Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
MARBELLA City Council awarded a 75 year land concession to Marbella FC Foundation for the development of a new ambitious football stadium complex which could host matches at the FIFA World Cup 2030.
The €114 million private investment project will transform the site of the old Antonio Lorenzo Cuevas stadium into a state-of-the-art sports facility with a capacity increase from 8,000 to 10,000 seats, meeting FIFA international standards.
Mayor Angeles Muñoz announced on Monday that demolition of the old facilities at the Huerta de los Cristales thoroughfare could begin ‘immediately’ once the Foundation submits its formal project.
READ MORE Estepona, Spain plans a sprawling sports complex that will include an indoor pool and 12 courts
The mayor stated that there was a lot of enthusiasm and willingness from all parties involved. I think we will sign the contract within the next few days.
She emphasised that the initiative is a top priority for the Urban Planning Department as it represents both ‘economic activity’ and ‘job creation.’
Following a November public tender, the final approval was given on 15th May.
Under the agreement, the Foundation will pay the council an annual fee of €221,510, totalling €16,613,250 over the full 75-year term.
According to the project’s financial plan, the stadium is expected to generate €9.8 million in revenue in its first year, rising to €17.3 million from the fifth year onward.
The development is projected to create between 1,600 and 2,300 new jobs – including 800 direct, 700 indirect, and 400 induced roles.
The City Council estimates the GDP impact will range between €36 million and €50 million, representing approximately 0.2% of Malaga province’s total GDP.
The complex has been designed as much more than a football stadium.
Plans include the construction of a 90-room sport hotel with up to 140 guest event spaces, as well as a fine dining restaurant on top and a lobby bar. There are also plans for a 1,000 space underground parking lot and commercial areas.
The 1,500 square metre training centre will feature cutting edge equipment, including massage rooms.
The stadium is primarily designed as a football venue but it can also host concerts and other major events. However, the plan stipulates that the non-sporting use of the facility will not exceed 20 percent of its total floor area.
The project plan submitted by the Foundation outlines the development of ‘a new municipal stadium in Marbella for hosting sports activities,’ featuring ‘9,500 general seats and 500 VIP or box seats,’ as well as ‘a dignitary tribune and private terraces for restaurants.’
The Marbella FC Foundation stated last November that ‘the project serves the public interest, as its profits are reinvested in its founding aims: to promote grassroots sport in Marbella, boost the city’s tourism image, and develop programmes for young people at risk of social exclusion.’
Construction could begin soon after the €1.5 million demolition of the existing stadium.
Marbella is now a step closer to its sporting goals, as it has ambitions to host the FIFA World Cup jointly hosted in 2030 by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
