January 23 – Real Betis have released new renderings of their ambitious plan to modernise the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville, with construction slated to begin at the end of the current season.
The revamped venue is set to be completed for the 2027/28 campaign, promising to redefine the matchday experience for fans while positioning the club for long-term financial growth.
During an Ordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting on Tuesday, club president Ángel Haro shared fresh details about the project. The decision to rebuild the stadium reflects Betis’s desire to address its aging infrastructure and make a “qualitative and quantitative leap in income” to bolster the club’s competitiveness on and off the pitch.
The club will integrate a leisure facility adjacent to the stadium, which will include a large hotel, a clinic, and a wellness centre. These additions aim to create a year-round destination for visitors and further diversify Betis’s revenue streams.
Meanwhile, the new Benito Villamarín will have a reduced seating capacity of 60,000, compared to the current 60,721. However, this adjustment is designed to make way for increased VIP seating, which will rise from 1,200 to 3,700 seats.
Haro acknowledged fan criticism of the VIP expansion but pointed out that Betis’s approach is modest compared to rivals. By comparison, Barcelona’s revamped Camp Nou will feature 7,000 VIP seats, while Sevilla’s Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium dedicates roughly 10% of its capacity to premium seating.
The new stadium will also boast a new roof as well as integrated sound, lighting, and video technology to enhance the fan experience. Two new video scoreboards will replace the current ones, while rainwater collection systems will meet with the club’s sustainability efforts.
Construction is underway and Betis will temporarily move to Seville’s Estadio de La Cartuja, in an effort to cause minimal disruption to fans during the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons.
While there has been some resistance from fans, Haro remains confident that the project will deliver both a better matchday experience and the financial foundation needed for Betis to continue its growth. As he told shareholders, the new stadium represents “an essential step forward” for the club.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1737661403labto1737661403ofdlr1737661403owedi1737661403sni@g1737661403niwe.1737661403yrrah1737661403