It’s less unified than the previous plan, but more rational. And Nacional are about to outgrow archrivals Penarol in terms of capacity by just 14 seats!

In July of 2016 shareholders of Nacional Montevideo approved amendments in the club’s stadium expansion plans. Somewhat simplified compared to the 2015 scheme, the upgraded Gran Parque Nacional will have no roof of uniform facades, but should reach an even higher capacity of 40,019.

Why the last 19 matter? Because archrivals Penarol have a stadium for 40,005 people (with only one grandstand seated), which will allow Nacional to get Uruguay’s second largest venue once again, losing only to Estadio Centenario.

Ground works behind the east stand were launched back in 2015 and along amended plans this side of Gran Parque Central will change the most. Regular seating capacity will grow from 8,600 to 12,040 as additional rows are added, but perhaps most importantly three floors of private boxes (72 in total) will top it all.

The current south end will gain a second tier of regular seating, growing from 4,700 to 9,180. And finally, the west stand will see two additional floors of skyboxes added (80), topped with a smaller pavilion for commentators. Together with east and south facades, all the above works will constitute the first phase, expected to finish in 18 months and resulting in capacity of 36,400.

Second phase will add two further floors of boxes (54) on top of the west stand and a second tier of seats at the north end, putting the final capacity at 40,019.

This rational expansion scheme is modestly priced at just $22.3 million, of which $17.6m will be spent during the first phase and additional $4.8m in the second one. As agreed by the shareholders, works will be financed largely through own resources (sale of 206 new boxes and commercial space), while bank loans should not exceed 30% (expected at 21.8%).

Nacional will also use the stadium throughout construction works, not bearing costs of temporary tenancy at a third-party venue.