Google Maps Hacked: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium Suddenly Renamed. Google Maps users noticed that the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium appeared under a different name. Soon after, other famous arenas were also renamed. How did this happen, and what should you do if you encounter a similar situation? Read our report.
The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid unexpectedly found itself at the center of a digital scandal: when zooming in on Google Maps, its name changed to 'Knockout de Tchouaméni.' Users from various countries noticed this glitch, and the situation quickly became the subject of discussion on social media. At first glance, searching by name worked correctly, but upon closer examination of the location, a new, clearly ironic label appeared.
The cause was a wave of attacks on the Google Maps platform, as a result of which the names of several Spanish football stadiums were changed. In addition to the Madrid stadium, 'Camp Nou' was temporarily renamed 'Negreira,' and 'Metropolitano' received the name 'Antarctica.' All these new labels referred to football memes and controversies, which only fueled interest in the incident.
Particular attention was drawn to the choice of name for 'Santiago Bernabéu.' 'Knockout de Tchouaméni' is a direct reference to the recent conflict between Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, which was discussed in football circles. Such digital pranks often emerge during tense weeks for the club, when interest in it is especially high.
The glitch affected not only fans: many users, unaware of the joke, could have mistaken the changed names for official ones. Google Maps left the erroneous labels visible for several hours, allowing them to spread across the internet in the form of screenshots and discussions.
What to do if you see a strange name
Experts advise not to take such labels as official information. If you see an unexpected name when searching for a stadium or other venue, it is worth checking how it appears in search results and when zooming in on the map. Do not share screenshots with incorrect names as confirmed facts — such glitches are usually fixed quickly.
A similar situation with unexpected changes in digital services has already been discussed in the Spanish media. For example, the recent launch of a new cultural TV channel drew attention, and you can learn more in the article about the launch of Arte España.
The Google Maps incident shows that even the most familiar digital tools can become targets for pranks or attacks. This is a reminder for users: trust only official sources, and treat unexpected changes with caution.
