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A major renovation project has been proposed for Estadio Gran Canaria, home of LaLiga football club UD Las Palmas, as it aims to be included on the list of venues for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The stadium has a current capacity of around 32,000 and is owned and operated by the council, the Cabildo de Gran Canaria. The council has proposed a €79m (£69m/$84m) project to increase the stadium’s capacity to 44,462, Spanish news agency EFE has reported.
The upgrades would be carried out regardless of whether the stadium is selected as a host venue for the World Cup, which Spain will co-host alongside Portugal and Morocco, as well as Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
The project would include a roof for the stadium and new stands in the Naciente and Sur sections. The stadium would also be fitted with a new exterior façade that can adapt to new technologies.
Reports have suggested that the stadium will not make the cut for the World Cup, but Antonio Morales, president of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, has said its candidacy is “solid and solvent”.
In July last year, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced a shortlist of 15 venues that are seeking to host matches during the World Cup. Estadio Gran Canaria was included alongside Balaídos (Vigo), Riazor (La Coruña), El Molinón Enrique Castro Quini (Gijón), San Mamés (Bilbao), Anoeta (San Sebastián), La Romareda (Zaragoza), Camp Nou (Barcelona), RCDE Stadium (Cornellá-El Prat), Santiago Bernabéu and Cívitas Metropolitano (both Madrid), Nuevo Mestalla (Valencia), Nueva Condomina (Murcia), La Cartuja (Sevilla-Santiponce), and La Rosaleda (Malaga).
Last week, Real Zaragoza, Zaragoza City Council and the Government of Aragon agreed terms on a financial plan for the complete redevelopment of La Romareda in a bid to boost the stadium’s chances of being selected for the World Cup.
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