ITALIAN Serie B side Palermo have unveiled their plans for a stunning stadium redevelopment.
The outfit – who are a part of the City football group, who also run Manchester City – are looking to bring a new look to their Renzo Barbera Stadium.
The 36,000-seater was originally inaugurated in 1932 as a new home for the team after their promotion to the top flight.
It was last modernised in 1990, in preparation for the stadium’s inclusion as a host venue for that year’s World Cup in Italy.
It hosted Group F games featuring the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland and Egypt.
And now it seems the team are reaching for the same playbook, as they prepare to put themselves in contention to host fixtures at Italy‘s 2032 Euros tournament.
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The project is being spearheaded by stadium design giants Populous, who previously worked on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Etihad, among other stadium projects across the world.
They also outlined a list of five ‘principles’ that are core to the development’s aim.
Among them is integrating the ground with its wider community, producing social spaces around the venue for people outside of the match-going experience.
Fan experience was another tenet, with stands set to be moved closer to the pitch, and new hospitality areas being introduced to improve the matchday experience.
In order to respect the venue’s and local area’s history, the project will keep in mind its surrounding environment, and provide panoramic views of several local landmarks.
Among the most important points will be bringing the region not just a football ground for Palermo, but an attractive venue for a range of events, including Euro 2032.
The club’s announcement read: “The new Barbera will be a multifunctional hub, an infrastructure capable of hosting top-level football, starting with Euro 2032, UEFA competitions, international matches, major concerts, cultural events, and large-scale shows.
“It will not only be a modern home for Palermo FC, but also a platform capable of attracting national and international events, generating positive benefits for the city and the surrounding region.”
They will be hoping to avoid the limbo that Serie A side Como find themselves in, as the side risks being unable to play at their home stadium should they qualify for European football due to Uefa regulations.
It will also be an eco-conscious venue, with the project aiming to eventually push towards energy self-sustainability, all located within a bright and walkable environment.
The developments will also include a new administrative hub for the club, complete with offices, a function area and even a museum.
Palermo added: “The Club’s vision is clear: not just a new stadium, but a new place for Palermo. An infrastructure capable of preserving memory, embracing the present, and building the future.
“Palermo is here, thanks also to the concrete support of local and national institutions, each ready to do their part for a project destined to change the city’s future forever.”
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