The new Marbella stadium with a capacity for 10,000 spectators will feature a hotel, parking facilities, and a shopping area.

The Marbella City Council and the Marbella F.C. Foundation have signed a 75-year concession for the land to develop the project for the new stadium of football, located at Huerta de los Cristales crossroad, whose construction is expected to start at the end of 2025 or 2026. The facility will have a capacity for 10,000 spectators, a hotel, commercial areas, and more than a thousand parking spaces, as highlighted this Monday by the club's representative, Esteban Granero.

The concession for the execution and exploitation of the venue was signed by Granero and the Mayor of Marbella, Ángeles Muñoz, in an agreement that includes a total investment by the entity of more than 114 million euros.

The project includes the construction of a new football stadium with a capacity for 10,000 spectators on the municipal plot of 45,000 square meters where the old Antonio Lorenzo Cuevas stands, which will be demolished after signing the concession. It also includes the construction of a hotel with 84 rooms, a commercial area, or more than a thousand underground parking spaces.

During the event, considered a "symbolic first stone," the representative of Marbella F.C. indicated that among the foundational purposes of the foundation is "to promote the grassroots sport of the city," in relation to "the rest of" local clubs. Thus, he pointed out that the "mechanisms" proposed by these for collaboration will be considered, highlighting that each will have "its needs and its issues."

"Now Marbella F. C. will have more capacity to attract all the players who will make it possible for it to be in the elite of football soon," Granero said, who noted that "we cannot aspire to elite football without the stadium."

Demolition and Construction Works

Granero indicated that the demolition of the old stadium will have an execution period "of 4 or 5 months," emphasizing that the collapse "will be practically immediate." At this point, he mentioned that the entity already has a company to undertake the work, ensuring that "it is ready to start directly" and has "the technicians who will be in charge."

Regarding the new stadium's works, he pointed out that "the idea is that the construction development begins right after," estimating that it could start "at the end of 2025 or in 2026." Thus, he mentioned that the idea is to do "parallel" to the demolition works "a contest, once the technical project is ready," for "the selection of the construction companies while it is being demolished."

"The intention is that in parallel to the demolition the contest is ready and we can identify which is the appropriate construction company or companies for this project, always advised by experts, so that at the moment the demolition is done, the construction works can be started continuously," he added.

Regarding the delay in undertaking the demolition of the old facilities - which were closed in May 2021 after detecting detachment in a stand - the representative of Marbella F. C. detailed that "to reach the point where we are today from the signing of the concession, some mandatory and significant administrative steps had to be taken, which obviously take time."

"What has never been lacking is determination to go in one direction and to arrive as soon as possible," he emphasized, insisting that "timing does not always depend on the will, but it is necessary to take the correct steps in the right way and we have placed ourselves in the hands of the City Council."

Granero highlighted "the years of constant effort" to develop the project since 2018, emphasizing that the new stadium will be a "home" for the sports club and "a benchmark in modernity that can be used daily by everyone."

As detailed, the foundation's priorities are to "accelerate the processes" and "football," so that "as soon as possible a Marbella F.C. match can be played," he referred to regarding the inauguration of the future facility.

Synergy between Tourism and Sport

Meanwhile, the mayor has praised that the project will be a "reality" after the signing of the concession and "will combine the interest of the Marbella F. C. Foundation, the sports, the fans, and the future of the city for the coming years."

The mayor recalled that the project will have "an investment of 114 million as an initial invoice," emphasizing that it will be "an economic and social engine for Marbella," as well as being "a job creator, an attraction for investment, and revitalizing the area." Muñoz also stressed "the importance of the synergy between tourism and sport," noting that the project will turn the city into "a top-level sports hub."

"Today we build the Marbella of the 21st century, modern, ambitious, and sustainable, with works that will take a significant step in the excellence of our city," the mayor emphasized. At the same time, she noted that the goals are "to bring all elite teams, organize prestigious events, and continue projecting the image of excellence."

Muñoz highlighted that the demolition works of the old facilities will be approved through a "responsible declaration," assuring that the foundation will present "in the coming days" the project to demolish the old stadium.

"The commitment is that it can be as soon as possible," the mayor reiterated, pointing out that "if everything is really in order, this summer the machines have to be working here," once the concession has been signed.

Sports, Commercial, and Hotel Facilities

The project includes the construction of a new football stadium with a capacity for 10,000 spectators on the municipal plot of 45,000 square meters where the old Antonio Lorenzo Cuevas stands, and which will be demolished after signing the concession.

It also includes the construction of a hotel with 84 rooms or more than a thousand underground parking spaces. Its facilities will also include a range of complementary uses, such as hospitality and dining areas, commercial areas, a high-performance wellness center and fitness, as well as spaces for other recreational and leisure activities related to the world of sport.

The initiative will create more than 2,000 jobs, between direct, indirect, and induced, and a contribution to the GDP of between 36 and 50 million euros.