The Minister of Culture and Sports of the Andalusian Government, Patricia del Pozo, has visited the La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, where the expansion works of the Andalusian sports venue are being finalized, increasing the seating capacity from 52,000 to over 70,000 net seats for fans.
Del Pozo stated, «The installation of the turf and the new grandstand will be fully completed next week, before Easter, in time to host the major Spanish football event, the Copa del Rey Final on April 26, featuring FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.»
Media outlets that have visited the La Cartuja Stadium have firsthand witnessed the progress of the works. Del Pozo emphasized that «the final touches are being made to the civil works around the turf, as well as the lower stands’ exits, which complement the turf installation. Additionally, the interior finishes, public restrooms, player tunnel, and other interior areas are nearing completion for next week, when final cleaning operations will commence.»
Patricia del Pozo also noted, «Thus, we meet, five years in advance, the FIFA requirement for this sports venue to become a landmark for the 2030 World Cup, with the capacity to host matches of the major national teams’ competition. This project involves an investment of 15 million euros, with 10 million contributed by the Andalusian Government in 2022, and the rest through financial leveraging by the La Cartuja Stadium management company.»
Finally, the minister highlighted that «yesterday (April 3), the installation of the turf began, scheduled to be completed by early next week (April 7), in time for the finalists’ visit. Within just 24 hours of work, approximately 1,500 square meters of the total 8,800 square meters of turf have been laid. Moreover, the installation of the new seats is currently at 80%, with completion scheduled by the end of next week. In other words, next week will see the conclusion of the most visible operations of the project, the pitch and the new stands, with only more specific tasks remaining.»
To accommodate the expanded capacity, the number of access turnstiles has also been increased, with full installation completed and the system currently operational. There has also been intervention to optimize the sports lighting, prompted by the change in the field’s elevation. After the necessary modifications, including the removal and extension of the selected luminaires as per calculations, on Monday, April 7, the lights will be adjusted to ensure the required uniformity and power for broadcasting.
Regarding the playing turf, with a total area of 8,800 square meters, requiring the use of 21 trucks for transportation, a mixed variety tepe of 60% poa and 40% ryegrass has been selected from Tapiz Verde company’s Los Llanos estate in La Herguijuela, near Plasencia.
Three weeks ahead of the Copa del Rey Final, cleaning works have already begun in the stands and in areas where the works are fully completed. Interior signage works have also been finalized, and the telecommunications and internet network has been implemented and is in its final testing phase. On Wednesday, April 9, the player and referee benches will be installed.
The entire expansion project of the La Cartuja venue’s stands is being carried out and completed by a team of over 60 technicians and 500 workers, who have worked double shifts to ensure everything is perfectly finished and fully operational.
Lastly, in collaboration with the Seville City Council, a resurfacing of the southern access to the La Cartuja Stadium has been scheduled for the week of April 14, along with the refurbishment and cleaning of the surrounding area.