September 5 – Atletico Madrid want to develop a football campus next to their Metropolitano Stadium in a bid to expand their sporting activities.
The development, if green lighted by local authorities, would feature up to eight football pitches, a mini stadium, a restaurant and training facilities that would mirror Atletico’s academies in Alcala de Henares and Alcorcon, according to Spanish media.
Approval for the mini stadium is dependent on its ability to stage second-division matches or European level youth championships, which would require a minimum capacity of 6,500.
The club would invest almost €60 million in the campus with work to be completed in 2024. The naming rights of the campus would belong to Wanda Sports, the sports arm of the Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group, who own the naming rights to Atletico’s Stadium. In 2018, the Chinese company committed €47 million to the campus project.
The sale of the club’s old home, the Vicente Calderon Stadium, raised almost €182 million, enabling Atletico Madrid to channel sufficient funding into the projected campus.
The construction aims to enhance the fan experience as well. The Metropolitano Stadium is located on the outskirts on the Spanish capital as a standalone venue.
Last season, the stadium hosted its first international flagship match with the Champions League final between Liverpool and Tottenham, an all-English affair that Jurgen Klopp’s team won 2-0.
After winning their first three matches, Atletico sit top of LaLiga.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1735282173labto1735282173ofdlr1735282173owedi1735282173sni@o1735282173fni1735282173