Real Racing Club has approached the Santander City Council and the Government of Cantabria with a proposal to take part in a project aimed at increasing the capacity of the Los Campos de Sport stadium in the El Sardinero district. The club argues that the current venue has become too small, especially given the team’s growing popularity.

The potential of Los Campos de Sport

Racing stresses that the stadium is not only a large structure in an excellent location, but also a place of great sentimental value for the people of Cantabria. The club points out that the facility has huge potential as a hub for social and tourist activity. However, at present the stadium is only used on 21 days a year, which the club believes is far from sufficient considering its possibilities.

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According to Real Racing, the area around the stadium is socially underutilized and remains almost lifeless for most of the year. That is why the club is calling for an increase in capacity, better use of the stadium, improved comfort for the thousands of visitors who attend, and the transformation of the venue’s surroundings into the largest public square in Santander, which could thrive throughout the year.

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Modernization project

In the spring of 2024, the club commissioned IDOM – a consulting, engineering and architecture company – to prepare a preliminary project for the expansion and modernization of the stadium. In October last year, IDOM delivered a detailed proposal that included architectural plans, visualizations, cost analyses, feasibility studies, and a project timeline. The entire cost of the study was covered by the club itself.

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City says no for now, region remains open

Santander’s mayor, Gema Igual, emphasized that the expansion of the stadium is not currently being considered by the city authorities. Speaking to Cadena SER, she said that investing in expansion now would be a waste of public funds, citing the €1.7 million planned for terrace improvements at El Sardinero as an example. She added that the club had presented only visualizations, not a full project with implementation costs. – We are talking about the future. These issues will be addressed in the city’s new General Plan, but for now there is no room to decide what will happen with Los Campos de Sport in the coming years, she stressed.

The club has also asked the city to speed up the works included in the 2022 agreement for the stadium’s modernization. Mayor Igual announced a follow-up meeting to establish the timeline of the remaining works, noting that the roof repairs, which are the city’s responsibility, could begin before the summer. She emphasized, however, that while she understands the club’s desire to shorten deadlines, administrative time is what it is.

Meanwhile, the Government of Cantabria admitted it is not familiar with the details of the project prepared by Real Racing, but remains open to dialogue. Regional officials highlighted the good and smooth cooperation with the club and expressed their willingness to continue discussions, just as they have in the past.