Estadio Carranza – stadium description

Where did Cádiz CF footballers play before the construction of the current stadium?

From 1933, Cádiz CF's new home was the Campo de Deportes Mirandilla. It was a modest stadium, standing in the shadow of a much more imposing bullring. Over time it became too small for the club, and in 1947 an explosion in the nearby harbour caused damage to the structure. Efforts were therefore made to build a new stadium.

When was the Cádiz CF stadium opened?

Works started in May 1954, construction cost 11 million pesetas and were completed in August 1955. The opening of the arena took place on 2nd September 1955 and the highlight of the day-long celebrations was the home friendly against FC Barcelona which finished 0:4. The construction of the arena coincided with Cádiz CF's promotion to the Segunda División in the 1954/55 season.

What did the Estadio Carranza look like at the beginning?

The new facility was equipped with an athletics track, which was surrounded on all sides by stands that could hold a total of 15,000 spectators. The main stand, located on the west side, had a slightly curved profile, while the opposite, eastern stand continued in a straight line parallel to the side lines of the pitch. The distinctive feature of the eastern stand was its central 30-metre high tower, known as "La Torre de Preferencia". The architects of the arena were Manuel Muñoz Monasterio and Fernandez Pujol.

How Estadio Carranza compares to other LaLiga Hypermotion stadiums?

Who is the patron of the Cádiz CF stadium?

The new stadium was named after Ramón de Carranza (Estadio Municipal Ramón de Carranza), a military figure, politician and entrepreneur who, among other things, served as administrator (alcalde) of Cadiz. Two days after its opening, the stadium hosted a friendly tournament, also named after Ramón de Carranza (Trofeo Ramón de Carranza). The organisation of this tournament later became a tradition and it is played every year, with the participation of many famous clubs and footballers.

Why was the patron name removed from the stadium in Cadiz?

In 2021, as part of a drive to remove names associated with the Franco regime, the stadium was stripped of Ramón de Carranza's name (he was involved on the Nationalist side during the Spanish Civil War) and named Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla (a reference to the club's previous facility). However, since the facility was named after Carranza for many years, and the former alcalde's involvement in any repressions is disputed, it was decided in 2024 that he could continue to be the stadium's patron. The new name is shorter than the previous one (Estadio Carranza).

What happened in the first few decades after Estadio Carranza was built?

In 1957 floodlights were installed in the stadium. In 1977 Cádiz CF were promoted to the Primera División for the first time in their history. On 14th November 1979 the Spanish national football team played their first match in this ground, losing a friendly against Denmark 1:3 (in later years the national team occasionally returned to Cadiz).

What was the first redevelopment of the stadium in Cadiz like?

The first major modernisation of the arena took place in 1984. Work began in May and was completed after four months, resulting in both the roofing of the main stand and the construction of a completely new stand behind the north goal. It was built much closer to the football pitch, which also meant the removal of the athletics track. As a result of the adjustments, the capacity of the venue increased to 23,000 spectators.

What did the second extension to the Cádiz CF stadium involve?

The next major redevelopment of the facility took place between 2003 and 2012. The work was carried out in stages. Between 2003 and 2005, completely new two-storey stands were built on the east and south sides. The demolition of the old eastern stand resulted in the removal of the distinctive tower. The south stand, like the north one in the 1984 modernisation, was brought closer to the end line of the pitch.

In the years 2006–2008 the north stand was modified, giving it the same shape as the recently built new south stand. The final stage, carried out between 2011 and 2012, was the comprehensive reconstruction of the main west stand. After completion of the upgrade, the capacity of the stadium was set at 25,033 spectators.