Project features up to eight pitches, training facilities and mini stadium. Atletico Madrid Spanish top-flight soccer club Atletico Madrid are pushing forward with plans to build a soccer city next to their Metropolitano Stadium, according to Palco23. The Madrid city council, which is reportedly keen on approving the project, has estimated the club may need to invest up to €59.6 million (US$65.7 million), with work beginning in 2020 and ending in 2024, according to the report. If given the greenlight, the 42,000 square metre development will apparently feature up to eight soccer pitches, a mini stadium, a restaurant and training facilities similar to those of Atletico’s academies in Alcala de Henares and Alcorcon. Palco23 adds Atletico will be solely responsible for handling the investment, while also having exclusive use of the facilities. The club has already received a financial boost from their stadium naming rights partner Wanda Sports, the sports arm of Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group, which committed €47 million (US$52 million) in March 2018 to help academy projects. In return, it receives naming rights to all those training complexes. The sale of the site for Atletico’s previous home, the Vicente Calderon Stadium, also saw the club raise approximately €182 million (US$200 million). Reportedly, approval for the mini stadium is dependent on it being capable to host second division games or European level youth championships, which requires a minimum capacity of 6,500. Atletico are said to favour the sports city being situated in the southern part of the proposed site, so it is closer to the train station already used by fans to get to the Metropolitano. The construction of the new venue is designed to improve fan experience at the stadium, which is situated on the outskirts of the city, allowing visitors to prolong their stay by going to watch other games on top of the first team. Atletico currently sit top of La Liga after winning their opening three games. They next face Real Sociedad on 14th September
Atletico Madrid is reportedly awaiting final approval for its €59m ($65m) sports centre development, consisting of eight pitches, a mini-stadium, a restaurant and training facilities next to its new Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. The club earned €182m from the sale of its former stadium and has also received funding totalling €47m from Atletico Madrid’s naming rights partner, Wanda Sports. Final approval depends on whether second division and European youth games can be played at the mini stadium, which has to have at least 6,500 seats to qualify. Construction could begin in 2020, with completion in four years.