In an unprecedented move for South American football, River Plate presented a video on its social networks that reveals, through an animated render, how the transformation of the Monumental stadium will progress.The images show the construction process to add a fifth tray, supported by external columns, and the total roofing of the stands, which will increase the capacity of the venue to 101,000 spectators, becoming one of the most impressive stages on the planet.
The message that accompanies the video summarizes the magnitude of the work: “From 4 to 5 trays. From 85,018 to 101,000 riverplatenses. This is how the MâsMonumental is transformed.”
The video released by the Millionaire anticipates an architectural transformation that aims to position the Monumental among the largest and most modern stadiums in the world.As described by the club, the animation allows you to observe the work step by step: from the installation of the external columns on the perimeter of the stadium, which will be the base of the new 360° tray, to the assembly of the roof that will cover the entire stands.The upper structure will be made up of red and white seats that will form a giant flag, while the new roof will not cover the grass to preserve the quality of the playing field.
The club explained in its official statement that the work will begin in April 2026 and will require at least 36 months of work, with an estimated investment of more than $100 million.The financing will come from an international credit and the sale of naming rights for ten years.
Stefano Di Carlo, president of River Plate, defined the initiative as “a historic day” for the institution.The leader remarked: “They are the ones who support River at all times and who allow River to be proud to say, as a non-profit civil association, that it can undertake a work of this magnitude, fundamentally sustained, as it has always been, with the efforts of its partners.”The club emphasized that the 16,000 new seats will be allocated exclusively to members, increasing the assigned seats to 40,000 at no extra cost for subscribers.
It is worth noting that the expansion will be carried out using a system of columns independent of the existing structural ring, which will allow the fifth tray to be built without interfering with daily sports activity.According to the official statement, the process foresees that only three home games will be affected during the three years of work.The design and technical supervision of the project are in charge of the German firm Schlaich Bergermann Partner (SBP), responsible for stadiums such as the Allianz Arena, the Santiago Bernabéu and the Maracaná.
The modernization of the Monumental represents a continuity of the process begun in 2020, when the playing field was completely renovated and the lower lower tribune was created.The new stage seeks to position the stadium above historic venues both in capacity and infrastructure.The club anticipated that the expansion will improve the spectator experience thanks to the total coverage of the stands, better acoustics and the possibility of holding mass shows more easily, given that the lighting and sound systems can be installed directly on the roof.
The project contemplates that the grass remains uncovered, since sunlight is essential for the optimal maintenance of the playing field.”There is no way to replace the UV rays that the field needs to be well. Afterwards, the grass is burned, all yellow,” club sources explained to Infobae.The club also stressed that the work will facilitate the maintenance of stands and reduce costs derived from exposure to the elements, extending the useful life of pipes, seats and paint.
According to the schedule presented by River Plate, the formal tender for the project will be held in February, with the participation of ten national and international companies.The club plans to hold technical press conferences with SBP to explain construction and financial details, and submit the plan for approval by the Board of Directors and the Assembly of Member Representatives.
According to the club’s statement, the new tray and roof will transform the Monumental into the second largest stadium in the world for a football club, surpassed only by the Camp Nou in Barcelona.
