The club explained in a statement that the nomination period will remain open for ten days, until May 23.

Strict eligibility requirements for candidates

Among the eligibility requirements is that the candidate must have been a member of the club for 20 years and provide a financial guarantee of €187 million (US$219 million), equivalent to 15% of the club's annual budget, backed by personal assets.

Pérez expected to run for re-election

Pérez, who was re-elected unopposed in January 2025 for a four-year term, announced during a press conference on Tuesday that he would be running again.

Spanish media outlets reported that Enrique Riquelme, head of the Cox Group, is considering a bid, while requesting more time to prepare his candidacy. In response, Pérez said in an interview with La Sexta: “When I ran in the 2000 elections, I didn’t ask for more time; I ran and I won.”

If more than one candidate comes forward, the electoral council will announce the date and location of the election in due course. If no challengers emerge, Pérez, 79, is expected to retain his position, as in previous election cycles.