Populous has been chosen as the lead designer for a major new 40,000 capacity stadium on the University of Guadalajara campus in Zapopan, Mexico.
Located within the wider Ciudad UdeG development, the new soccer stadium will be home to football clubs Atlas FC and Leones Negros, as well as a gathering place for the wider Guadalajara community.
Populous said that targeted to open in 2030, the stadium design prioritizes an intimate fan experience to create a closer connection between fans and the game.
Partho Dutta, Senior Principal, Populous said, “We are proud to partner with Grupo Prodi in creating a new home for Atlas FC and Leones Negros — two distinct identities united within one vibrant district.
“Our vision is a stadium that brings fans closer to the game and extends the university experience into an active, 365-day destination for the entire community.”
The stadium will anchor a broader vision for Ciudad UdeG, bringing together sport, culture and public spaces in a destination designed to serve the community beyond match day.
Some of the proposed features of the new venue include:
- Approximately 40,000 seats for football.
- 56 corporate hospitality boxes.
- 16 premium boxes.
- More than 3,600 premium, preferred and hospitality seats.
- Less than nine metres between the pitch and the first row of seating.
- A flexible configuration for football, concerts and other events.
- A dynamic façade incorporating lighting and screens.
José Miguel Bejos, president of developer Grupo PRODI, said, “We’ll be partners of the Universidad de Guadalajara in a project, thinking about positively transforming its surroundings and creating value for the community over the next decades.”
Beyond the stadium, the design extends into a broader vision for Ciudad UdeG as a destination for sport, culture and community.
More than 61,000 square meters of tree-covered public space are planned across the development, including Plaza Sur, a community park with courts, playgrounds and open areas for everyday use.
The stadium and surrounding district are expected to host more than 200 events each year, extending activity beyond match days through concerts, performances and other sporting and cultural events.
The development will also include an adjacent venue for smaller events and spaces for shops, restaurants, team stores and a Football Museum.
The stadium will give Atlas FC, which plays in Mexico’s top tier Liga MX, and Leones Negros from the second tier Liga de Expansión MX, a new shared home. Both clubs currently play at the Estadio Jalisco.
The new development does not necessarily mean Estadio Jalisco will close. Leones Negros have indicated that the historic venue will continue operating, with further investment in its facilities.
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