El Sardinero Stadium Renovation Redefines the Urban Landscape in Santander

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Home » News » El Sardinero Stadium Renovation Redefines the Urban Landscape in Santander

The renovation of El Sardinero Stadium aims to transform the stadium and its urban surroundings into an integrated architectural element that connects the city with the sea and the mountains, while creating an open environment that encourages social and cultural interaction within the urban fabric.

A sunny day at the renovated El Sardinero Stadium, where kids play soccer on the grass in front of the modern glass-and-green building, while people stroll along the wide steps and walkways around it.
The newly reimagined El Sardinero Stadium isn’t just a sports venue anymore it’s the city’s new living room. Kids kick balls on the lawn, families wander through open green spaces and wide terraces, and everything feels seamlessly woven into Santander’s urban rhythm and natural beauty.

Stadium Design and Open Spaces

The design focuses on creating open public spaces around the stadium, including a main urban square covering over 26,000 m², intended to enhance connectivity between the city and its natural surroundings. The stadium is designed to be part of a green corridor linking the Picos de Europa mountains with the Cantabrian Sea through Las Llamas Park, making the site seamlessly integrated with both the city and the natural environment.

A dramatic night view of the renovated El Sardinero Stadium glowing in green, with matching fireworks lighting up the sky. A fan stands on a paved path, gazing at the iconic structure framed by trees and grass.
An electric night at the new El Sardinero green lights bathe the sleek facade, fireworks explode overhead, and a lone fan stands in awe. This isn’t just a stadium anymore; it’s Santander’s new landmark, where the energy of the game lives on long after the final whistle.

Expansion and Interior Development

The renovation increases the stadium’s capacity to 27,000 spectators. The designers reorganize the stands to provide clear sightlines and comfortable seating. They incorporate multi functional facilities, including event spaces, a museum reflecting the city’s sports history, administrative offices, and hospitality areas. The design maintains fluid circulation and allows flexible use of interior spaces.

A man and a child stand on the grass, gazing at the modern El Sardinero Stadium with its green roof and glass facade, as players warm up on the pitch under a cloudy sky.
From behind, a father and son watch the new El Sardinero not just as fans, but as dreamers. The stadium isn’t just steel and glass; it’s where memories are made, futures imagined, and generations connect. Sometimes, the most beautiful moments happen before the game even starts.

Sustainability and Urban Integration

The design emphasizes sustainability and energy efficiency, with architectural solutions that strengthen the connection between the building and its surroundings. The design makes the facades, pathways, and circulation areas open and adaptable, allowing natural light and airflow, which integrates the stadium into the city’s urban and natural landscape beyond its role as a sports venue.

Inside the renovated El Sardinero Stadium — fans sit in green seats under a massive green roof, with the club’s logo projected overhead. The pitch is alive with players and a sea of supporters under bright daylight.
This is where the air turns to chants, and every green seat becomes home. Under this soaring canopy, generations meet old timers and kids alike all united by the roar of the game. It’s not just a stadium; it’s the soul of Real Racing Club, where legends are born week after week.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight


The El Sardinero Stadium renovation presents an architectural approach that integrates the building with its urban and natural surroundings. The images show modern material expression and wide openings that allow natural light and airflow. Open spaces connect the stadium to the city, mountains, and sea. While the design promotes openness and contextual integration, the spatial sequence within the stadium remains underdefined. Visitor circulation could be clarified further. Additional consideration could enhance interaction between multi-functional facilities and surrounding public areas. Nevertheless, the focus on sustainability and urban integration provides long-term value and positions the project as a redefinition of building to city relationships.

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