Murcia venue rejig plans with eye on FIFA show

Article posted by Coliseum, May 12^th, 2023

Image: Estadio Nueva Condomina, Fran García, CC BY-SA 2.0

Murcia’s (City in Spain) candidacy as a 2030 World Cup Host City holds bright chance provided Spain lands the biggest soccer show on earth as part of the Iberian candidacy – the Spain-Portugal-Ukraine-Morocco 2030 FIFA World Cup™ bid, also known as the Iberian Bid, is a joint intended bid by Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, and Morocco to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup™.

‘LA VERDAD’ stated that a meeting of the 2030 World Cup Commission was held at the Football Federation of the Region of Murcia (FFRM) headquarters in Murcia attended by the representatives of FFRM itself, the Murcia City Council, the General Directorate of Sports, the Spanish football club Real Murcia, the 3,000-capacity Pinatar Arena (sports complex in Spain), and the La Manga Club (an exclusive tourist, sports and leisure resort in Murcia), in which the City Council presented the preliminary project for the remodeling and expansion of the Enrique Roca stadium, which would reach 45,000 seats if it is chosen by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) as one of the host venues for the soccer showpiece.

The 2030 FIFA World Cup™ will be the 24^th FIFA World Cup, a quadrennial international football tournament contested by the men’s national teams of the member-associations of FIFA. The event will mark the centenary of the first World Cup.

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Murcia (Spain)-based the Football Federation of the Region of Murcia is a regional association under the control of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, which organizes official competitions within the Murcia region of Spain, including football, futsal and beach soccer.

Real Murcia Club de Fútbol, S.A.D., commonly known as Real Murcia, is a Spanish football club based in Murcia, in the Región de Murcia. Founded in 1919, it currently plays in Primera División RFEF – Group 2, playing home matches at the Estadio Nueva Condomina, which holds 31,179 spectators.

The 31,179-capacity Estadio Nueva Condomina, currently known as Estadio Enrique Roca de Murcia for sponsorship reasons, is a multiuse stadium in Murcia, Spain. Completed in 2006, it is used mostly for football matches and hosts the homes matches of Real Murcia.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is the governing body of football in Spain. It is based in La Ciudad del Fútbol of Las Rozas, a municipality near Madrid. It was founded on September 29^th, 1913.

‘LA VERDAD’ further stated that a study was carried out on whether the above venue is in a position to host the soccer spectacle following a visit by a RFEF delegation on April 12^th. The RFEF is “pretty impressed” with the venue works. However, the venue would have to undergo redecoration if it is to hold the FIFA show.

The revamp work would be divided into three phases:

The Estadio Enrique Roca de Murcia would be expanded to add 14,000 seats to reach a capacity of 45,000;
The capacity expansion would be reached by adding a third upper ring that would be made up of 12 more rows up; and
For now, there will be no expansion work towards the pitch.

Apart from the expansion work, the stadium would be totally remodeled with 6,000 parking slots to be added near the shopping centers. Fifteen thousand (15,000) square meters of tents will be set up to accommodate circa 6,000 guests.

LED lighting would replace the present lighting system in place in the stadium to achieve 2,000 lux. Photovoltaic panels would also be installed on the roof keeping the sustainability factor in mind and to guarantee 65 percent renewable energy. An annex building would come up consisting of three floors and a total of 15,525 square meters that would be connected to the playing ground.

Put in Pedro García Rex, Councilor for Sports, Murcia City Council, “The preliminary work carried out in the facility makes it a fit case for holding the FIFA extravaganza. Real Murcia would also go on to benefit and once the stadium gets renovated as a multiuse facility it would be a destination unto itself which would be active 365 days in a year.”

Added Fran Sánchez, General Director of Sports, “The redecoration work price tag will come to 70 million euros. Whatever are the expenses, if Spain lands the FIFA showpiece as part of the Iberian candidacy and the above venue gets to host some of the fixtures it will be a matter of great pride for all of us.”

Remarked José Antonio Serrano Martínez, Mayor of Murcia, “The stadium should be remodeled irrespective of Spain getting to host the FIFA event or not. It will help in boosting tourism which, in turn, will help generate revenue.”

In September 2024, FIFA will announce the host nation/nations who will host the 2030 World Cup.

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