Wedonay.com Report on Mar 7th, The renovation project of El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona, Spain, is progressing, involving the expansion, reinforcement, and modernization of the existing stadium without interrupting the team's matches. As the home ground of CA Osasuna, the stadium known as the "Red Wall" is undergoing a complex construction process involving new concrete structures, stands, and a roof. Technical architect Iñaki Pérez serves as the project execution lead.
The renovation of El Sadar is not a complete demolition and rebuild but an update of the existing infrastructure. Pérez stated in an interview with the Official Association of Architects of Navarre: "We had to carry out complex engineering work in parallel without halting sporting events." The pandemic further increased construction difficulties, forcing the team to adopt additional safety measures and reorganize workflows. This incremental update places El Sadar in the same discussion as other Spanish stadiums that chose optimization over complete replacement, reflecting an increasingly common trend in sustainable stadium renovations.
One of the most recognizable elements of the renovation is the permeable steel cladding visible at the stadium's corners. This metal skin redefines the relationship between the building and the city. When asked about his favorite corner, Pérez noted: "I would choose the corners and their permeable steel cladding, which can be perceived from both the exterior and the street level." This design not only strengthens Osasuna's visual identity but also presents a more coherent and modern image of the stadium within Pamplona's urban fabric. From the outside, the stadium now appears as a more compact and recognizable volume, embodying the design philosophy of the renovation.
With a career that includes several iconic projects in Navarre, Pérez acknowledges that the El Sadar renovation marks a turning point. "It's one of the best feelings in my professional career," he said, not only due to its technical complexity but also because of the emotional connection of working on the stadium of the team he supports and on a landmark project for his city. The renovation confirms a clear trend in Spanish stadium architecture: updating and reinforcing existing infrastructure rather than complete replacement. Facing a model based on iconic mega-projects, the Pamplona stadium proves that excellence can also be found in technical precision, structural coordination, and respect for local identity.
The renovation of El Sadar has not only modernized the stadium for CA Osasuna but also positioned it as one of the successful cases of Spanish football stadium transformations. It combines structure, design, and urban identity in an intervention that seems simple on paper but is extremely complex in execution. This project, alongside other major stadium updates in Spain, is driving the country's transformation in sports architecture.
