Former Champions League winners announce first ever renovation of 50,033-seater stadium as roof is completely replaced
Other upgrades are being made in preparation for a major sporting event
Port to call Former Champions League winners announce first ever renovation of 50,033-seater stadium as roof is completely replaced
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
EUROPEAN giants Porto have announced plans for changes to their iconic Estádio do Dragão.
The stadium first opened in 2003 at a cost of £107million (€125m) and remains an architectural landmark among global sports venues.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Porto have announced they will be undertaking major stadium works on the Estádio do Dragão
Credit: Reuters
2
A whole new roof is included in the plans
Credit: Getty
However, Porto have announced that for the first time ever the stadium will be having some major TLC.
A club statement explained the stadium infrastructure had suffered from natural wear and tear, while the advancement of technology in the 22 years since its opening also played a part in the decision.
The main areas of improvement would focus on the infrastructure, technology and services of the venue.
It said: "One of the most beautiful stadiums in the world of football must have spaces and equipment at the level required, the blue and white members and fans will be able to enjoy more and better experiences from next season.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
GROUND TO A HALT Abandoned 34,500-seater stadium tipped to host Euro 2028 games lands £50m
"Following the commercial partnership established with Ithaka - which involves revenue and operating costs associated with ticketing, corporate hospitality, naming rights and other sponsorship contracts associated with the stadium, the Museum, visits and the organisation of non-sporting events, as well as other opportunities for generating revenue, present or future, related to Dragão - FC Porto has defined three axes of intervention: infrastructure, technology and services."
The plan is to carry out the works during pre-season of the 2025/26 and 2026/27 campaigns in order to minimise the impact on the sporting season.
Long term, this update will make the ground ready to host the World Cup when the famous tournament visits Portugal in 2030.
Works have already been ongoing for a few weeks, with club boxes being modernised along with the fan common areas like the toilets and bars.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
Next summer will see the club tackle the creation of new hospitality areas in an effort to "completely transform the hospitality and VIP services" on offer at the 50,033-capacity stadium.
A new central kitchen, autonomous bars, a new lighting system and a complete renovation of the roof are on the agenda for infrastructure works.
Liverpool owners plot takeover of LaLiga club after they part-destroy iconic stadium ahead of stunning rebuild
The coming changes will also see the stadium modernised with all ticketing transactions to be done without having to go to a physical store, while FC Porto will also be launching its own platform alongside this.
All tickets, ranging from season ticket renewals and sales back to the club, will also be able to be carried out digitally.
This will be implemented as early as next month.
Porto are the second most successful club in Portuguese football with 30 league titles, only behind Benfica's tally of 38.
Their last title arrived in 2022, before Gonçalo Ramos inspired Benfica to the 2023 title and Ruben Amorim built his Sporting Lisbon squad into a title-winning force over the last two seasons.
Porto are also two-time Champions of Europe, having won the Champions League in 1987 and 2004 - the latter of which sparked the career of a certain Jose Mourinho into life.
They missed out on Champions League football last season, and only made it to the Europa League league knockout phase as they ended the season without major silverware for the first time since 2021.
However, they did still win the Portuguese Supertaça, or Super Cup, after coming from 3-0 down to beat Sporting Lisbon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
31 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Alessia Russo: I fell into ‘trap' of scrolling social media at last Euros
On Tuesday tennis player Katie Boulter lifted the lid on the level of abuse aimed at some in her sport and revealed she and her family have received death threats. Arsenal forward Russo, who is gearing up for next month's Euros, said she could empathise with Boulter and has learned to avoid the platforms for the benefit of both her mental health and her football. 'I think every player might have a different story about that side of the game, but it's definitely one that can be really damaging,' said Russo. 'I have faced it in the past and I think most players here have. When I was younger I probably got sucked into it more. I read it more than I should have and listened to it more than I should have. The only opinions that matter are my team-mates, my coaches and my family. 'I think you have to remember that they are the people you need to lean on in tough times. As I've got older, I understand more what works for me. In my first Euros I was on social media and I would have a look, have a scroll, and I got caught in a trap sometimes. 'Going into the World Cup, I completely came off everything and I had people to run my Instagram. I just focused on the tournament. It's personal preference and whatever works for the team. Staying away from it and staying focused as a team is what works for me.' Manchester United attacking midfielder Ella Toone added: 'It's individual. Whenever we go to a tournament it's individual. It's what people want to do. 'I know that my decision might be different to someone else's and I have to respect that decision. I do like to scroll on Instagram. But I know other people turn their phones off. 'We have that conversation and all know how each other wants to go through the tournament. We respect each other's decision. If I see something on Instagram I'm not going to tell someone or blurt it out to the team because they don't want to see it. I think it's a personal preference.' The majority of Sarina Wiegman's squad – save three United States-based players due to link up next week – have now assembled ahead of the start of their European title defence, which kicks off with their Zurich opener against France on July 5. Much has changed for best friends Russo and Toone – and women's football – since the Lionesses lifted their first major trophy on home soil in 2022 and reached their first World Cup final the following summer. Energy in every step ⚡#Lionesses | @LucozadeSport — Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 17, 2025 'We understand this is like a new England,' Russo added. 'We have lots of different players with different strengths and it's about bringing all of that together and using each other's strengths. New players are coming in and you have seen the impact they have made straight away in big games. 'I think we have evolved in many different ways, tactically. But in terms of having that energy from young players coming through, it's something that's really exciting.'
