Stadio Euganeo – design description

Why are changes needed at Stadio Euganeo?

Stadio Euganeo was inaugurated in 1994 (the south stand was opened a few years later). The facility was equipped with an athletics track and four straight stands on each side. Although the design was interesting, it turned out to be not very functional and not 100% suited to the needs of football matches (the long distance between the stands and the pitch), which were the main activity at the stadium.

What were the ideas for replacing Stadio Euganeo?

So, over time, discussions began about changes. In 2016, the municipal authorities presented a project for the extension of Stadio Plebiscito, to which Calcio Padova footballers would eventually move. In response, the municipal opposition presented plans to upgrade Stadio Euganeo. Ultimately, none of these ideas lived to see realisation.

In December 2018, an ambitious project by Progetto CMR and Sportium saw the light of day. The concept called for the complete redevelopment of Stadio Euganeo. The cost of building a modern arena was estimated at around €100 million. Due to a lack of sufficient funds, implementation was not undertaken.

What is the final concept for the redevelopment of Stadio Euganeo?

On July 10, 2019, a much more modest but realistic concept was presented, which was expected to cost only €12 million to implement. The project was developed by Studio Muratori & Zanon, in collaboration with city officials. The redevelopment was to include only the area behind the goals, where two new stands were to be built, much closer to the pitch, which involved the removal of the athletics track. There were also plans to build sports halls behind the new stands.

After refining the concept, updated renderings of the new south stand, to be built first, were presented on January 29, 2020, the 110th anniversary of Calcio Padova. The stand should hold 3,300 spectators and be fully covered by a transparent roof. Massive reinforced concrete blocks were to stand on its sides. The space directly behind the stand was to be adapted into two sports halls, with the old south stand as the auditorium. When the stand is completed, the capacity of the stadium will be 28,000 spectators.

How is the construction of the new south stand at Stadio Euganeo progressing?

The tender for the reconstruction of the southern part of the stadium was awarded in late 2020, with Esteel as the main contractor and the work valued at €5.8 million. Construction started at the beginning of 2021 and was due to be completed in October 2021. However, delays were noted right from the start, after pipes and cables not included in the plans were encountered. Subsequently, the COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in the price of construction materials did not help either.

In November 2022 (construction, although already at an advanced stage, was still not complete), Guardia di Finanza officers entered the site. Due to an investigation into irregularities in the selection of the main contractor, as well as in the hiring of subcontractors, construction was blocked. This state of affairs lasted until the contract expired in February 2023.

In April 2023, the investigation, which was pending against the mayor Sergio Giordani and the municipal sports secretary Diego Bonavina, was concluded. The investigation ultimately found no irregularities. Following the conclusion of the proceedings, the municipal decision-makers announced that the investment would continue. According to initial statements, construction of the south stand could resume in autumn 2023, with completion in early 2024. The second phase (north stand) is expected to be completed at a later date.