Real Madrid set June 7 election date as Florentino Perez faces first challenger since 2006

Real Madrid will hold a presidential election on Sunday, June 7, 2026, the club’s electoral board confirmed on Tuesday — the first time members have gone to the polls since 2006. Florentino Perez, president since 2009, will stand against challenger Enrique Riquelme, whose candidacy was confirmed over the weekend.

The electoral board’s official statement set voting hours from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Basketball Pavilion of the Real Madrid City complex on Avenida Alejandro de la Sota in Madrid, where polling stations will be installed. All members on the electoral roll will be notified directly.

Perez called the election following back-to-back seasons without a major trophy, a run that triggered visible supporter unrest during matches, with protests directed at the president as well as high-profile players including Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham.

Despite that pressure, Perez enters the vote as the overwhelming favourite. His tenure has coincided with one of the most decorated periods in the club’s history, and Riquelme faces the considerable task of persuading the 79-year-old’s established support base to switch allegiances.

The outcome of the election also has direct implications for the club’s managerial situation. Reports indicate that an agreement has already been reached with José Mourinho to return to the Bernabéu — 13 years after his first spell in charge — but his appointment has been placed on hold pending the result of the vote. Should Perez win, a swift move to confirm Mourinho as manager is expected to follow.