Estadio Atanasio Girardot in Medellín is set for a major redevelopment. The project includes increasing the capacity to around 60,000 seats, adding a new tier of stands and modernising the infrastructure of one of Colombia’s most important stadiums.

Renovation of Estadio Atanasio Girardot officially enters a new stage

Authorities in Medellín have launched the formal process of modernising Estadio Atanasio Girardot, one of the most important sports venues in Colombia. A complete set of technical documentation and a preliminary architectural design has been submitted to the local urban planning authority, allowing the city to obtain a construction licence for the investment.

The documentation includes architectural and structural designs as well as specialised analyses related to safety, soil conditions and the site’s topography. At the same time, additional expert reports on public safety and the organisation of mass events have been prepared. All these elements are required in the process of obtaining a construction permit for projects involving such a large intervention in existing stadium infrastructure.

The stadium in Medellín will increase its capacity to around 60,000 spectators

One of the most important elements of the project is a significant increase in the stadium’s capacity. Currently, Atanasio Girardot can accommodate around 45,000 fans, but after the renovation the number of seats will rise to nearly 60,000. The capacity expansion will primarily be achieved through the construction of a new third tier of stands. The new structure will be built above the existing stands and will function as an independent construction designed in accordance with the latest engineering standards.

The project also includes the installation of a new seating system throughout the stadium, improved accessibility for people with disabilities and an increase in the number of restrooms and food outlets. According to the plans, the number of sanitary facilities at the stadium will increase by approximately 33%.

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Construction of the third stand at Estadio Atanasio Girardot

The central element of the investment will be the construction of a new stand that will become the highest part of the stadium. The structure will be based on a system of steel structural portals arranged around the facility. The design includes the construction of 54 massive structural porticoes whose height will range from approximately 40 to 50 metres. Each of them will rest on foundations reaching as deep as 18 metres underground. Such deep foundations are necessary to ensure the stability of the new structure and the safe transfer of loads to the ground.

The new stand will be located above the existing stands, which will change their function after the reconstruction. The current upper tier will become an intermediate level between the lower part of the stadium and the new highest tier.

New roof structure at Atanasio Girardot will improve fan comfort

The modernisation also includes the construction of a new roof structure. The current roof covering parts of the stadium is already outdated and in some places requires urgent technical intervention. For this reason, one of the first stages of the investment will be the demolition of the roof above the western stand.

Once it is removed, construction of a new steel structure will begin, providing a much larger roof coverage area than the current one. The new roof is intended to protect fans from rain and sun while also improving the stadium’s acoustics during sporting events and concerts. The designers have also planned solutions that will allow stadium lighting, sound systems and modern multimedia screens to be integrated into the roof structure.

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Modernisation of technological infrastructure at Atanasio Girardot

The stadium reconstruction will not be limited to structural elements. As part of the project, a comprehensive modernisation of technological systems responsible for safety and event management is also planned. The new stadium monitoring system will include an expanded network of cameras and a central security management centre. Plans also include the modernisation of entry control points and the installation of new gates enabling more efficient crowd management.

City authorities also plan to introduce a modern event management system covering sound systems, lighting and digital solutions supporting the organisation of mass events.

Investment in the stadium in Medellín will exceed 750 billion pesos

The total cost of the investment is estimated at more than 750 billion Colombian pesos, making it one of the largest sports infrastructure projects in the history of Medellín. The project includes not only the renovation of the stadium itself but also the redevelopment of the public space surrounding the facility. In total, the modernisation will cover more than 32,000 square metres of stadium surface and nearly 33,000 square metres of urban space in its immediate surroundings.

City authorities emphasise that the investment is also intended to improve pedestrian connectivity and the functionality of the entire Atanasio Girardot sports complex, which is one of the most important recreational centres in the region.

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Construction schedule for Estadio Atanasio Girardot

If administrative procedures proceed according to plan, preliminary tender documents for contractors are expected to be published in April. In May, the official tender for construction works is scheduled to be announced. The contractor is expected to be selected in June, while construction work is planned to begin at the end of July. The first visible stage of the project will be the dismantling of the old roof above the western stand and the preparation of the site for the foundations of the new structure.

According to current assumptions, the entire stadium modernisation project should be completed in December 2027.

Estadio Atanasio Girardot will remain a public facility of the city of Medellín

Authorities in Medellín emphasise that despite the enormous scale of the investment, the stadium will remain a fully public facility. This means it will continue to be managed by the city and available for various sporting and cultural events. On a daily basis, the stadium serves as the home ground for the city’s two largest football clubs — Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín. The renovation is intended to improve conditions both for these teams and for organisers of international sporting events.

The authorities of Medellín hope that after the project is completed, Estadio Atanasio Girardot will become one of the most modern sports venues in Latin America and an important element of the city’s international promotion.

© Alcaldía de Medellín