Lecce have announced that €36m have been approved to revamp the Stadio Via del Mare, ensuring all the seating in the arena will be covered.
The funds have come from a decree signed to host the Giochi del Mediterraneo tournament in nearby Taranto in 2026, with some events held in Lecce.
Of the total €275m set aside for the games, that means €36m have been allocated to the restructuring work of the Stadio Via del Mare.
This will involve a complete restyling of the structure, with all seats covered by a roof.
Lecce proud of stadium revamp
“I knew from the start that the games could represent an opportunity for the profound modernisation of the Via del Mare, all the way to the dream of full coverage for our seating, which will make it more modern, functional, welcoming and usable for our fans,” said Lecce President Saverio Sticchi Damiani.
This process could also put the arena in the running to be one of the host cities when Italy and Turkey share the EURO 2032 tournament.
The Stadio Via del Mare was inaugurated in 1966 and already underwent restructuring work in 1985 and 2019.
That latest expansion worth €4m took the maximum capacity of the venue to 31,461 spectators and amongst other things improved the lighting rigs, disabled access and toilets.
🏟️ È Realtà! 𝟯𝟲 𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙞 𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙡 𝙑𝙞𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙡 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙚, 𝙨𝙞 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙖̀ 𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖 𝙩𝙤𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙚. https://t.co/83PPZcSDND pic.twitter.com/JvIkaJ7O45
— U.S. Lecce (@OfficialUSLecce) August 8, 2024
Hope the will take away the running tracks too.
William I doubt they will get rid of the running track if the funds have been allocated for the Giochi del Mediterraneo tournament purposes