Featured image credit: Atlético de Madrid
Atlético de Madrid has expanded the capacity of the Riyadh Air Metropolitano to 70,692 with a series of upgrades, while plans have been announced to transform the stadium into an ice-skating rink over the Christmas period.
The club has launched two new Skyboxes, expanded some VIP lounges, and created new spaces for fans with disabilities to increase the capacity of the Metropolitano. The previous capacity of the stadium was 70,460.
The new Skyboxes will seat 22 people each and will provide exclusive spaces for fans to watch matches and concerts. The spaces will have a lounge, kitchen and outdoor balcony overlooking the pitch.
The Skyboxes will be open year-round for meetings and private meals. Guests will have direct access from the underground car park and will be treated to a “unique” gastronomic experience from a private chef.
Improvements have also been made to the signage elements at the entrances to the stadium on its outdoor platform. A large multi-lane service road has also been opened near the stadium to allow easier access to the venue and ease traffic congestion on match days.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitano will next month become one of the largest skating rinks in Europe after Atlético announced plans for ‘Madrid On Ice’. More than 4,760 square metres of ice will be installed around the pitch, creating capacity for more than 1,500 simultaneous skaters.
The experience will be open from December 21 to January 5. No football matches will be played at the stadium during this period as LaLiga takes a winter break.
The experience will also include skating workshops for children and adults, light shows on the ice, and stalls selling churros and chocolate, roasted chestnuts and cotton candy.
Last month, Atlètico announced that Riyadh Air, the new national airline of Saudi Arabia, had acquired naming rights to the stadium. Riyadh Air replaced real estate developer Cívitas, which held naming rights for two years. Prior to that, the Metropolitano was sponsored by Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group.
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