Nuevo Campo Municipal de Fútbol de Zaragoza – design description

A new Real Zaragoza stadium to replace the outdated La Romareda has been planned since the turn of the 20th century. Initially, the facility was to be built in the Valdespartera district, and later plans were made to build on the site of the existing stadium, but neither project came to fruition.

After the failure of the previous project, on February 1, 2008, the City Council decided to build the stadium in a new location, in the southeastern suburb of San José, near the Miraflores train station.

Another competition was held, which was won in July 2008 by a studio led by Zaragoza-based architect Joaquín Sicilia.

The vision looked very spectacular. The stadium was to be built in the form of a rounded block, resistant to the strong winds (cierzo) blowing in the area. The facility would be enhanced with extensive commercial facilities, with an Andalusian patio at its center. Illuminated at night, the facade would be covered with perforated panels with mudéjar-style ornaments.

The stadium was to hold 43,000 people, with the possibility of expanding with additional mobile stands, up to a capacity of 50,000 spectators. The possibility of building new apartments next to it was also assumed. The cost of building the stadium was to be €125 million. Work was originally scheduled to begin in 2009, but the investment was halted by the global financial crisis.

The project was also part of Spain and Portugal's bid to host the 2018 World Cup, but on December 2, 2010 the candidacy lost out to Russia's bid. After that, the subject of building a new stadium went quiet and was eventually abandoned.

The construction of a new stadium in Zaragoza was not achieved until 2024, in preparation for the 2030 World Cup.