Málaga City Council has confirmed the construction of a new stadium for Málaga CF in the University area, after ruling out the expansion of La Rosaleda.
Málaga CF will have a new stadium at the University of Málaga, as confirmed by the city council on Monday. The decision ends months of studies evaluating two options: the renovation of La Rosaleda or the construction of a new venue in San Cayetano or on the university campus. Ultimately, the three involved administrations —City Council, Junta de Andalucía, and Provincial Council— have opted for the university location.
The technical study determined that a potential expansion of La Rosaleda would only allow for a maximum capacity of 43,000 spectators, insufficient for the aspirations of the club and the city. The new facility, temporarily named 'Nueva Rosaleda', will have a larger capacity, although the exact figure has not yet been made public. The project is part of Málaga's sports infrastructure modernization plan, which also includes improvements to other facilities.
Málaga CF, which competes in LaLiga EA Sports, has repeatedly expressed the need for a larger and more modern stadium to compete at the top level of Spanish football. The current La Rosaleda stadium, inaugurated in 1941 and renovated several times, has become outdated by current standards. The choice of the University as the venue is based on criteria of accessibility, available space, and potential for urban development.
The City Council has stated that the new stadium will be an economic driver for the area, generating employment during its construction and attracting sports and cultural events. Additionally, it will integrate with the university environment, fostering collaboration between the club and the academic institution. The project will include commercial and leisure areas, as well as improvements in public transport to facilitate access.
The decision has been well received by Málaga fans, who have been demanding a stadium worthy of the club for years. However, it has also sparked debate about the cost of the operation and its environmental impact. The administrations have assured that the project will be sustainable and will undergo the corresponding impact studies.
The estimated timeline for the completion of the works is three years, although a specific start date has not yet been set. Málaga CF will play at La Rosaleda until the new stadium is inaugurated. The entity is already working on defining the project details, which will be publicly presented in the coming weeks.
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