National Stadium of Gibraltar – design description

Why is a new stadium needed in Gibraltar?

When Gibraltar became a UEFA member in March 2013, there was only one stadium in Gibraltar, Victoria Stadium, which was not fit for purpose for hosting matches at international level, although the Gibraltar Football Federation (GFA) had been given permission to play friendly national team matches there. Planning therefore began for the construction of a new venue, meeting UEFA Category IV conditions.

How did the planning for a new stadium in Gibraltar proceed?

The site for the new stadium was chosen at Europa Point, at the southern end of the peninsula. The concept for the new Europa Point Stadium, prepared by Fenwick Iribarren Architects, was presented in February 2014. However, the proposal to build an arena on this site met with public objections and in September 2015 the project was decided to be abandoned.

Following the failure of the concept for a new arena at Europa Point, new locations were considered, with the Lathbury Barracks site being the most seriously considered. In the end, however, the inclination was towards redeveloping Victoria Stadium. In 2017, the GFA bought the venue from the government for £16.5m. It was often reported at the time that the construction of the stadium would be fully funded by UEFA and FIFA, but the possible grant was £15m, while the project was valued at no less than £40m.

In June 2018, renderings of the new national stadium to be built on the site of Victoria Stadium were unveiled. The initial plan was to build between 2019 and 2021. However, problems finding funding delayed the start of the investment.

On November 19, 2022, during the halftime of Gibraltar's friendly match against Andorra (1:0) played at Victoria Stadium, an updated concept for the new arena was presented and additional information was provided. In addition to the stadium, the project was to include flats, retail and commercial facilities, offices and a business centre.

The cost of delivering the entire project is estimated at £100m. The venture is to be financed by Gibraltar Savings Bank, which has taken on the role of investor. Community Supplies & Services Limited will be the entity responsible for carrying out the investment. Construction should begin in the second half of 2023.

What will the new Victoria Stadium be like?

The new Victoria Stadium will have a football-specific layout and will accommodate 8,000 spectators. The pitch will be surrounded on all sides by single-level stands (there will also be a narrow second tier in the main stand). The auditorium will be fully covered. Above the stands along the pitch there will be glass boxes. The facility will be equipped with LED screens and floodlights, located under the roof.

As part of the development, flats, retail and service facilities, offices and a business centre will also be built together with the stadium. The whole will form a single complex, of which the stadium will be the most important part, but not the only one. The complex will be contained in a uniform architectural structure of irregular shape, topped with a striped façade.

Due to its location in the immediate vicinity of the airport, the building will be quite low in the part closest to the runway (the stand behind the north gate), gradually increasing in height as it moves away from this zone. Spectators will have a view of the famous Rock of Gibraltar from part of the stands in the stadium.

Who will the new Victoria Stadium serve?

The stadium will be used for league matches on a day-to-day basis. By gaining UEFA Category IV, it will also serve as the home venue for the Gibraltar national team, and local clubs will be able to use it for UEFA competition matches. The arena will also be able to host concerts and other events.