On July 15, the project for the redevelopment of the Empoli stadium was presented. In addition to club representatives, the event was attended by government officials – Minister of Sports Andrea Abodi – and Lega Serie A – General Manager Luigi De Siervo. This project is called "Empoli FC, the stadium of the future."

Step by step

The redevelopment of Stadio Castellani will be divided into three or even four phases. The first phase will focus on Curva Sud: four sectors will be removed, and a stand for 4,000 spectators will be built closer to the pitch. This stand will be occupied by the most passionate Empoli fans. Inside the stand, there will be a hypermarket with a sales and storage area of 3,000 m². This phase will take approximately 7 months.

Similar work will be carried out in the second phase, which will involve Curva Nord: the sectors will be removed, and a stand of 3,800 m² will be built. It will be intended for away fans. Inside, there will be an auditorium for commercial, cultural, and recreational purposes. This phase will last about 9 months, but it may take longer due to the need to dismantle rooms that currently house changing rooms.

The third step will be to move the pitch 15 meters towards the Maratona stand. After this work is completed, three out of four sectors will be close to the pitch. This phase will take 3 months and will be carried out in the summer, after the season ends.

The final phase will involve the construction of a covered stand for 4,300 spectators, which will be built from scratch along with a VIP area, a hospitality area, and an underground parking lot. Inside, there will be 23 shops spread across different levels, and the construction time is estimated at 10 months.

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Stadium for the whole community

Overall, the construction time for the stadium will be 36 months (with breaks between stages) so that Empoli can remain at the stadium throughout the work. The new facility will be eco-friendly and built using the latest technologies. The new Empoli stadium will cost approximately €45 million. Once completed, it will accommodate around 18,600 spectators.

The investment will also include the construction of a hotel and a park for the local community. The goal is to create a stadium that can be enjoyed seven days a week. We want to follow the English model while respecting economic balance, said President Fabrizio Corsi during the presentation.

It is clear that the renovation project of Carlo Castellani stadium represents an important opportunity for Empoli FC and the city of Empoli, as the new facility and infrastructure will not only be a meeting place for fans but also a symbol of progress and innovation for the local community. We will start a debate with the city to address the legitimate concerns of residents. [...] On July 18 and 29, we will organize a participatory process to discuss project funding with the Municipal Council, said Empoli Mayor Alessio Mantelassi.

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