Napoli owner unveils ambitious 70,000-seat stadium plan to replace Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis has outlined plans for a new 70,000-seat stadium in eastern Naples, potentially replacing the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

The ambitious proposal includes 120 executive boxes, restaurants and an interactive museum, with the club chief targeting a two-year construction period.

Aurelio De Laurentiis makes new Napoli stadium vision clear

De Laurentiis has identified a 38-hectare plot of land in eastern Naples for the proposed stadium, which would represent a significant change from the club’s current home.

Speaking at an award ceremony in Rome on Wednesday (via L'Equipe), the Napoli president said the development would feature 120 boxes, restaurants and an interactive museum where supporters could play virtual football alongside legendary players such as Diego Maradona, Edinson Cavani and Gonzalo Higuain.

He added that he hoped to complete the project within 24 months and would not ask anyone else for funding.

The plans come amid growing debate over the future of the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, which was built in 1959 and has a capacity of 60,000.

The venue, previously known as the San Paolo Stadium, is owned by the city of Naples and rented to Napoli on matchdays. Its athletics track and concrete structure have been criticised, while local authorities would prefer to invest £175m in renovating the existing ground.

De Laurentiis, however, believes demolition should be considered to make way for new housing, arguing that the proposed renovation budget would not deliver a sufficient transformation.

The club owner also revealed plans for a new training centre in Qualiano, north-west of Naples, on a 17.5-hectare site. The facility would include 10 pitches and 7,500 square metres of buildings for the first team and youth sides.

FGG says: Napoli owner wants new stadium not renovation

De Laurentiis has made clear that he wants Napoli to move beyond its current home, with a large-scale stadium development that would combine matchday facilities with hospitality and interactive attractions.

However, the proposal faces a significant difference of opinion with local authorities, who favour renovating the existing ground rather than pursuing a new-build project.

The 38-hectare site and proposed 24-month timeline provide an outline of the club’s ambitions, but the future of the stadium will depend on how those plans progress.

Napoli’s vision now centres on delivering a modern home capable of accommodating 70,000 supporters, while the debate over the Maradona Stadium’s future remains unresolved.