Fast, cheap and good. Impossible? But that's what the Nueva Romareda project aims to do with Real Zaragoza's temporary move to a portable stadium. The counter-intuitive solution will speed up the upgrade of the Aragonés venue by nearly two years, allowing enough time to prepare Romareda for the 2030 World Cup.

Will the project odyssey come to an end?

Since 2002, when Spain hoped to host Euro 2004, eventually awarded to Portugal, several projects have already been presented for the modernisation, redevelopment of Estadio de La Romareda or the construction of a completely new facility for Real Zaragoza, currently playing in the Segunda División. None of these have been realised in the 20 years since, but the new vision presented in April is getting closer to being fulfilled.

According to Nueva Romareda's designer, the renowned Spanish architectural firm IDOM, in its new guise the venue is to be a state-of-the-art technology-supplied and an example of sustainability that will create the best possible atmosphere on matchday and beyond. It is also intended to be capable of hosting “top-level international games”'. It is known, as the designers themselves admit, that it is all about the 2030 World Cup.

In order to be able to host the World Cup, La Romareda must completely change its face. The €140 million redevelopment envisages, among other things, an increase in capacity from the current 33,600 to 42,500 seats (including 1,000 VIP seats) and the construction of a new, futuristic facade. The fully-roofed, football-typical venue is to be not only the club's headquarters, but also the centre of Zaragoza's life and its new landmark.

© IDOM

Who will carry out the work?

Naturally, such major changes will force the stadium to be partially demolished. As reported by COPE, the company UTE Obras con Huarte Lain S.A has already been selected as the contractor for the demolition work. Its bid of €3.1 million was the most favourable in terms of economics (€1 million below the maximum budget), but also in terms of time, planning or the environment.

As reported by the local portal Aragón Digital, the company chosen from among the six competitors is expected to start demolition already in the summer, specifically on July 8. The building known as 'El cubo' (Spanish for bucket), the former headquarters of the zoning authority and the stands in the Sur sector will be the first to go.

Even with such a seemingly small part of the planned works, it has not been without a political brawl, as the opposition Podemos party has accused La Nueva Romareda SL of “serious legal negligence” in the tender documentation and suggested that it could be an attempt by the ruling People's Party (PP) to set it up. The PP-run city and the Autonomous Community of Aragon each have a 33.3% stake in the company.

© IDOM

A solution straight from Miami

While Real Zaragoza will play for some time despite the demolition of the Sur sector, further work will force the club to move out. Mundo Deportivo points out that Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos (9,700 seats), El Alcoraz (9,100 seats) and Estadio las Gaunas (16,000 seats) were considered as potential temporary venues, but the company's authorities opted for a solution along the lines of DRV PNK Stadium, where Leo Messi's Inter Miami play. Interestingly, Real Zaragoza owner Jorge Mas is also co-owner of Inter.

Specifically, the idea is for a modular facility that will be cheap, easy to assemble and dismantle once work on Nueva Romareda is completed. According to the Spanish press, the cost of the temporary stadium will not exceed €10 million with a capacity of 20,376 seats. It will be used by Real Zaragoza in the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons, making the redevelopment of Romareda complete in 2027, two years ahead of the original deadline.

© IDOM

In all likelihood, the facility will be built in the so-called Parking Norte, 5 km from the city centre, where the Expo 2008 World Exposition was held. For this to come to fruition, the city hall will have to rent or temporarily cede the parking area to the club.

Judging by the enthusiasm of local politicians, this will not be a problem, as becoming host city of the 2030 World Cup is a priority for all. As reported by Aragón Noticias, the city will launch a €15,000 tender to carry out an assessment of the work needed to adapt the car park to put a stadium on it. It is expected to be ready by the summer of 2025 at the latest.

New player in the project

Meanwhile, news has been circulating in the local media that the Ibercaja bank wants to join the New Romareda project by covering part of the investment costs. “We have always shown our willingness to participate and support any strategic project for Aragon. And this one in La Romareda is exactly that,” assured Víctor Iglesias, the bank's general manager, quoted by El Periódico de Aragón.

Diario Aragonés, in turn, reported a statement from the town's mayor, Natalia Chueca, who confirmed that talks about cooperation had already been taking place for months. “I am delighted to hear that Ibercaja is considering entering the Nueva Romareda company,” announced the town's mayor. Negotiations are ongoing, however, and the shape of the potential collaboration is still a mystery.

© IDOM

Preparations are in full swing, and the eagerness of the city that wants to host the World Cup and the desire of a club hoping for a stadium worthy of professional football is a combination that gives Zaragoza hope of breaking the curse of abandoned projects.

But is it really? In the wake of the so-called Rubiales affair, UEFA is said to be looking with disfavour at the Spanish federation and even considering revoking its right to host the World Cup. What will happen if this comes true? According to Diario Aragonés, this will not change the plans of the club and the city, but how it will really be, only the future can tell.