Estadio Diego Armando Maradona – design description

When was the plan to extend the Argentinos Juniors stadium created?

The stadium of the Argentinos Juniors club from Buenos Aires has existed in an unchanged location since 1940, but took its current shape at the turn of the century when a virtually new stadium with reinforced concrete stands was built. The facility was reopened on December 26, 2003 and, following the reconstruction, the stadium was named after Diego Maradona, who began his professional career there.

In November 2022, the club unveiled a vision for the expansion of the stadium, which would increase its capacity from the current 24,000 to 30,000 spectators. The project has been dubbed DAM 2.0 (Diego Armando Maradona 2.0). Its implementation is to be carried out in stages and will take two years. While the work is ongoing, the club is still expected to play its matches at the stadium. When the project was announced, the first work to replace the pitch had already begun.

How will Estadio Diego Armando Maradona change after the expansion?

The design involves the construction of a new stand behind the south goal (this is the only side of the pitch that previously had no auditorium). The stand behind the north goal is also to be rebuilt, and additional boxes will be added to the main stand. Towers with balconies will be erected in the corners. All of the auditorium is to be roofed and the exterior is to be enhanced with an aesthetically pleasing façade.

The new stand behind the south gate will be divided into three tiers. Due to the extremely small amount of free space between the street and the stadium, the floors are to overlap in order to reduce the width of the structure as much as possible. Towers with balconies offering additional seating for spectators will be built at the corners.

The stand on the opposite side will be remodelled in a similar way, although it will only be divided into two, slightly wider, overlapping tiers. On its ground floor, there will be a restaurant, and some of the tables will be located right next to the end line of the pitch. Two LED screens will be installed on the roof of the stands behind the goals. There will also be floodlights under the roof.

The modernisation will give the facility an enclosed and more coherent character. Its aesthetics will be significantly improved. Both inside and outside, the colours white and red are to dominate the stadium. There will also be additional retail and service outlets in the spaces below the stands.