Celta and the city of Vigo have signed a new lease agreement. The club will play at the 98-year-old stadium until the next century, if it so wishes… and will also be able to host concerts. “This agreement will make us stronger,” says the club’s president.

Another 75 years at Balaídos in exchange for €800,000, subject to increase

On Friday, Celta Vigo and the City Council formalised the new lease for Estadio Abanca Balaídos. The previous agreement was due to expire in 2034. However, thanks to the signing of the new contract, the Celta side will remain at their home ground for a further 50 years, extendable to 75.

In return, will pay €802,837 per year, a figure that will increase by 2% each year. This This means that by 2076 it will be close to 2.2 million, and by 2101 it would exceed 3.5 million euros. However, the fee could vary depending on whether Celta play in European competitions, whether they remain in the top flight or are relegated, but also on potential investments in the Balaídos stadium or concerts.

Indeed, Marián Mouriño, the Celta president, states that the aim is for us to be able to enjoy events and concerts at Balaídos as well as football. She adds that this deal will make us stronger.

© Miguel Ciołczyk Garcia | Balaídos has a capacity of 22.900, which will increase to 29.000 once the works on the Gol Stand end.

Balaídos: 98 years of history and the fifth-oldest stadium in La Liga

The new lease is of particular significance to Celta Vigo, which has barely played at any home ground other than Balaídos. The club has played there since the stadium opened in 1928, a milestone achieved five years after the club’s foundation in 1923.

Since then, the stadium has changed a great deal: it has undergone several refurbishments, witnessed the joys and sorrows of the Celta fans, and also hosted the 1982 World Cup. In fact, the Celeste’s home ground is the fifth oldest in La Liga, surpassed only by El Molinón, Mestalla, La Cerámica and Mendizorrotza.

Nowadays, Balaídos faces another challenges: completing the reconstruction of the Gol stand and securing a place at the 2030 World Cup. But to achieve this latter goal, it will be essential to renovate the Tribuna stand, bringing capacity up to 41,000 spectators. However, the task does not seem easy, as the mayor of Vigo himself has admitted that he does not yet have a plan for this expansion.