Atanasio Girardot Stadium revamp planned

Image: Club Atlético Nacional on LinkedIn

The Atanasio Girardot Stadium in the Colombian city of Medellín is set for a major redevelopment to raise capacity above 60,000.

Medellín City’s District Administration will invest more than 750 billion pesos ($200 million) in the complete renovation of the Atanasio Girardot Stadium.

The improvements include increasing the stadium’s capacity, a new roof for the entire venue, and the renovation of 40,000 square meters of surrounding public space.

Atanasio Girardot Stadium, commonly referred to as El Atanasio, is a multi-purpose stadium in Medellín, Colombia. Located in the Laureles comuna, the stadium is currently used mostly for football matches by Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín, the most popular clubs in the Antioquia Department. It has a capacity of 45,200.

The modernization project for the Atanasio Girardot Stadium was presented recently by city Mayor Federico Gutiérrez Zuluaga and envisions a comprehensive transformation that will position it as one of the best sports venues in the Americas.

Image: Club Atlético Nacional on LinkedIn

The project will be entirely financed with public funds, reaffirming the Medellín Mayor’s Office’s commitment to sports, quality infrastructure, and the well-being of its citizens. This will be the largest renovation in the history of this venue.

“The stadium the city deserves” is the slogan the mayor used to announce this project, which will involve an investment of over $750 billion pesos. Some $643 billion pesos will be invested in the stadium itself, and the remainder in the sports complex, technology, mobility, and urban development.

The project includes works to increase capacity from 45,200 to 60,000 spectators, a 33% increase. This increase will be achieved with the construction of a third tier of seating.

In addition, a new roof will be installed covering the entire stadium. The current 2,319 square meter roof will be expanded to over 31,000 square meters, protecting the stands from sun and rain.

Image: Club Atlético Nacional on LinkedIn

Inside, the number of restrooms will be increased from 399 to 531, and the access points will be modernized, with the number of turnstiles increasing from 49 to 108.

The project also includes the remodelling of restrooms, commercial spaces, press boxes, locker rooms, and VIP boxes, as well as the addition of universal accessibility features such as ramps and walkways.

Zuluaga said, “This stadium that we will begin to build will be 100% publicly funded; it will remain public and belong to the city.

“I want this to be precisely the commitment to the fans: that we will have a world-class stadium, but the best thing is to have world-class behavior, that we respect each other, that being a fan of one team or another is never a reason to attack each other, that Medellín becomes a global example of peaceful football.”

Image: Club Atlético Nacional on LinkedIn

Those attending the Atanasio Girardot will also be able to enjoy renovated seating, more modern electrical and plumbing systems, an improved pitch, and a new facade of more than 23,000 square meters, which will integrate the stadium with its surroundings.

Similarly, the project includes the renovation of 40,000 square meters of public space in the surrounding area, in order to improve pedestrian mobility, accessibility, and the urban landscape.

The renovated sports complex will meet FIFA international standards, allowing it to host international competitions and major events.

Regarding the timescale for the project, the Mayor explained that the first phase includes a soil study, which will be carried out around the stadium during the remainder of this year, while the necessary permits and feasibility studies are being processed with the planning office, with the aim of starting construction between May and June 2026.

Image: Club Atlético Nacional on LinkedIn

The Inder (Institute of Sports and Recreation) and the Urban Development Company (EDU) will be in charge of the structuring, design, and execution, with completion scheduled for the second half of 2027. This project will generate 430 direct jobs.

Club Atlético Nacional said in a statement, “There is the promise of an expanded capacity to 60,000 spectators and a first-class experience for our fans who deserve to experience the passion of football on a world-class stage.

“But this renovation is much more than infrastructure. It is the physical complement to the culture of soccer in peace and respect that we actively promote with the Mayor’s Office and the city’s supporters.

“We applaud this great step, ready for this new scenario to witness more glories and the consolidation of football as an engine of social union.”

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• Atanasio Girardot Stadium
• Colombian
• Medellín

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