Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, home of SSC Napoli for years, is in for a landmark redevelopment. Architect Gino Zavanella has provided details of the planned upgrade, which aims to bring the stadium up to modern standards.

New stadium without athletics track

Gino Zavanella, a well-known sports venue architect, spoke to Radio CRC during the In ritiro Con Te programme about the renovation of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples. One of the most important changes he proposed is the removal of the athletics track, bringing the stands closer to the pitch. This solution aims to improve visibility and intensify the atmosphere during matches. Zavanella stressed that nowadays it is impossible to build modern stadiums with a treadmill, making this change necessary.

What will be the duration of the works? The first thing to decide with the president is whether we should have one sports centre for all sectors of Napoli or divide it into parts. Either we will create one sports centre, with complex management of course, or two centres: one dedicated to the first team and the Primavera and the other to the other sectors. I think this is a topic that the president is currently considering, - added the architect.

© Gaetano Capaldo

The project is expected to take a minimum of one and a half years to complete, with the possibility of extending to as much as three years if Napoli continue to play at the stadium while the work is being carried out. The cost of the upgrade is estimated to be less than €200 million, although the exact amount depends on current prices in the construction market.

SSC Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis aims to create a modern facility that will be a showpiece for the club and meet the expectations of Napoli fans. I have known De Laurentiis for a long time and he is a volcanic figure, to say the least, - Added Zavanella. The comparison with a volcano fits perfectly with De Laurentiis' recent bold idea.

Napoli now, 6 years ago Stadium of the Year 2018 juror

The career of one of Italy's leading sports architects has been an impressive one. Born in Turin, Zavanella graduated in architecture in Florence in 1969. During his studies, he met architects such as Savioli and Ricci, with whom he later collaborated. His passion for sport, present since his youth, merged with his profession, which directed him towards stadium design.

Zavanella designed several famous venues in Italy, including Stadio delle Alpi in Turin, Sportilia, City of Sport complex and Stadio Euganeo in Padua. In the 21st century, he was given further impressive assignments, including the concept for Palermo stadium, Diego Armando Maradona stadium and Olympic complex in Mostaganem (Algeria). You can read more about the achievements of Zavanelli, our 2018 Stadium of the Year juror, in the article dedicated to him.

© groundhopping_damenklo