The Riazor Stadium reform would be completed in June 2026

Less than three years. This is the time that, according to the city council of A Coruña, it would take to carry out the reform of the city’s stadium Riazor in order to adapt to the requirements of FIFA and with a capacity of 48,000 spectators, with the addition of a third ring level.

As promised at last month’s meeting in the Hercules capital, the city government yesterday sent the project implementation plan and the financing proposal to the Spanish Federation, which were the two demands imposed on it by the emissaries. Portugal’s bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

September start date

Therefore, the council undertakes to start carrying out all the procedures and works next September, after it is known whether Spain is the venue for the international event. By then, it will be known whether A Coruña is one of the eleven tracks chosen by our country. Portugal and Morocco would share the rest. Whether Ukraine will enter or, ultimately, remain outside has not yet been decided.

In terms of funding, the document presented by the executive chaired by Inés Rey confirms that it has the full support of the Xunta de Galicia. It does not specify which part of the total projected 65 million euros would be borne by the autonomous community and which by the city, since it is still intended that a good percentage of the contribution comes from private capital. However, until the hall concession is secured, it is impossible to find a company to commit to sponsoring the field.

There is a more detailed plan for the implementation of the project, which would begin on September 30 with the preparation of the last phase of documentation. A month later, the works would be approved and the tender announced, and in June 2024, the performance would begin, which would last two years.

Heliport in Las Esclavas

From then on, the City Council would need another six months to adapt the environment of Riazor to the requirements of the body that governs international football. Among other areas, it would adapt the helicopter landing and takeoff area on the Las Esclavas esplanade.

There are currently nine grounds eligible to host World Cup first leg matches: Bernabéu, Metropolitano, Camp Nou, La Cartuja, San Mamés, Anoeta, Real Club Deportivo Espanyol Stadium, La Rosaleda and Mestalla. The first five will surely be among the chosen ones. Riazor is fighting the other four plus El Molinón, La Romareda, Nueva Condomina and Balaídos. Of these nine, three will be left out of the election. Some sources suggest that Galicia will have it, so the fight could be kept in the olive field.

In addition to a realistic and sustainable project, A Coruña has two strengths in its candidacy: the first is the support, executive and financial, of Xunte; secondly, the consolidated social mass that drives soccer and was highly valued by the emissaries sent to the city last month. Above, another 30 municipalities complied with Marija Pita’s request. They are the strength that their rivals lack.