Málaga eyeing Bernabéu engineers for new Rosaleda stadium project
The Málaga CF stadium project takes shape as the city council hires TYPSA and Fenwick Iribarren to determine the best location for a 45,000-55,000 capacity UEFA Level 4 stadium.
Málaga’s dream of a sparkling new football home is gathering pace with some serious heavyweights now on board to help deliver it. The club’s stadium plans are stepping up a gear as they look to bring Premier League-level facilities to Spain’s south coast.
Big names taking charge
The Málaga City Council, through Promálaga, has commissioned a proper technical study to determine the best possible location for building a new football stadium. And they’re not messing about with the talent they’ve brought in.
They’ve hired a joint venture between TYPSA and Fenwick Iribarren Architects for a cool €180,895 (including VAT) to run the rule over potential sites. These aren’t just any old firms either:
- TYPSA: An engineering company with over 50 years’ experience that worked on the Santiago Bernabéu renovation - proper top drawer stuff
- Fenwick Iribarren: Architectural specialists who designed several Qatar 2022 World Cup stadiums
The team is rounded out with legal advisors, urban planning experts, and specialists in managing major sporting venues. Bit of a dream team, if you ask me.
UEFA standard requirements
The brief is crystal clear - Málaga wants a proper stadium that’ll turn heads:
- Must meet UEFA Level 4 standards (the highest classification)
- Capacity between 45,000-55,000 spectators
- Investment must be efficient with medium to long-term economic returns
That’s ambitious for a Segunda División side, but shows they’re planning for the future, not just for their current bread and butter.
Location, location, location
The study will initially focus on five potential locations before narrowing down to at least three finalists. Interestingly, the current Rosaleda site must remain in consideration throughout the process.
The 13-week study will be conducted in two phases:
- Initial data gathering and filtering to identify finalist locations
- Comprehensive comparative analysis considering urban planning, mobility, sustainability, social impact, and economic viability
The final report will include a roadmap with indicative timeframes and costs. However, it’s worth noting that the recommended location won’t be binding - the final decision rests with public administrations.
For Málaga fans, this represents real progress in their stadium ambitions. After years of talk, they’re finally getting the proper professionals in to sort it. Could be a right Bobby Dazzler when it’s done.