Madrid is set to launch Gemswell Surf Madrid, a €60 million surf and leisure complex featuring Europe’s largest artificial wave lagoon. The project, nearing half completion, promises surf sessions, wellness facilities, concerts, and diverse dining, with opening planned for spring 2027.
Construction of Gemswell Surf Madrid, a €60 million surf and leisure destination adjacent to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, has reached 40% completion. The ambitious project is on track to finish building by February 2027, with a two-month testing phase to follow before opening to the public in spring. Once operational, the complex expects to attract around 500,000 visitors annually and deliver approximately 180,000 hours of surfing each year.
At the heart of the development is a 23,000-square-metre artificial lagoon—roughly the size of two football pitches—engineered to offer a range of wave experiences. The lagoon, 181 metres wide and up to 2.9 metres deep, will hold nearly 30,000 cubic metres of water. It is divided into two main areas: Bahía, designed for beginners, and Reef, catering to advanced surfers. Up to 120 people can participate in each hourly session, with Wavegarden technology generating a new wave every eight seconds and offering over 20 different wave types, reaching heights of up to two metres. A dedicated surf academy will provide lessons for children as young as four, as well as advanced training programmes.
Beyond Surfing
Gemswell Surf Madrid is conceived as more than just a sports facility. The main building, spanning two floors and 6,000 square metres, will house a social club, gym, pilates and yoga studios, two saunas, a contrast pool, and changing rooms. Four additional pools—including two 25-metre lanes—will complement the main lagoon. The venue is designed to accommodate up to 2,850 guests at a time and will feature a surfskate area, concert spaces, a specialist surf shop, and parking for around 860 vehicles.
The culinary offering will cover over 3,000 square metres across five restaurants, ranging from family-friendly to youth-oriented concepts, with some venues accessible independently from the sports area and open from breakfast through dinner.
Economic Impact and Backers
The €60 million investment is led by Atlético de Madrid and Stoneweg InfraSports, a partnership between Stoneweg and Teras Capital. Financing includes a syndicated loan from Santander and BBVA, alongside €15.7 million in European funds. The project is expected to create between 180 and 200 jobs, with projected annual revenues of €20 million.
Sustainability Debate
Water usage has sparked debate among environmental groups. The lagoon will be initially filled via the Canal de Isabel II network and maintained with a filtration and recirculation system. A stormwater reservoir is planned to recover up to 7,000 cubic metres of water annually. However, the Plataforma Ecologista Madrileña has called for a halt to construction, citing estimated annual evaporation losses of 32,200 cubic metres and total consumption between 38,000 and 42,000 cubic metres. Project promoters highlight the site's "Very Good" BREEAM sustainability rating and plans for extensive landscaping and shaded areas.
Madrid’s growing appeal as a leisure and tourism hub is further underscored by recent developments in the region, such as the arrival of Royal Caribbean’s flagship cruise liner in Málaga, which showcased the city’s capacity for large-scale tourism infrastructure. For more on this trend, see the coverage of the cruise ship’s debut here.
As the city prepares for the opening of Gemswell Surf Madrid, the project stands as a symbol of Madrid’s evolving urban landscape—balancing economic ambition, recreational innovation, and the ongoing challenge of environmental responsibility.
