Just before the Copa Libertadores final, which will take place on November 30 at 21:00 (CET), the completion of the most important stages of Mâs Monumental’s modernization was announced. What surprises will the arena hold during this major match?

Unified structure and a massive LED screen

Mâs Monumental is now "360," meaning a complete ring around the stadium. Renovation work on the upper tiers, which was part of a modernization project initiated by River Plate before the pandemic, has now been completed. The San Martín and Centenario stands in the upper sections have been connected, as well as the Sívori and Belgrano stands, creating a unified structure. As part of this modernization, 1,100 new seats have been added, compensating for those lost during the construction of the boxes in the Sívori stand. This improvement has provided the stadium with new functionality and enhanced spectator comfort, while maintaining its iconic structure. The stadium's capacity will remain at 84,567, making it the largest sports venue in Argentina.

These changes were announced shortly after the installation of a new 25 x 14-meter LED screen, which is 150% larger than the previous one. As previously announced in September, the new screen features state-of-the-art technology in terms of resolution and brightness, as well as other advanced technical features. Furthermore, it consists of a completely new module, more modern and comparable to the best screens worldwide. These innovations are aimed at enhancing the fan experience in terms of both comfort and visual quality. The LED screen replaces the historic structure that has been part of Monumental’s identity since its renovation for the 1978 World Cup, where a lit sign with a clock, known as Autotrol, was displayed.

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Plans for 2025? A new restaurant

During the most recent Extraordinary Assembly, held at one of the stadium’s offices, various aspects of the ongoing work for 2025 were approved. One of the points is the construction of a second restaurant, which will join the existing Banda restaurant in the Centenario stand. According to La Página Millonaria, work will begin in the first half of next year, with completion scheduled for August. The new restaurant will be located in the Belgrano stand, on the middle level, between the middle and lower sections, closer to the beginning of the Sívori stand than its central part. It will be accessible via an internal elevator from Avenida Udaondo, just like Banda restaurant, or by stairs leading to the Belgrano Alta stand.

The new restaurant will feature two terraces — one overlooking Avenida Udaondo, and the other facing the field. It will be entirely glass-enclosed, allowing guests to enjoy the stadium's interior while dining. In terms of size, the new establishment will be slightly smaller than Banda, but like there, socios will benefit from discounts. The club’s goal is for this new space to function as "Hospitality" for members with special category season tickets in the Belgrano stand, currently numbering around 200. In the coming weeks, the club plans to release more details and visuals of this new space.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak

Preparations for the final amid River Plate fan outrage

On November 30, Mâs Monumental will host the Copa Libertadores final between Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo. According to regulations, the club that plays at the stadium selected for the final must give the venue over to CONMEBOL 10 days before the match. As a result, River Plate will face San Lorenzo only on Wednesday, December 4, and the stadium will be unavailable to the club until the final is played. In the days leading up to the event, the federation began decorating the stadium’s exterior and interior with posters referencing the final between the Brazilian teams.

These actions sparked significant outrage among River Plate fans on social media. CONMEBOL not only hung posters in the hallways but also covered up the River Plate crest on the exterior of the Centenario stand and the plaque near Avenida Figueroa Alcorta, next to the museum. The club's symbols are considered untouchable, and according to many fans, they should not be covered or removed, regardless of agreements with CONMEBOL or other organizations. The introduction of a temporary banner replacing the iconic Monumental sign caused considerable controversy. Instead of the traditional plaque, the phrase "Conmebol Libertadores Buenos Aires Final 2024" appeared, and the River Plate crest was covered by a black tarp. Regardless of whether River Plate reached the final or not, this situation occurred as part of the agreement with CONMEBOL: once the stadium is handed over, it becomes neutral until the match is played.

© Grzegorz Kaliciak

Hosting the event will bring significant profits to the club

Fan opinions are divided, as usual. Some believe that outrage over the banners and posters, which will only hang for a few days, is unnecessary and diverts attention from more pressing issues to address, both on the sporting front and at the institutional level. However, regardless of what individual fans and members of River Plate think about how the club's symbols are treated, the fact remains that the board accepted the terms set by CONMEBOL for the stadium to host the final, in exchange for significant financial gains. The agreement between River Plate and CONMEBOL will provide the club with revenue of nearly 2 million dollars.