The Gol Stand is already standing empty and will disappear from the map of Vigo in a matter of weeks. At a crucial moment for Celta Vigo's European aspirations, Estadio Abanca Balaídos loses an entire sector and thousands seats for two years.

History gives way to modernity

A relegation, which odds were calculated as 96%, avoided in the last game. Mostovoy's goal that gave Celta their only ever trophy - the Intertoto Cup. The debut of youngster Iago Aspas, who with two goals saved the club from relegation to the third tier, and later became the best player in the club's history. These are just some of the moments that will always be remembered by those Celestes who sat in the Gol Stand. A stand that will be demolished in a few weeks.

More than 30 metres away from the playing area, single-level, covered by an unusual concrete roof, the Gol stand will disappear in April to be reborn in a new shape. It will have two levels, a corrugated blue facade and a canopy - just like the other stands that have already been rebuilt - and the distance to the pitch will drop to 8 metres. Instead, its capacity will increase, from 4,200 to 6,400 seats. But this moment, the culmination of a redevelopment that has been dragging on since 2015, is still two years away.

© Miguel Ciolczyk Garcia | The Gol Stand has not changed since the 1969-71 redevelopment.

Sky blue chairs throughout Galicia

Until the work is completed - according to the plan in early 2027 - the capacity of Estadio Abanca Balaídos will be of only 20,739 seats. That's 2,000 less than the average attendance this season. The lack of an entire sector could prove to be a problem for a team that is in contention for European cups and has turned its home venue into a fortress. However, Celta managed to win their first match with no fans on the Gol Stand by 2:1 against Leganes this weekend.

During Saturday's clash, the stand was even empty of chairs. These will go to the stadiums of small clubs across Galicia. The Gol seats that experienced so much excitement at the Abanca Balaídos will continue to be useful at other sporting venues, bringing the sky blue spirit to different areas of our community, the club reported.

However, the disappearance of these chairs will hit the club's finances, especially after the relocation of socios, who went from Gol to the seats previously allocated for sale. Along with the season ticket holders, the box office has also been relocated to a newly created area where a club consultant will be available for fans.

And although everything should be back to normal at Balaídos in two years' time, it is possible that Celta’s home will undergo another redevelopment, aimed at meeting the requirements for the 2030 World Cup, which Mayor Abel Caballero is still fighting for.

© Faro de Vigo | Of the 4,200 Gol chairs, 800 will go to Celta's sports city and the rest to around 20 venues across Galicia.