Estadio Nacional de El Salvador – design description

When were plans announced to build El Salvador's new national stadium?

On December 31, 2021, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele announced on Twitter plans to build a national stadium. Initial design information and renderings of the new arena were presented at the time.

The construction of El Salvador's national stadium will be the result of a partnership with China, which is expected to support the investment. This fits in with the country's so-called stadium diplomacy, as part of which many new venues have already been built around the world. A preliminary agreement to develop the stadium has already been reached during Nayiba Bukele's visit to China in late 2019.

Where and when will El Salvador's national stadium be built?

The facility is to be constructed in Antiguo Cuscatlán, in the western suburbs of the capital metropolitan area, on the site of a military school (the school is scheduled to be relocated to a new site where it will receive more ground for its activities and better infrastructure). The start of construction, after the demolition of the military school, is planned for September 2022. The work is expected to take about three years. Construction is estimated to cost about $500 million.

The construction is opposed by environmentalists, who claim that it will pose a threat to the surrounding flora and fauna, and that covering large areas of the site with parking lots will limit retention and reduce drinking water supplies, as well as pose a risk of flooding.

What will El Salvador's new national stadium look like?

The stadium will have a football-specific layout, with gently curved stands surrounding the playing field on all sides. The two tiers of stands, separated by a business seating strip, will offer a capacity of 50,000 spectators. The auditorium will be surrounded by a smooth, dome-shaped structure, forming both the external facade and the roofing of the stands.

The stadium will take on the role of the country's main football arena, becoming home to the Salvadoran national team. In addition to football games, the facility will also host a full range of other events, such as exhibitions, festivals and concerts. The stadium is expected to use the latest in IT technology and have efficient energy consumption.

What will be the symbolic meaning of the new national stadium in El Salvador?

With its modern, elegant and coherent form, the stadium is to become one of the architectural symbols of the capital metropolitan area. From an aesthetic perspective, the concept is meant to be a balance between modernity and nature, referring to local conditions and traditions.

The architects' idea is for the rounded shapes to symbolise the drops of rainwater that for centuries enabled the civilisations of El Salvador to survive. The spherical form of the building was enriched with the motif of a winding ribbon, extending beyond the outline of the stadium in the form of walls surrounding the main entrance walkway. The shape of these walls refers to the waves of the ocean, at the same time symbolising the wings of freedom. The wide, open pedestrian walkway leading into the stadium is an artistic reflection of the openness and hospitality of the Salvadoran people.

With its light and elegant architectural style, the new representative national stadium is intended to highlight the greatness of civilization and technological advancement, while serving as a monument to the friendship between the nations of China and El Salvador.