October 2025. That’s the time when all Zaragoza fans will say goodbye forever to their beloved La Romareda and welcome their new stadium. The company responsible for demolition and construction must ensure that no trace of the current football stadium remains no later than one year after it closes.

Goal: Meet deadlines

This is one of the clauses included in the specifications published by La Nueva Romareda for construction companies interested in the tender. These companies will have until October 7 to apply for the public tender and demonstrate their technical and economic solvency, with the five best-rated firms moving to the next stage. The final results of the process will be announced in January 2025, and the countdown will begin on February 10 with the signing of documents. That’s when the new Gol Sur will start to rise.

The first key milestone, which includes penalties for missed deadlines, will be the completion of demolition work at La Romareda, set for the 35th week, which is mid-October 2025. From that point, the foundations for Nueva Romareda will begin to be constructed, starting with the eastern and western stands and the facade cladding. The main structure of the new stadium must be ready by the end of January 2027. At that point, all technological systems can be installed, and three weeks later, around mid-February, the installation of seats in the stands will commence. As explained by Zaragoza Mayor Natalia Chueca, these will not be included in this tender and will be announced in a separate bidding process in spring 2026.

Another milestone will be June 2027, when the contractor must make the site available for the installation of the playing field. If all deadlines are met, the stadium will be ready for use in the last week of August, allowing Real Zaragoza to start the 2027/2028 season in their new venue.

© Real Zaragoza

Is one company still in the game?

Meanwhile, the club will move to a modular stadium in the Northern Parking area, for which the tender is already in the final phase with the opening of bids. In the process that concluded on September 12, two companies expressed interest. However, a few days later, the Contracting Commission excluded the bidder Obrascon Huarte Laín SA (OHLA) for failing to meet the required solvency criteria. This clears the way for the Temporary Union of Companies (UTE) formed by Nussli Iberia SA and Construcciones López Navarro. According to a document that has come to light, the specifications require documentation of at least three works of a similar nature to the subject of the contract. This means the supply of temporary sports facilities, including installation and necessary works, in accordance with the order signed by those responsible for Nueva Romareda SL.

According to the Contracting Management, OHLA states that it has contacted another company, Avant Sport Industrial CO, to demonstrate compliance with the requirements. However, they clarify that the subject of the contract will be executed by another company, Stren Fachadas Ligeras SL, which has committed to cooperate as the company installing modular buildings and prefabricated stands if OHLA turns out to be the winning bidder.

Now begins a fifteen-day period during which OHLA can appeal the decision. If they do not, their removal from the tender process will be ratified. Additionally, on September 25, the envelope containing bids with detailed financial proposals for the construction of the modular stadium will be opened.

© IDOM