Distrito Futeca – design description

What is the Distrito Futeca project in brief?

The ambitious Distrito Futeca masterplan envisions the creation of the most modern football venue in Central America, unmatched among Guatemala’s existing stadiums.

Although its capacity has been set at a moderate 21,000 seats, the stadium will feature a fully roofed structure, with a significant share of seating allocated to hospitality boxes. The building will stand out thanks to its original, dynamic silhouette and an eye-catching facade composed of interwoven rhythmic bands and glazed strips.

The Distrito Futeca development consists of two main components – alongside the stadium (Foro Futeca), a shopping center with a hotel (Galería Futeca) is also planned. On a symbolic level, the concept is inspired by Guatemala’s landscape, where Foro Futeca and Galería Futeca represent “volcanoes”, while the connecting plaza forms a “valley”.

The project is set to be developed on the site of the former Estadio del Ejército. Construction began in April 2026, starting with the hotel and retail component, while work on the stadium itself is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with completion planned for mid-2030.

How did the Distrito Futeca project come about?

When were the first plans for a new stadium on the site of Estadio del Ejército developed?

In 2012, CONRED, Guatemala’s national disaster risk reduction agency, declared Estadio del Ejército a facility that did not meet safety requirements. Although the stadium remained in use, discussions about its future began.

Estadio del Ejército was inaugurated in 1964. Situated near central Guatemala City, it served for many years as the home ground of Aurora FC – a military-affiliated club and one of the most successful football teams in the country.

The stadium and its surrounding land attracted interest from the business group Futeca Corporación, which developed plans to replace the old facility with a modern 12,000-seat stadium, accompanied by a hotel and a shopping centre.

In early 2016, Futeca Corporación reached an agreement with the owner of the land, the Instituto de Previsión Militar (IPM). The group was granted a long-term lease of the site in order to develop the new facilities, including the stadium.

However, in June 2016, the agreement was terminated and the project was not implemented. Several years later, between 2021 and 2022, the old stadium was finally demolished, and Aurora FC moved to Estadio Guillermo Slowing in Amatitlán.

When was the Distrito Futeca project created?

In January 2023, the Instituto de Previsión Militar announced a tender for a 50-year lease of the site where Estadio del Ejército had stood until recently. Out of eight companies participating in the bidding process, Futeca Corporación was selected – the same group that had already planned to build a new stadium on the site several years earlier.

On July 26, 2024, Futeca Corporación unveiled an ambitious project named Distrito Futeca, which the group intended to develop on the leased land.

The new plans were significantly more ambitious than the earlier vision, although the core concept remained unchanged: the development was still to include a new stadium (this time with a capacity of 25,000 spectators), accompanied by a shopping center and a hotel.

The final version of the Distrito Futeca concept was unveiled alongside the launch of the development in April 2026. The plans were designed by the renowned architectural firm HKS (known for NFL stadium projects such as AT&T Stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium and SoFi Stadium) in cooperation with the local studio AS Arquitectura.

What does the Distrito Futeca project include?

Distrito Futeca is a masterplan covering the redevelopment of the former Estadio del Ejército site and adjacent plots. The concept consists of two main components, named Foro Futeca (stadium) and Galería Futeca (hotel and shopping centre).

Between the two main elements of the complex, an open plaza will serve as an attractive public space as well as a venue for gatherings, events and cultural activities.

Galería Futeca, planned for the southern part of the site, will combine a modern shopping center with a high-end hotel offering 150 guest rooms.

On a symbolic level, the Distrito Futeca concept is inspired by the landscapes of Guatemala – its two main components (Foro Futeca and Galería Futeca) represent “volcanoes”, while the plaza connecting them is intended to form a “valley”.

The hotel tower within Galería Futeca will rise to 55 m, while the stadium building will reach a maximum height of 60 m. Characterised by bold, abstract forms, the futuristic complex is intended to become a new urban icon for the city.

What will the stadium planned as part of the Distrito Futeca project be like?

The northern part of the development (Foro Futeca) will be occupied by the project’s main component – a high-end football stadium with a capacity of 21,000 seats, featuring a full roof covering both the stands and the pitch.

A large share of the seating is to consist of hospitality boxes located within a tall, multi-storey structure. The venue will feature two giant screens as well as a range of other modern amenities. In addition to football matches, the stadium will also be capable of hosting numerous sporting and cultural events, while its concert capacity will reach 35,000 spectators.

The stadium will stand out thanks to its original, dynamic silhouette with fluid contours. Its facade will consist of rhythmic bands interwoven with glazed strips, creating an overall appearance that may visually evoke the facade of the “new” Bernabéu.

Although the stadium’s capacity was ultimately reduced to a moderate 21,000 spectators, it is set to become the most modern venue of its kind in Central America, on a level unmatched by any stadium currently operating in Guatemala.

The venue is intended to become not only the new home of Aurora FC, but also an important football hub for the entire country, hosting both domestic and international competitions, including matches involving the national team. Cultural events are also expected to form a significant part of its activity.

Where will Distrito Futeca be built?

The development is planned for the site of the former Estadio del Ejército (demolished between 2021 and 2022), also encompassing adjacent plots. The location lies relatively close to the center of Guatemala City – the capital of the country and the largest urban agglomeration in Central America.

When will Distrito Futeca be built?

The official groundbreaking ceremony for the entire complex took place on April 22, 2026. Construction initially began with Galería Futeca, which is expected to be completed in late 2027 or early 2028. Work on the stadium itself (Foro Futeca) is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with completion planned for mid-2030. The investment is expected to cost $350 million.