Estadio Gran Canaria will be one of the venues for the 2030 World Cup. The candidacy presented by the Island Council passed all levels of FIFA verification and is one of eleven that the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will submit in the official document.

World Cup on the island

During an extraordinary plenary session, Gran Canaria Cabildo approved the financing plan for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027, which includes the expansion and comprehensive renovation of Estadio Gran Canaria. The agreement, unanimously approved by five political groups in the Cabildo after reaching a consensus in the Governing Council of the Insular Sports Institute, foresees expenditures of €101.18 million and an additional €5.8 million for the project development contract.

This agreement marks another step towards the selection of Gran Canaria as a host for the 2030 World Cup. It was the last requirement set by RFEF for the island to be considered in the final list.

The total duration of the work is estimated at 24 months, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The goal is to expand, improve, and modernize the existing infrastructure and sports facilities comprehensively so that Estadio Gran Canaria finally enters the 21st century. The work will be carried out in stages and will not affect the holding of league matches.

© Antonio Morales Méndez

The plan includes expanding Grada Naciente to align its height with the rest of the stands, creating a solid, closed oval around the field. An additional ring will then be built in the upper part. The stadium will also receive a new roof over all the stands, which will connect with the façade. The primary aim of the modernization is to increase the stadium's capacity from the current 32,418 to 44,462 seats.

Preparations underway across the island

In addition to the renovation of Estadio Gran Canaria, the island's authorities have planned the modernization of stadiums in Maspalomas in southern Gran Canaria, El Hornillo in Telde, and Piletas in the capital. All these upgrades aim to meet the requirements for facilities serving as training centers for the national teams participating in the World Cup. The renovations will be financed under an additional investment plan and will cost around €5-6 million. Teams will also train at the UD Las Palmas headquarters in Barranco Seco.

Additionally, the authorities of Gran Canaria will conduct a study to determine the economic impact of hosting the 2030 World Cup on the island. This is a historic milestone, said Antonio Morales, president of Cabildo de Gran Canaria, in an interview with InformativosTvc.

© Antonio Morales Méndez