Maradona Stadium, here's the project for the future: 60 seats, goodbye to the athletics track, and more VIP areas.

Naples is relaunching its bid to host some matches of the 2032 European Football Championship, with an ambitious project to completely transform the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. The City has presented the redevelopment plan for the Fuorigrotta stadium, which has already been submitted to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and UEFA through a dossier containing over 500 technical drawings.

Mayor Gaetano Manfredi called the project the result of over a year of work and discussions between technicians and institutions, emphasizing that Naples represents the capital of Italian and international football and must necessarily be among the five cities that will host the continental event.
There are currently thirteen Italian cities in the running to obtain one of the available places.

The new Maradona: less distance from the pitch and 60 spectators

The heart of the project concerns the transformation of the stadium into a modern facility that perfectly complies with the standards required by UEFA.

The stadium will have a capacity of approximately 60 seats, while the athletics track, a feature that has traditionally distanced spectators from the pitch, will disappear. The new facility will feature a single ring, bringing the stands approximately seven meters from the pitch, ensuring a much more immersive view and an atmosphere similar to that of major European stadiums.

More comfort, hospitality and exclusive spaces

Great attention will be paid to the spectator experience. The project includes a significant increase in hospitality areas, with approximately 7 square meters dedicated to reception and services.
At the request of SSC Napoli, numerous skyboxes will be built in the central stand, each with sixteen seats and a reserved lounge, while approximately 600 super VIP seats will be available.
Among the new features are experiential spaces for fans, with large glass surfaces that will allow them to watch the teams enter the pitch up close.

A spectacular entrance for the footballers

The project also redesigns the path that leads players to the pitch.
The entrance will be transformed into a true ceremonial area, directly connected to the hospitality area, designed to enhance one of the most evocative moments of the pre-match and improve the experience of the spectators in attendance.

Transport and work schedule

The new Maradona will be served by a dedicated mobility system, with connections via three public transport lines.
The city administration's goal is to begin work in the second half of 2027 and complete the redevelopment by 2031, thus delivering a completely renovated stadium to the city, regardless of the outcome of the Euro 2032 bid.

The challenge with the De Laurentiis project

The dossier sent to the FIGC also includes a second scenario for the future of Neapolitan football.
Alongside the public redevelopment project for the Maradona stadium, there is also a proposal from President Aurelio De Laurentiis to build a company-owned stadium in the eastern part of the city, in an area undergoing reclamation work.

This dual candidacy demonstrates Naples' desire to strengthen its role in the national and international football scene, leaving open the debate on where Napoli's home will be in the coming decades.
Daily analysis

The project represents one of the most significant infrastructure projects for the city in recent years. The decision to eliminate the athletics track brings the Maradona closer to the standards of major European stadiums, improving visibility, atmosphere, and economic sustainability thanks to the expansion of premium and hospitality areas, now essential to the management of modern stadiums.

Politically and strategically, the redevelopment project has a value that goes beyond football: hosting Euro 2032 would attract investment, international tourism, and accelerate the development of urban infrastructure. However, it remains to be seen how the negotiations with the private stadium project promoted by SSC Napoli, which is set to impact the future of the city's sports facilities, will evolve.