Naples has taken a key step regarding the future of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The approved renovation plan is set not only to transform the stadium’s operation but also to strengthen the city’s position in the race to become a host city for Euro 2032.

Detailed plan and vision of a “single tier”

The years-long debate about the stadium's fate is entering the operational phase. Mayor Manfredi announced via social media: Works approved. A concrete modernization plan for Stadio Diego Armando Maradona is being formed. The city leader emphasized that Azzurri fans are well aware of the urgent need for intervention to make the facility more functional and safer.

As reported by the daily Il Mattino, the authorities' ambitions reach a deep reconstruction of the seating structure. The main idea is to redesign the stadium interior following the example of Stadio Olimpico in Rome or the famous Maracanã. The concept assumes creating a single, continuous tier of stands, starting from the current third ring and descending all the way to pitch level. This solution aims primarily to solve the age-old visibility problem and bring the audience closer to the field.

We will present a solution to the most difficult problem posed to us, namely full visibility of the match for spectators. This will be possible thanks to a uniform stand, noted the councilor for infrastructure, Edoardo Cosenza.

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Third ring and capacity increase

The first stage of works, which will start at the end of the current football season, will be structural tests of the third ring. This sector was previously closed due to excessive vibrations, which is now to be eliminated thanks to modern technology.

Funds have already been secured in the municipal budget for installing a prototype stiffening for this part of the structure. At the end of this football season, we will start tests to check if the technology we apply will eliminate the third ring vibrations that caused its closure, explained Councilor Cosenza.

Reactivating the highest tier is crucial for the facility's capacity. Thanks to reopening the third ring, the stadium will gain an additional 10,000 seats, distributed both on the famous Curvas and the straight stands.

Political support and financing

Implementing such an ambitious project requires stable financing and political agreement. Mayor Manfredi noted with satisfaction a new quality in cooperation with regional authorities, while taking a jab at the previous governor, Vincenzo De Luca. Cooperation between local and national institutions – regarding the Maradona, we finally have the region's support as well – allows us to plan, finance, and implement long-term actions, stated the mayor.

The current governor, Roberto Fico, assured of the region's readiness to support Naples' aspirations. It is expected that after the regional budget is approved, between €150 and €200 million could flow from Santa Lucia for this purpose.

© Gaetano Capaldo | By reopening the third ring, the stadium will gain an additional 10,000 seats.

Naples in race for Euro 2032

Approval of renovation works is directly linked to the Italy and Turkey bid to host Euro 2032. Naples is fighting to be among the host cities. Manfredi announced that a key meeting with UEFA delegates will take place in the coming days to finally present the candidacy of Naples and the Maradona stadium.

Naples deserves a stadium worthy of its history, its fans, and its future as an increasingly modern city, summarized Manfredi, emphasizing that modernization is essential to meet great international events.

Relations with the club and Aurelio De Laurentiis

City authorities assure that SSC Napoli is kept informed of progress, even though President Aurelio De Laurentiis has repeatedly expressed a desire to build a completely new facility. However, Councilor Cosenza remains realistic, noting that building a new stadium in a short time is unlikely.

The president is informed. Furthermore, the agreement expires in the 2027/28 season and will certainly be extended, said Cosenza, adding that the contract will be reviewed, as he does not expect the club to have a new home by 2028.

Importantly, the current modernization project respects the club's earlier concepts. The arrangement of the VIP area, boxes, and sky boxes is to remain consistent with architect Zavanella's design from a few years ago, indicating an attempt at compromise between the city's vision and the club's needs.