Works related to the construction of a venue in Merida, Mexico were expected to start in the first quarter of 2022, but the project, announced in 2020 by the Yucatan government, still needs many details to be defined. The locals also have a lot to say on the matter.

Estadio Sostenible de Yucatán is expected to open in 2024, but we already know that this deadline is unlikely to be met. In fact, it won't be the largest arena in the country, but the most technologically advanced. The brand new stadium is proposed to satisfy three major event demands.

Firstly, it's supposed to house the football team Venados FC (with 27,000 seats), secondly – the baseball team Leones de Yucatán (23,000 seats) and finally – concerts for up to 32,000 people. Given that the venue will host a number of matches from multiple sports, fans certainly won't be complaining about the betting offers. Perhaps the best option for them is to follow expert ht/ft tips so they don't miss any bets on their favorite teams.

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In order to combine three uses of the facility, without compromising experience for any group of visitors, architectural studio Populous opted to create possibly the most versatile venue to date. It will not only include demountable stands but also those moving along the stadium's circular diameter. This way a rectangular layout for football will not collide with a triangular baseball layout.

The lower tier will be entirely mobile but, perhaps most impressively, the upper sections will repeat that same motion, also partly attached to rails and able to travel around the stadium to make sure fans will get the right experience. Between the two innovative tiers there will be 3 rings of private boxes.

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Its circular blueprint is no accident for one more reason. Yucatan is, after all, home to one of the world's oldest ballgames, played by Mayans some 3,400 years BC. Circle is also the shape of the famous Mayan calendars, which is why the architects are using this concept to build the stadium's identity. Symbols associated with this culture will be etched into the roof, while the openwork facade will consist of themes mimicking those of the highly decorative Mayan architecture.

To make the project more interesting, the stadium is to become the first one across Mexico to receive the LEED Platinum certificate, the highest one currently for sustainability. Thus the interim name: Estadio Sostenible means simply “Sustainable Stadium”. It's also expected to be a standard bearer for inclusive solutions and accessibility.

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Although construction should have started a long time ago, it is still encountering new problems. Among them are the prevailing citizen complaints and doubts that surround plans to build the most modern stadium in Mexico. The construction of the stadium has also been delayed as planning permission and licensing procedures have been progressing slower than expected. Until the construction permit is granted, the company has to comply with all the previous guidelines: the detailed design, the environmental impact statement, the urban impact study or the INAH permit. 

Investments are also being sought, whether local, national or even international. There is already progress in this area, but contracts have not yet been finalized and building permits are still pending. The Yucatan government has not backed down from its plans, but the start of construction is unlikely to happen in the coming months.

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