Written by Evangelical Focus
Madrid’s Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium hosted The Change Madrid 2026 on Saturday 2 May, a massive evangelical Christian gathering that brought together about 35,000 people.
The event combined gospel music, well-known worship leaders, collective prayer and preaching on a day marked by a call to conversion to Christ, evangelism and the unity of believers around Jesus Christ.
The event brought together attendees from various countries, with a notable presence of young people and evangelical communities of Latin American origin, as well as participants from Europe and Africa.
The gathering began with a performance by an international gospel choir comprising hundreds of voices, which sang classic hymns and led into an extended period of congregational worship. Artists such as BeBe Winans, Marcos Brunet, Débora Romo, Kike Pavón and MOG Music, among others, took to the stage.
The songs, alternating between English and Spanish, were interspersed with moments of prayer and intercession for personal and societal needs. The organisers emphasised the purpose of the event: to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and to launch a new era of Christian witness in Spain.
The songs, alternating between English and Spanish, were interspersed with moments of prayer and intercession for personal and societal needs. The organisers emphasised the purpose of the event: to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and to launch a new era of Christian witness in Spain.
During the opening messages, it was emphasised that “unity is not uniformity” and that the Christian faith remains relevant in today’s world. The message centred on the Gospel, the work of Christ, and the need for a personal response.
Former football star Dani Alves: “In prison, Christ set me free”
One of the highlights of the evening was the address by Dani Alves, former FC Barcelona player, who publicly shared his testimony of faith following his time in prison.
“I spent 14 months in prison, but in prison Christ set me free,” he told the stadium. In a speech marked by biblical references, he added: “I lost everything, but in losing everything I found Jesus.”
Alves encouraged those present to seek personal transformation in Christ: “I don’t know what prisons you are facing, but Christ can break down those walls.” His address resonated with the day’s overall emphasis on conversion and life transformation.
A call to decision and evangelism
Following the music segment, several international preachers delivered messages centred on the Gospel. Among them, the Portuguese pastor Rodrigues Pereira drew on the parable of the prodigal son to invite attendees to return “to the Father’s house”.
Those wishing to make a decision of faith were encouraged to express it by switching on the torch on their mobile phones, in a symbolic gesture that lit up the stadium. This was followed by a prayer of personal commitment to Christ.
The programme also included prayers for healing, times of mutual intercession amongst attendees, and exhortations to live out their faith actively. Preachers such as Nick Hall emphasised the need for a “Jesus revolution” and encouraged those present to be a light in their surroundings.
Diversity of evangelicalism
The gathering reflected the diversity of the global evangelical world, both in styles and in emphasis. Some participants highlighted the role of evangelism accompanied by prayers for healing, whilst others emphasised personal commitment, holiness and service.
In the closing remarks, several leaders prayed for Spain, asking for a spiritual revival and for the gospel to have an impact on society. “There is no place too difficult for the Kingdom of God,” was proclaimed from the stage.
Similar events in Europe
The Change Madrid 2026 is part of a series of similar gatherings held across Europe, with the aim of mobilising believers and promoting the public proclamation of the Gospel.
In the hours before the massive event, there were workshops on evangelism and several street outreach initiatives happening around Madrid.
The organisers summarised the gathering on social media with a message: “Prayers answered on a night that transforms souls. Spain, your time has come.”
The gathering concluded after several hours of music and preaching in a festive and participatory atmosphere, leaving the image of a stadium full of attendees singing and praying together as a visible expression of the vitality of the evangelical movement.
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Date published: 10/05/2026
Feature images supplied by source
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