Getafe race to make Coliseum ready for Europe

Getafe are pushing ahead with the redevelopment of the Coliseum as the club attempt to stage their UEFA Conference League play-off at home despite substantial construction work continuing around the stadium.The first leg of the play-off will be held on August 20 against either Partizan Belgrade or Tobol, with the return fixture scheduled for August 27, giving Getafe little margin to complete the areas required for UEFA approval.The club had considered moving European fixtures to Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano and had an agreement available, but changed course after qualifying for the Conference League and decided to prioritise keeping the tie in Getafe.That decision forced a change to the construction programme, with the planned demolition of the main Tribuna stand delayed while work has been concentrated on completing the upper South End and East Stand sections.The wider redevelopment began in June 2025 and is scheduled to finish by the end of 2027, with the project increasing capacity from about 16,500 to 18,500 and creating a continuous enclosed bowl with roofing across all seating areas.The new Coliseum is also intended to improve the club’s commercial position through upgraded hospitality, better supporter facilities and greater year-round use, while removing the existing floodlight masts and introducing a new external façade.Several sections will remain unavailable during the early part of the season, including the upper North Stand, while the Tribuna is expected to be out of use for much of 2026-27 once its redevelopment begins.Getafe have therefore had to relocate internal operations including media, hospitality and dressing-room functions while maintaining sufficient capacity to meet domestic and UEFA requirements.European qualification has added urgency to a project originally structured around phased construction without forcing the first team away from the Coliseum, with the club seeking to avoid losing matchday revenue and home advantage.The August 20 fixture will provide the first major test of that strategy, with successful UEFA approval allowing Getafe to combine their return to European competition with one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the club’s history.