Club Atlético River Plate has announced that the club is formally proceeding with the construction of a new 360° tier and the installation of a full roof over the Mâs Monumental stands. This project will increase the stadium’s capacity to 101,000, making it the second-largest club football stadium in the world.
Over the past year, River Plate has collaborated with Schlaich Bergermann Partner (SBP), the world-leading German engineering firm specialising in stadium roofing. SBP is responsible for iconic projects such as the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Allianz Arena, the Maracanã, and the Santiago Bernabéu. Under their technical guidance, the executive tender documents have been completed—a detailed blueprint addressing every aspect of the project’s feasibility, allowing the club to move forward with the formal bidding process.
Following SBP’s recommendations, River has invited ten leading firms with the specific technical expertise required for this type of structure. The opening of the tender bids is scheduled for February, with the contract expected to be signed within 30 days thereafter. Construction is projected to begin during the first week of April.
Capacity and Member Access
The new design will add approximately 16,000 additional seats in the new tier at no extra cost to members, increasing the total number of free-of-charge seats in the stadium from 24,000 to 40,000. These new seats will not be subject to pre-sales or advance marketing schemes; instead, the goal is to enhance stadium access for members, who will soon find that 40% of the stadium’s seating requires no payment beyond their standard membership fee. Furthermore, 100% of the newly acquired seats will be red and white, forming a 360° flag motif across the current upper stands.
Timeline and Financing
The project is expected to take approximately 36 months, with an estimated cost exceeding $100 million. The exact figure will be determined by the results of the tender process.
The project will be funded via two sources:
- Long-term international credit: Secured at preferential rates, with a repayment schedule funded by the ongoing revenue generated by the Monumental itself.
- Commercial contracts: This includes various assets, most notably the sale of the stadium’s naming rights for the next 10 years.
As with previous works, the club’s operational cash flow will remain unaffected. Regarding home matches, a maximum of three fixtures will be impacted over the three-year duration of the project. A combination of financial tools will ensure that both capital and interest are covered without compromising the football budget.
Community and Governance
The construction will be planned to ensure it does not interfere with the daily life of the Barrio River neighbourhood, prioritising the interests of local residents. River Plate and the Government of the City of Buenos Aires have been working in coordination since December 2023 to ensure a harmonious coexistence between the stadium and its surroundings.
Due to the scale and complexity of the project, the club will hold a joint press conference with SBP to explain the technical details. A separate briefing will detail the financing arrangements. Subsequently, the President will submit the proposal to the club’s governing bodies—the Board of Directors and the Assembly of Representatives—for formal analysis and approval.
River Plate continues its journey of modernisation and historical growth, consolidating Antonio V. Liberti’s dream as the largest and most significant stadium in the Americas and a global benchmark in sporting infrastructure.