Featured image credit: Universidad Católica
Chilean Primera División football club Universidad Católica (UC) has announced that Claro Arena will be the new name of its stadium following a complete redevelopment.
UC agreed a 20-year naming rights deal with telecommunications company Claro in February 2022 to aid the transformation plan for its Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo, but its identity for its new era was only announced yesterday (Thursday).
Santiago-based UC is considered to be one of Chilean football’s ‘Big Three’ and is redeveloping and expanding its stadium, which opened in 1988, from a capacity of 14,000 to 20,000. The new-look Claro Arena is expected to be one of the most modern and sustainable in South America, hosting an array of sporting events, as well as cultural and entertainment shows.
UC played its final match in its ‘old’ home on August 20, 2022. Work began on the project in the first half of 2022 and had originally been expected to be completed by early 2024. However, progress has been slower than expected and with the stadium now said to be at 85% completion, the target is for it to be ready in April 2025, to coincide with the club’s 88th anniversary.
Héctor Gómez, marketing manager of Claro Chile, said: “Claro Arena, a stadium with full 5G connectivity, will offer a unique, connected and sustainable experience for the entire community.
“This venue, the most modern in South America, will be a symbol of innovation: a multipurpose space designed to bring people together and promote social development. As a company, we are proud to be part of this milestone that will mark a before and after in the history of sports, culture and entertainment in our country.”
Claro Arena will have a photovoltaic plant that will generate the energy that the stadium will require for its daily operation, while all additional energy requirements on days of major events will be provided by a certified energy supply of 100% renewable origin.
Other elements include a grey water treatment plant, reforestation of the surroundings with native species that require low water consumption, in addition to the stadium build using green steel and wood in the facades and the roof structures.
President of Cruzados, Juan Tagle, said: “This announcement represents for Cruzados the completion of a historic agreement in the area of sports management. A step like the one Universidad Católica is taking today demonstrates how important the support of private companies is for the evolution of sports.
“We are truly very pleased to welcome Claro Arena and we invite all Cruzados to feel proud of this enormous effort that those of us who love UC have made to have a great stadium that will soon be fully operational.”
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