On September 24, FIFA delegates visited the city of A Coruña. The delegates met with city officials and club representatives to discuss their first impressions of the Riazor 2030 project. A rendering of the facility was then released.

Priority: Capacity

Estadio Riazor, inaugurated in 1944 and currently with a capacity of 32,490 spectators, was one of the 17 venues used during the 1982 World Cup. However, this capacity will need to be expanded. Reaching an agreement on this issue has been challenging between city officials and the club. The latest FIFA report suggests the stadium should seat 48,015 spectators.

The FIFA delegation's report also highlighted hotels and sports facilities that national teams could use. These include Hotel Meliá María Pita, Hotel Riazor, Ibis Styles A Coruña, and Attica 21 Coruña. Training fields considered include Ciudad Deportiva de Abegondo, O Roxo, Municipal de Ponte dos Brozos, and Vista Alegre.

Due to FIFA requirements, the Riazor project also envisions an increase in VIP seats. About 1,765 of these seats will be exclusive, with 365 in the executive box, 889 in the Upper Preference zone, and 149 on the lower stands. Another 371 seats will be located in rows featuring private boxes. Operational centers, accreditation areas, volunteer spaces, invitation zones, ceremony areas, kitchens, and facilities for 500 catering staff will be built, along with locker rooms for up to 700 employees. The stadium will also have locker rooms, children’s and animal areas, dining areas for 680 people, a press room for 300, a mixed zone for 250, and a press center for an additional 150 journalists.

Estadio Riazor rendering

New rendering

Galician firm Urban Simulations has released a rendering showing how Riazor Stadium would look after its renovation. We created VFX and CGI images to bring this ambitious project to life, the company shared on social media. According to their vision, the new stadium in A Coruña will feature a colossal roof, similar in style to other major venues like Santiago Bernabéu, Spotify Camp Nou, and Civitas Metropolitano. The new Deportivo stadium visualizations include a panoramic view of the VIP lounge and several views of the stands.