Reale Arena – construction description

Decision on the reconstruction of Estadio Anoeta was made in 2015, following a decade of previous attempts that proved unsuccessful. Having secured funding from bank loan and public authorities (both the Gipuzkoa province and Basque Country) Real Sociedad commenced works in May of 2017.

First, the demolition of external staircases in of the south end commenced, then the entire curve came down. By September of 2017 construction of a new grandstand was ongoing, which would eventually move the front row of seats 35 meters closer to the action. The stand was opened early into the 2018/19 season.

At the same time, from May of 2018, construction was also ongoing on the reconfiguration of lower east and west sides, also being brought closer to the field by some 15 meters. The field of play was replaced and lowered by some 1.5 meters in order to secure good sightlines for all fans. Also in mid-2018 the main roof trusses were raised into place.

Between 10/2018 and 09/2019 the new north end was built, mirroring the one in the south. In total work should last until late 2019, when the west side would be refurbished and the entire stadium wrapped with new sky blue ETFE facade.