The €187 million guarantee corresponds to 15% of the club’s overall budget, which reached a record €1.248 billion for the 2025-2026 season.
Pérez commented, “I will not resign. I have requested the Board to initiate the election process for the Board of Directors, which we intend to participate in.” He also mentioned, “People say there are shadows moving to present themselves; let them present. I invite anyone wishing to run to do so. I will defend the interests of Real Madrid’s members.”
Candidacy Requirements
To qualify as a candidate for President or a member of the Board of Directors, the following requirements must be met:
General Qualifications
- Must be Spanish.
- Must be of legal age and have full legal capacity.
- Must be up-to-date with social duty compliance.
- Must be a club member with at least twenty uninterrupted years of membership (nineteen for the President, fifteen for Vice Presidents, and ten for other positions).
- Must not be subject to any penalties rendering them ineligible for executive positions.
- Must not hold executive roles in other football clubs or actively be a player, referee, coach, or technician at the time of candidacy proclamation.
- Must provide a bank guarantee in accordance with Law 10/1990 and other applicable regulations, as outlined in the requirements.
Candidacy Submission Requirements
Candidacies must be submitted within the specified timeframe to the club and the Electoral Board in duplicate, fulfilling the following conditions:
- Must express at least the President’s name and a minimum of nine other members.
- Must be signed by the candidates with a legally recognized signature and formal acceptance declaration.
- Must include a preliminary bank guarantee from a recognized financial entity, ensuring at least 15% of the club’s total annual budget. This guarantee becomes definitive if the candidacy is elected as president and board members.
- The guarantee must state that it was granted based on the personal assets of the candidates, solely secured by their personal wealth.
Candidacy Examination Process
Within one day of presentation, the Electoral Board will evaluate the candidacies. If they meet all established requirements, the board will proclaim them; otherwise, the candidacy may be declared null and void.
The Electoral Board can require additional information to ensure that the guarantee is not based on assets belonging to individuals outside the candidacy. Moreover, they may regulate and establish necessary conditions related to the preliminary guarantee as indicated in the bylaws.
A challenge against the Electoral Board’s decision can be filed within two business days, with a resolution expected also within two business days.