Mâs Monumental – design description

What is the concept behind the redevelopment of El Monumental?

The main idea behind the redevelopment of El Monumental is to remove the running track, lower the pitch and build, in place of the dismantled track, a new lower level of stands closest to the playing field. New seats will be installed in all stands and standing room will be left only in the lower tiers of stands behind the goals, increasing the ratio of seats to standing room from the current 55 to 45% to 79 to 21%. After the redevelopment, the capacity of the stadium will increase from 72,054 to 84,567 spectators, making it the largest in all of South America.

As a result of the redevelopment, the pitch will be lowered by 1. 8 metres from the previous one. The field itself will gain new drainage and a hybrid turf. With the construction of new lower tiers of stands, fans will be able to sit closer to the players and the stadium itself will be transformed into a football-specific arena. However, the redevelopment concept is much more modest than the ambitious visions presented at the beginning of the second decade of the 21st century. Among other things, it does not include the roofing of the auditoriums or the creation of additional facilities around the stadium.

In addition to the main features, the design includes a number of other works, including the creation of new skyboxes, spaces, a tunnel for players, a sound system and car parks. The redevelopment is expected to cost $45 million and will be entirely covered by private funding. The agreement signed in April 2022 to sell the stadium's naming rights, under which the venue is rebranded as Mâs Monumental, is expected to play an important role in securing the necessary funds. Revenue generated from the pre-sale of tickets is also expected to be an important source of funding.

When will the redevelopment of El Monumental be completed?

The first, initial phase of the project, involving the lowering of the stadium basin and the construction of a new pitch, was completed in late 2020/early 2021. The next phase, in which new lower tiers of stands will be built and new seats will be installed throughout the stadium, started in March 2022. By February 2023, the lower tier of stands on the north, east and south sides is expected to be ready. The entire project is scheduled for completion in July 2024.