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Atlético eyes sports city development on Wanda Metropolitano site

Spanish LaLiga football club Atlético Madrid is reportedly exploring plans to build a wide-ranging sports city next to its Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

Spanish sport business news website Palco23 reported that Madrid City Council has estimated that the project would cost up to €59.6m (£53.4m/$65.9m). If the plans are approved, work could begin as early as 2020 and be finished by 2024.

The development would include a new training complex for Atlético comprising eight pitches, as well as a possible mini-stadium that would host Atlético Madrid B and academy matches.

Atlético Madrid B currently plays its matches at the Cerro del Espino stadium in Majadahonda and the new development would see the team incorporated into the Wanda Metropolitano complex.

However, Palco23 noted that a new mini-stadium is not set in stone. Approval for the venue would be dependent on its ability to host Segunda División matches or European-level youth championships, which require a capacity of at least 6,500.

Palco23 added that the new stadium, which could also host Atlético’s successful women’s team, would be located on the southern part of the site near the train station fans use to travel to the Metropolitano.

The 67,000-seat Wanda Metropolitano opened in 2017 and replaced the Vicente Calderón as Atlético’s home stadium. The stadium hosted the UEFA Champions League final earlier this year.

Image: fernandopascullo