Madrid is building Gemswell Surf Madrid, an artificial surf lagoon next to Atlético de Madrid’s Metropolitano stadium. The €60 million complex in San Blas-Canillejas is part of the club’s future Ciudad del Deporte and is scheduled to open in spring 2027.
It's said to be Europe’s largest artificial wave pool, and promoters expect more than 500,000 visitors a year. It's located 15 minutes from the city centre and will offer year-round surfing, alongside leisure, dining and sports facilities.
Surf lagoon plans
The development will cover 23,000 m² and contain 30,000 cubic metres of water supplied by Canal de Isabel II. It will have space for up to 120 surfers simultaneously, split between two zones, one for beginners and another for experienced surfers.
The planned waves could reach two metres in height. The system will offer more than 20 configurations and, according to the company, could produce as many as 1,000 waves an hour.
Gemswell’s construction update says the main building’s structure is complete and work has started on the façade. Work is also continuing on the lagoon’s shores, with construction of the lagoon floor due to begin.
The site will include a 5,500 m² artificial beach, concert area, restaurants, children’s play areas, beach-sport courts and an activity zone.
Concerns over water and local impact
The Plataforma Ecologista Madrileña estimates annual water losses through evaporation at 32,200 cubic metres, potentially reaching 184,000 litres during the summer months.
It puts overall water consumption at 42,000 cubic metres, including other activities, which it says is equivalent to the household use of more than 800 people over a year and a half.
The group says the development did not undergo the required environmental assessment, adding that this was one reason a court annulled the special urban-development plan on which it was based.
Atlético de Madrid says the facility received a favourable assessment under the EU’s Do No Significant Harm principle, which covers six environmental objectives.
The Asociación Vecinal Las Musas – Las Rosas de San Blas also opposes the scheme. It has raised concerns about the broader commercial development around the stadium, planned parking capacity and possible traffic congestion on local streets.
This article is based on information published in the original Spanish article by idealista/news, supplemented by details provided on the Gemswell website.
