Malaga City Council Faces delay in New Stadium Plan Amid Contract Appeal
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A recent administrative appeal has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the Malaga City Council’s aspiring plan to commission a study for a new football stadium, perhaps delaying the process. The appeal, filed against the bidding documents for the technical assistance contract, surfaced just days before the deadline for companies to submit thier proposals, according to sources familiar with the matter. The appellant’s identity remains undisclosed, but officials confirm the challenge is an administrative – not judicial – one, meaning it will be resolved by an internal court within the City Council. While the appeal is expected to be rejected, it introduces a potential setback to the project, which aims to deliver a modern stadium befitting the city’s stature following its unsuccessful bid to host the 2030 World Cup.
The City Council activated the bidding process on October 31st, allocating a budget of €207,410 for a 17-week study to analyze the viability of five potential locations for the “Nueva Rosaleda.” As a senior official stated,the primary objective of the contract is “to prepare a multi-criteria analysis that allows identifying the most recommended location for a new first-class football stadium in the city of Malaga,” complete with a detailed roadmap outlining timelines,procedures,and costs.
Five Locations Under Consideration
The study will evaluate a range of options, including expanding and renovating the existing La rosaleda stadium – the original plan for the 2030 World Cup bid – and constructing a new stadium from the ground up. Four specific locations are currently being considered:
- A plot within the expansion of the Teatinos campus, bordered by Louis Pasteur Boulevard, Francisco Trujillo Villanueva Avenue, Las Cañas Creek, and Navarro Ledesma Avenue.
- Land in San Cayetano, north of Puerto de la Torre, as outlined in the General Urban Planning Plan (PGOU).
- Plots in the Lagar de oliveros sector, a future residential area west of Puerto de la Torre currently under development.
- the site of the manzana Verde residential project, located on land currently occupied by the Malagueña Transport Company and Operational Services.
The funding for this crucial study comes from a surplus generated from the agreement between the Malaga City Council,the Provincial Council,and the Junta de Andalucía,originally intended for the Rosaleda’s expansion for the World Cup bid. To date, 18 related works – including 14 reports and analyses – have been completed at a cost of €464,379.31, leaving a remaining balance of €240,620.69.
UEFA Standards and Investment Analysis
The analysis will adhere to a minimum of UEFA Level 4 standards, requiring a stadium capacity between 45,000 and 55,000 spectators. Moreover, the contracted firm will be tasked with identifying “the most optimized investment possible,” considering both initial costs and potential returns. The city Council has also indicated that the selected company is welcome to propose alternative locations beyond the initial five.
The study is divided into two phases. The first, spanning seven weeks, will focus on data collection and individual assessments of each location. The second phase, lasting ten weeks, will involve a “multi-criteria analysis” to determine the optimal site. According to City Council details, the initial two weeks of the second phase will be dedicated to narrowing down the options to at least three locations, including the current site of La Rosaleda.These locations will then be evaluated based on urban planning, design, physical and sustainability factors, urban mobility, social impact, economic viability, and potential return on investment.
“The second phase provides for carrying out a multi-criteria analysis to propose the best location, on an objective basis, for the construction of the stadium,” a City Council representative explained. The final deliverable will be a detailed report outlining the optimal location and a comprehensive construction roadmap.
The future of Malaga’s new stadium remains uncertain as the City Council navigates this administrative challenge, but the commitment to delivering a world-class sporting venue remains firm.
