Plans are being explored for a temporary 20,000-seat modular stadium for Real Zaragoza to play at while the Estadio La Romareda undergoes renovation work.
Last week, the Spanish Segunda División club announced a timeline for the complete redevelopment of La Romareda, as the stadium bids to become a host venue during the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The stadium’s capacity will expand from around 33,000 to 43,184, with work set to begin this summer and be completed in 2028. The club said last week that the stadium would maintain a capacity of 20,000 while the work is carried out, but now plans have been outlined for a separate modular stadium so the Romareda project can be completed sooner.
The board of directors at the La Nueva Romareda entity, which has been formed by the club, Zaragoza City Council and the Government of Aragon, has agreed to the new plan.
Mayor of Zaragoza Natalia Chueca has announced that technical and economic studies will be commissioned to analyse the viability and possibility of building a 20,000-seat modular stadium on the grounds of the north parking lot of the Expo site in the Actur Rey Fernando neighbourhood.
To execute the plan, the Government of Aragon must temporarily transfer the land of the Expo north parking lot to the La Nueva Romareda company. The studies into the proposal are expected to take two to three weeks.
Architecture firm IDOM, which has led the design of the Nueva Romareda, will be engaged to study a reformulation of the construction project, which would potentially only take two years instead of four.
Real Zaragoza would spend the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons at the modular stadium.
Chueca said: “The construction project of the new football stadium would shorten the deadlines, with the consequent economic savings for the project, but also minimise the inconvenience to the people of Zaragoza and the hospital area.”
She added: “Security would be maximised and comfort would be gained for Real Zaragoza and its fans, avoiding trips outside the city and guaranteeing a stable field during the works on La Nueva Romareda.”
The Nueva Romareda is aiming to be selected as a host venue for the 2030 World Cup, which Spain is set to co-host alongside Portugal and Morocco. Celebratory matches will also take place in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay to mark 100 years since the first World Cup in Uruguay.
La Romareda has been included on the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)’s 15-venue shortlist of potential World Cup venues.
