January 6 – Argentine giants Boca Juniors want to expand their Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires to become a state-of-the-art venue with a larger capacity.
It is an ambition endorsed by all three of the club’s presidential candidates who rather than see the iconic ground demolished and rebuilt, see renovation as the route to improvement.
The current ground has a capacity of about 49,000, which at times is problematic for a club with an active membership of 87,000 and a significant global fan base.
The club’s presidential candidates – Gribaudo, Beraldi and Ameal – have all presented different ideas for the future of the stadium, but the project for the ‘Bombonera 360’ seems to have the most traction.
The project outlines a three-tiered closed and roofed stadium with a 78,000 capacity. The idea for ‘Bombonera 360’ was launched in 2015 after survey suggested the design had the greatest social acceptance.
If plans go ahead, redeveloping the stadium would take about three years. The expansion would require the club to purchase properties adjacent to the stadium. Presale of VIP boxes would help amortise the construction costs. Boca also intends to turn the stadium into a mixed-use facility with restaurants that would be open throughout the week as well as bringing other activities and events to the venue.
The Estadio Alberto J. Armando was opened in 1940 and gained the nickname La Bombonera – the chocolate box – due to its shape with a flat stand on one side of the pitch and three steep stands. The stadium hosts rock concerts on non-match days.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1732432867labto1732432867ofdlr1732432867owedi1732432867sni@o1732432867fni1732432867