In August 2025, Santiago de Chile saw the opening of Claro Arena, the fully rebuilt home of Universidad Católica, built on the site of the former Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo in Las Condes. Its position at the foot of the Andes gives the stadium a striking, scenic backdrop.

From San Carlos to Claro Arena – project overview

The original stadium opened in 1988 and was home to the Cruzados for more than three decades. In 2022, the club closed it to start the largest modernization project in its history. Spanish firm IDOM led the design with support from WSP engineers, and construction was carried out by Constructora Cerro Apoquindo 4.

The aim was to create a multifunctional stadium suitable not just for football matches, but also for business and cultural events. The new arena holds 20,249 spectators and features four two-tiered rectangular stands with flat roofs to improve both comfort and acoustics.

A five-story building was integrated into the main stand, housing press facilities, commercial spaces, and operations for logistics and security. Locker rooms were expanded, VIP areas and suites added, and the sound system modernized. The roof was designed to channel sound toward the pitch while reducing external noise. Laminated wood was used in parts of the structure, as well as on facades and interiors, to visually lighten the building and break up the concrete-heavy design.

© IDOM | Claro Arena project

Traditional floodlight towers were removed, replaced with LED lighting. The stadium also has 400 photovoltaic panels to supply match-day energy. Water consumption was reduced by 10% thanks to efficient fixtures, an automatic irrigation system, and a small wastewater treatment plant.

The Claro Arena project faced regulatory hurdles, but the completed stadium now sets a new benchmark for Chilean football venues, improving conditions for players and allowing the club to invest in youth development and first-team facilities.

First-of-its-kind technology in Chile

Claro Arena is the first stadium in Chile equipped with an advanced climate-control system by Midea, one of the country’s largest technological stadium projects. The system adapts to the stadium’s changing occupancy – from 20,000 fans to empty – using VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) technology, saving up to 60% energy compared with traditional systems while maintaining high air quality.

© Cruzados | Claro Arena

A new era for the stadium and Universidad Católica

The renovation of Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo, costing over 50 billion CLP (around $52 million), was not just about modernizing the stadium. Universidad Católica aimed to create a venue capable of generating revenue beyond football, serving as a hub for entertainment, business, and technology. A 20-year naming-rights deal with Claro Chile reinforces this strategy, starting at 45,000 UF per year and ending at 50,000 UF.

The stadium features high-density WiFi 7 and a 5G network, enabling live streaming, on-site purchases, and an immersive experience, aligning with the smart venue concept seen in modern cities and industrial complexes. The renovation also opens a new financial chapter for the club: 46 suites, four corner sectors, and two commercial spaces were sold with long-term leases. Conference rooms are available to generate additional revenue.

Claro Arena also aims at the music sector, hosting 10–12 concerts per year. The stage is set north to south to limit noise for nearby residents, with synthetic turf protected by a removable covering. The stadium accommodates 20,000 spectators, offers 3,800 parking spots, and public transport is coordinated for large events. The 2025 concert lineup includes Lionel Richie (Sept 7), Ricky Martin (Oct 4), Rod Stewart (Oct 19), Miranda! (Nov 8), Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (Nov 15), and Toto with Christopher Cross (Dec 11).

The club emphasizes that the venue is not intended to turn UC into an events company – football remains at its center. The investment is the largest in Chilean sports and entertainment history, setting new standards in connectivity, seating comfort, and quick adaptation between football and concerts.

© Cruzados | Claro Arena

Ceremonial opening

The stadium’s symbolic inauguration took place on August 19, 2025, with the first match attended by fans on August 23. Universidad Católica beat Unión Española 2–0, with goals from Fernando Zampedri and Eduard Bello. The return to home ground ended a three-year wait for supporters.

The ceremony included a skydiver landing on the pitch, a light show, and a video presentation on the stadium’s history and renovation highlights. Fans waved club flags, stands were decorated with banners showing the club’s founding year, and pyrotechnics completed the spectacle. The event concluded with a ribbon-cutting by Juan Tagle and Las Condes mayor Catalina San Martín, followed by the club anthem.