River Plate have revealed plans to expand their historic home, Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, into one of the largest football stadiums on the planet.
Already the biggest stadium in South America, the Argentine giants confirmed a major redevelopment project that will lift capacity to over 101,000 spectators, positioning the venue as the second-largest club football stadium in the world once completed.
The plans, announced by club president Stefano Di Carlo, involve adding around 16,000 new seats to the existing 85,018-capacity ground and constructing a state-of-the-art roof structure that will cover the stands.
Work on the expansion is scheduled to start in April 2026 and is expected to take approximately 36 months, in time for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Argentina will co-host.
This will not be the first expansion of the stadium in recent years, with the latest happening in 2023, where the capacity was increased from around 61,000 to its current size.
River Plate’s iconic Estadio Monumental has hosted some of football’s most memorable moments, including the 1978 World Cup final, and serves as the regular home for both the club and the Argentina national team.
Details of Mas Monumental expansion and its impact
Under the outlined plans, the stadium will be transformed with a new 360-degree upper tier and roof, designed in partnership with German engineering firm Schlaich Bergermann Partner (SBP), known for work on major global venues.
This renovation will also improve safety, sightlines and fan comfort throughout the facility.
The cost is expected to be around $100m (£73m), and the funding model for the redevelopment comprises international loans that River Plate expects to repay using increased revenue from matchday income and non-football events such as concerts.
Once complete, the expanded Mas Monumental is set to surpass most of the world’s major club grounds in terms of capacity, trailing only behind Barcelona’s Camp Nou, which is projected to have around 105,000 seats upon completion of its own renovation.
The enhancement also reinforces River Plate’s status as a global powerhouse. In recent seasons, the club has performed excellently in world rankings for average attendance, often exceeding 84,000 spectators per home match.
FGG Says
River Plate’s Monumental expansion is a jaw-dropping statement of intent in the whole football world. Turning one of South America’s most storied stadiums into the second-largest club football ground globally blends tradition with ambition in a way few clubs dare to attempt.
This project is about heritage, pride and the confidence to compete culturally with Europe’s largest venues. If delivered in the way that it is envisaged, the new Monumental could become a beacon of how stadiums can fuel identity and revenue alike.