Real Madrid has officially opened its presidential election process, with the club’s Electoral Board beginning candidate submissions on Thursday.
The submission window will remain open until May 23, according to the official election timetable released by the club.
Current president, Florentino Perez, triggered the snap election during a press conference as he seeks another mandate from club members.
The move comes after a difficult season for the Spanish giants, who failed to win major trophies for the second consecutive campaign while rivals Barcelona secured the La Liga title.
Perez, who was re-elected unopposed in January 2025, has confirmed he will contest again.
Under the club’s electoral rules, candidates and their proposed boards must provide a financial guarantee worth 15 per cent of Real Madrid’s annual budget.
With the club’s current budget standing at €1.28bn, contenders are required to secure a personal wealth-backed guarantee of about €187m.
The club’s statutes also require presidential candidates to be Spanish nationals and to have maintained uninterrupted club membership for at least 20 years.
Candidates are also barred from holding executive, coaching, refereeing or active playing roles at other football clubs.
The election process will include verification of the electoral register between May 14 and May 18 before the Electoral Board validates or rejects submitted candidacies.
A two-day appeal period will follow after notifications are issued.
If more than one candidacy is approved, voting will be scheduled at a later date, with reports projecting a possible election around June 7.
If no challenger successfully registers, Perez will automatically remain president for another four-year term.
Reports have linked Enrique Riquelme with a possible challenge.
Riquelme, the 37-year-old president of renewable energy company Cox, is reportedly considering entering the race after seeking more time to prepare his platform.
Perez reportedly rejected calls for an extension, referencing his own successful challenge during the club’s 2000 presidential election.
