Preparations for the renovation of Stadio Maradona are underway. According to Il Mattino, the stadium will be modernized, likely much earlier than the final deadline imposed by UEFA, which is tied to the 2032 European Championships.

Earlier than 2027?

This autumn, Napoli is set to present its modernization project, but it will not be the only vision considered by those responsible for this investment. A few days ago, the mayor of Naples discussed the planned renovation of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with the Italian Minister of Sport. A detailed meeting on this matter will take place soon. To meet the deadline for submitting candidatures of individual stadiums for hosting Euro 2032, UEFA must receive a list of five Italian venues by October 2026 at the latest, and all construction must begin by April 2027.

There is absolutely no doubt about this. The European Football Championship must be held in Naples, otherwise it would be unthinkable. Therefore, I can guarantee that the work on Stadio Maradona will be completed, said Nino Simeone, Chairman of the Commission for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works of the city of Naples, in an interview with Fanpage.it.

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Authorities encourage Napoli to cooperate

Representatives of Naples, however, want the work to be completed before 2027. To achieve this, the mayor of the city and the Minister of Sport have already identified a tool to expedite the process: the surface rights law mentioned in the stadium law passed in September 2023 by the government led by Giorgia Meloni. Subsequently, a 99-year concession will be granted to Napoli, which will thus participate in the costs associated with the modernization.

Provided, of course, that Aurelio De Laurentiis does not decide to build a stadium in Bagnoli. There, however, he will not find support from the municipality and the government, but he can count on many incentives and tax breaks if the project for the new facility is approved. Currently, Napoli seems very interested in renovating Stadio Maradona, considering that at significantly lower costs, they could soon have a modern stadium, which they have been striving for many years.

Moreover, the Campania region, led by Vincenzo De Luca, has already offered concrete assistance, more due to close relations with De Laurentiis than with the cooler relations with the mayor of Naples. Minister Abodi confirmed the maximum availability of national and local public institutions to find the necessary solutions and technical methods for the renovation of Stadio Maradona, in accordance with simplified and quick administrative procedures.

© Gaetano Capaldo

Compromise is necessary

The City Council may play a decisive role in this matter, which the mayor intends to involve in the institutional process that will finally make the stadium safe, efficient, modern, and usable 365 days a year.

The starting point is to remove the athletics track. Neither UEFA nor Napoli wants it, but for city representatives, it is very important. Why? This athletics track is the only one high standard element in the venue, even though no athletics competitions have been held there since the Universiade in the former San Paolo, that is, for the past five years. The track, which cost €3.5 million, is currently used exclusively for training by athletes, including members of the Italian Olympic team. Therefore, the mayor insists that both the Minister of Sport and the project creators find a solution that will preserve the stadium's athletics character.

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Work on the pitch is ongoing

Currently, the re-sowing of the turf damaged after numerous concerts in June is underway at the stadium. With a month left until the first match of the new season, the pitch must be in perfect condition. The Azzurri will debut on August 11 in a match against Modena in the Italian Cup. The pitch at Stadio Maradona is among the best in Italy, thanks to the continuous work of agronomists on whom the Neapolitan club relies.