The renovation of the "Nuevo Sardinero" stadium, proposed by IDOM's Sports & Events team, envisions it as Santander's largest public square, spanning over 26,000 m² and expanding its capacity from 22,514 to 27,000 people. The plan proposes integrating new uses and activities such as offices, a Racing Santander museum, and areas for commerce, restaurants, and events.
Highlighting its symbolic value for the city and prioritizing sustainability, energy efficiency, and connection with the urban environment, the new stadium will form part of the green corridor linking the Picos de Europa mountains to the Cantabrian Sea, articulated by Las Llamas Park.
"El Sardinero is located between the Picos de Europa mountains and the Cantabrian Sea. The new stadium will be part of this green corridor connecting the mountains with the city and the sea. It is an open, permeable stadium that will create a legacy for Santander."
César Azcárate, Director of Sports & Events.
"Nuevo Sardinero" by IDOM. Rendering courtesy of IDOM.
Project description by IDOM
Last Tuesday, our Sports & Events team participated in the official presentation of the renovation project for the El Sardinero Sports Fields in Santander. The event, held at the Botín Centre, brought together political and sports authorities, representatives of Real Racing Club, supporters' clubs, media outlets, and members of the IDOM technical team.
The project, which we at IDOM have developed under the name Nuevo Sardinero (New Sardinero), proposes a comprehensive transformation of the stadium and its surrounding urban area. It is an ambitious undertaking that aims to transform El Sardinero into a space open to the city, the sea, and the mountains, with a clear focus on social, cultural, and economic revitalization.
Among the project's key features are:
• The creation of Santander's largest public square, covering more than 26,000 m².
• The expansion of the stadium's capacity to 27,000 spectators (currently 22,514). • The addition of new multifunctional spaces: club offices, the Racing museum, commercial areas, restaurants, and areas for events and conferences.
• The integration of the stadium into the green corridor connecting the Picos de Europa mountains with the Cantabrian Sea, articulated by Las Llamas Park.
• A design that prioritizes sustainability, energy efficiency, and connection with the urban environment.
Our colleague César Azcárate, Director of Sports & Events, presented the architectural details of the project, highlighting its symbolic and strategic value for the city: “El Sardinero is located between the Picos de Europa mountains and the Cantabrian Sea. The new stadium will form part of this green corridor that connects the mountains with the city and the sea. It is an open, permeable stadium that will create a legacy for Santander.”
The project is part of a public-private partnership model proposed by the Club, with the aim of ensuring that it does not entail any costs for the public administration. This vision was shared by Manolo Higuera, president of Racing, and Sebastián Ceria, president of the Real Racing Club Foundation, who emphasized the club's role as an engine of rootedness, identity and urban development.
