Gran Canaria raises stadium bet after tender failure
Gran Canaria has relaunched the Estadio Gran Canaria redevelopment with a €234.8m budget after its first tender attracted no bids, increasing public and club funding to protect the venue’s 2030 FIFA World Cup plans.
The Gran Canaria Island Council has launched a second tender for the redevelopment of Estadio Gran Canaria, raising the maximum construction budget by €60m to €234.8m after the original procurement process failed to attract a single bid.The revised tender retains a 36-month construction programme and is intended to keep the Las Palmas venue on schedule to host matches at the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Bids are due by September 11.Gran Canaria sports minister Aridany Romero said: “La Nube will be an architectural icon capable of transforming the urban space and forming the backbone of a large sports, cultural, and leisure area.“Its design incorporates uses that will generate economic activity, promote job creation, and strengthen the national and international profile of Gran Canaria and its capital, consolidating the stadium as an engine of development for the island.”The first tender, valued at €174.71m, opened in June and closed on July 7 without attracting construction companies. The revised budget reflects higher costs for construction materials and specialised labour.Funding will be divided between the island authorities, regional and city governments and UD Las Palmas. The Cabildo de Gran Canaria will provide €134m, with €25m from the Canary Islands government and €15m from Las Palmas city council.UD Las Palmas, who play their home matches at the stadium, will contribute €60m towards the project.A major element of the cost increase relates to the planned roof. Its estimated cost has risen from €60.5m under the initial tender to more than €93m in the revised procurement.The redevelopment, known as La Nube, was designed by L35 Arquitectos with Estudio 0710 and will transform the currently open stadium into a fully covered venue.Capacity is set to increase from 32,418 to 44,022, while the north and south stands will be moved closer to the pitch. Interior areas, entrances and the surrounding public realm will also be upgraded.Construction is expected to run between 2027 and 2029, leaving the island authorities with limited contingency before the 2030 tournament.The redevelopment forms part of a wider strategy to turn the stadium into a year-round sports, cultural and leisure asset capable of generating economic activity beyond football.The new bidding deadline of September 11 will provide the first indication of whether the higher budget and revised commercial terms are sufficient to bring contractors back into the process.