Real Sociedad targeting stadium expansion

Spanish LaLiga football club Real Sociedad has announced plans to expand its Reale Arena in a move that will enhance its position to become one of the venues for the country’s co-hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Reale Arena was included as the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in July 2022 announced a shortlist of 15 venues seeking to host matches during the World Cup. The 2030 World Cup will take place in six countries spanning three continents after FIFA in October confirmed that the bulk of games will be held in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to host “celebratory” matches during the tournament.

With a minimum of 40,000 seats needed to become a World Cup venue, the Reale Arena, with its current capacity of around 39,300, had been under threat. However, speaking at a general shareholders’ meeting, club officials spelled out how they are hoping to raise capacity to over 41,000 seats.

According to 2Playbook, Real president, Jokin Aperribay, said the increase in capacity is expected to be carried out without problems. The club is already said to have spoken with San Sebastián City Council, owner and operator of the venue which opened in 1993, requesting permission to carry out the project. 

The club’s board of directors has proposed an initial expansion of 1,700 seats, with the project also set to help address a season ticket waiting list which currently sits at more than 3,000 fans.