Naples is accelerating the future of the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. The city has developed an ambitious redevelopment plan that aims to transform the Fuorigrotta facility into a modern, European-style, and fan-friendly arena, eliminating one of its most controversial features: the athletics track.
The project, presented by Infrastructure Councillor Edoardo Cosenza through the Municipality's official channels, will be delivered to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and UEFA by July 2026, as part of Italy's bid to host Euro 2032 matches.
Goodbye track, stands very close to the green rectangle
The heart of the redesign is the removal of the athletics track, deemed incompatible with UEFA standards due to the proximity between the fans and the pitch. In its place, a new first tier with "full visibility" will be built, positioned as close as possible to the pitch: 7,5 meters from the Curve side and 6 meters from the Distinti side.
"It's impossible to maintain the track if we want to comply with UEFA regulations," explains Cosenza. "We need to bring spectators closer to the pitch, as has been done in the most iconic oval stadiums: the Parc des Princes in Paris, the Maracanã in Rio, and the Monumental in Buenos Aires." The new layout will ensure a drastically reduced distance compared to the current one (where the stands are over 40 meters from the pitch), improving the atmosphere and overall stadium experience.
Non-stop construction work for Napoli: green light for the third tier.
A crucial point: the construction work won't force Napoli to play elsewhere. The solution identified by the City Council is the reopening of the third tier, closed for over twenty years not due to structural safety issues, but rather to "annoying vibrations" that had caused its suspension.
"With these additional seats available," Cosenza emphasizes, "we'll be able to work on the first tier without losing capacity. Napoli Calcio will be able to continue playing its matches at the Maradona without any disruption."
Posillipo Stand: Napoli will decide
For the Posillipo Stand, the City is awaiting input from the Azzurri. "We have always shared all projects with the club," the councilor added. "They will intervene when they deem appropriate, with suggestions or modifications." The restyling will also include modernizing services, a new exterior aesthetic, and ancillary equipment requested by UEFA, but the City assures that the core of the project (moving the stands closer together, improving visibility, and modernizing the stadium) will continue regardless of whether the 2032 European Championship is awarded.
The athletics track? Moved elsewhere in Fuorigrotta.
As for the removed track, it won't disappear entirely: Mayor Gaetano Manfredi is evaluating various solutions in the Fuorigrotta area, including the CUS (Italian Athletics Federation), the Parco dello Sport in Bagnoli, and the former Italsider area in Bagnoli itself, to keep the facility serving track and field and the community. The overall plan, estimated to be worth approximately €200 million according to initial estimates, aims to give Naples a state-of-the-art stadium capable of competing with major European venues and exalting the passion of Neapolitan fans. By the summer, the dossier will be on the table of the FIGC and UEFA: a new era has dawned for the Maradona.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The project for the new Maradona stadium seems interesting, but there are doubts about its actual construction. I hope the City Council can meet the deadline and avoid any problems during the construction. The athletics track has always been a difficult issue.