Boca Juniors announces official plan to expand La Bombonera stadium to 80,000 capacity

Boca Juniors officially announced Monday an integral plan to reform and expand La Bombonera stadium, increasing its total capacity to more than 80,000 spectators. The project represents a 40 percent increase from the stadium's current capacity and marks the first major expansion effort in decades, following renovations to the stadium's boxes in 1996.

Club officials confirmed the expansion plan through an official presentation, detailing the fundamental bases of a multi-stage project that has already begun preliminary work. The club indicated that Juan Román Riquelme, the club's president, is expected to present the project publicly in the near term.

According to the plans, four main sectors of the stadium will undergo essential modifications. One of the primary construction phases will involve demolishing the current boxes and preferred seating areas to construct a new sector with greater spectator capacity, though this work is scheduled for one of the final stages of the project.

A substantial modification will convert the entire upper deck from preferred seating to general admission, significantly increasing capacity in that area. This change represents one of the most substantial structural alterations in the renovation plan.

The project is being carried out in multiple phases. Preliminary work has already begun, including improvements to the stadium's grounds, installation of new lighting fixtures, and renovation of the main entrance. These initial works are considered part of the broader renovation initiative.

The expansion plan addresses a capacity constraint that has persisted for decades. Multiple expansion proposals have been presented over the years, but implementation difficulties prevented their advancement until now. The club has characterized the expansion as both a necessity and an urgent priority.