The city council and SSC Napoli are considering whether to renovate the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona or build a new stadium. The discussion is gaining momentum, especially in the context of efforts to modernise Naples' sports infrastructure.

Restyling Maradona or adding 10,000 seats?

The mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi, emphasised in an interview with Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli that the modernisation of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was one of the city administration's key objectives. Changing the Maradona style was a priority for us. Today, it must be a shared choice with Napoli he said. He also pointed out that public funding is limited, which is why SSC Napoli is considering various options, from renovating Maradona to building a new facility. The cooperation of the city and the club is crucial for the realisation of each of these scenarios.

There is no public funding, except for a small part. Calcio Napoli is considering the possibility of renovating the current stadium or building a new one. We are cooperating as much as possible because having a modern stadium in Naples is one of the priorities we have as an administration Manfredi added.

One of the most important aspects of the modernisation is the possible reopening of the third ring of the stadium, which has been closed due to vibration problems. Manfredi announced that technical studies will be carried out to determine the necessary modernisation work. The third ring is an important asset, it has more than 10,000 seats the mayor emphasised. The decision will also require an agreement between the city and the SSC Napoli club.

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Naples is facing a wave of modernisation

The president of SSC Napoli, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has been suggesting the possibility of building a new stadium for a long time. It is in this context that Mayor Manfredi has expressed his readiness to cooperate, emphasising that the city is open to discussion. However, the decision on this matter remains open – both the modernisation of Stadio San Paolo and the construction of a new facility are options that require further analysis.

The debate on Stadio Maradona is part of a broader context of sports infrastructure development in the city. Manfredi also mentioned the construction of a new sports hall in the Orientation Centre, which is expected to be completed by the summer, and the modernisation of urban transport, including the delayed metro line 6. Plans also include the opening of a new stop and the improvement of the public transport system, which aims to better connect sports facilities with the rest of the city.

The mayor of Naples also addressed the Chiaia cable car, which is being reactivated in stages due to technological requirements. In addition, paving work on Via Don Bosco and Piazza Carlo III is due to begin in the coming weeks, and work on the Naples ring road will continue for another year.

Manfredi also addressed the problem of bradyseism (slow, long-term lowering or raising of the terrain) in the Campi Flegrei area, emphasising the need for close monitoring of this phenomenon by the Vesuvius Observatory. He assured that the situation does not currently pose an eruption risk, but the city remains on standby.

Due to the record number of tourist bookings for April and May, the city authorities are planning to strengthen tourist services, increase the number of information points and improve public transport. One of the major cultural events will be a concert by Nino D'Angelo in Piazza Plebiscito, to celebrate the 2500th anniversary of Naples.

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