South Wales Guardian
43 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Alessia Russo: I fell into ‘trap' of scrolling social media at last Euros
On Tuesday tennis player Katie Boulter lifted the lid on the level of abuse aimed at some in her sport and revealed she and her family have received death threats. Arsenal forward Russo, who is gearing up for next month's Euros, said she could empathise with Boulter and has learned to avoid the platforms for the benefit of both her mental health and her football. 'I think every player might have a different story about that side of the game, but it's definitely one that can be really damaging,' said Russo. 'I have faced it in the past and I think most players here have. When I was younger I probably got sucked into it more. I read it more than I should have and listened to it more than I should have. The only opinions that matter are my team-mates, my coaches and my family. 'I think you have to remember that they are the people you need to lean on in tough times. As I've got older, I understand more what works for me. In my first Euros I was on social media and I would have a look, have a scroll, and I got caught in a trap sometimes. 'Going into the World Cup, I completely came off everything and I had people to run my Instagram. I just focused on the tournament. It's personal preference and whatever works for the team. Staying away from it and staying focused as a team is what works for me.' Manchester United attacking midfielder Ella Toone added: 'It's individual. Whenever we go to a tournament it's individual. It's what people want to do. 'I know that my decision might be different to someone else's and I have to respect that decision. I do like to scroll on Instagram. But I know other people turn their phones off. 'We have that conversation and all know how each other wants to go through the tournament. We respect each other's decision. If I see something on Instagram I'm not going to tell someone or blurt it out to the team because they don't want to see it. I think it's a personal preference.' The majority of Sarina Wiegman's squad – save three United States-based players due to link up next week – have now assembled ahead of the start of their European title defence, which kicks off with their Zurich opener against France on July 5. Much has changed for best friends Russo and Toone – and women's football – since the Lionesses lifted their first major trophy on home soil in 2022 and reached their first World Cup final the following summer. Energy in every step ⚡#Lionesses | @LucozadeSport — Lionesses (@Lionesses) June 17, 2025 'We understand this is like a new England,' Russo added. 'We have lots of different players with different strengths and it's about bringing all of that together and using each other's strengths. New players are coming in and you have seen the impact they have made straight away in big games. 'I think we have evolved in many different ways, tactically. But in terms of having that energy from young players coming through, it's something that's really exciting.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Arsenal in race against time to complete striker transfer in order to prevent title being lost by September
Arsenal also have a shortlist of wingers they want at the club STRIKE IT LUCKY Arsenal in race against time to complete striker transfer in order to prevent title being lost by September SUDDENLY there's a new urgency to Arsenal's long-running manhunt for a centre-forward. Fixture release day has handed Mikel Arteta's eternal bridesmaids trips to Old Trafford and Anfield before the transfer deadline, followed by clashes with Manchester City and Newcastle in September. 6 RB Leipzig are demanding £85m for Benjamin Sesko Credit: Getty 6 Man Utd are rivalling Arsenal for Viktor Gyokeres Credit: Getty 6 Mikel Arteta wants a striker signed in time for pre-season Credit: Getty It means Arsenal need to get hitched with a new striker - and fast. Liverpool, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs have all been busy in the early days of the summer market, yet all has been quiet at Arsenal - runners-up for three seasons in a row. While Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga are expected to arrive at the Emirates soon, Arsenal are in desperate need of a frontman. It's a tale as old as Arteta's five-and-a-half-year reign and the Spaniard has made no secret of his desire to capture an out-and-out goalscorer, after Kai Havertz's injury in January kyboshed his slim hopes of challenging Liverpool for the title last term. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL FIXTURE FURORE Arsenal fans claim Premier League is 'RIGGED' after nightmare fixture list New Emirates sporting director Andrea Berta is prioritising a striker and has several plates spinning - with RB Leipzig hitman Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokores both leading targets. There's a very high chance that Swede Gyokores will play in the Manchester United versus Arsenal fixture on the opening weekend of the season - but for which side? Ruben Amorim hopes his close links with Gyokeres will lure the former Coventry man to Old Trafford - despite the absence of European football for only the second time in 35 years. Meanwhile, Leipzig are playing hardball over a fee for 22-year-old Slovenian forward Sesko - with an eye-watering £85million asking price. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS 6 When fixtures for the new campaign are released, it's always worth pointing out that - yep - every Premier League club will play every other club at home and away. But Arsenal's fixture list is seriously front-loaded. While United may no longer be the United of old, the first Sunday of the season is not an ideal time to visit, with new signings and (perhaps short-lived) optimism in the air. A trip to champions to Liverpool on the weekend before the window shuts on September 1 is formidable. Then comes a September which brings from City and Nottingham Forest, as well as a Champions League opener, before the long haul to St James' Park - where the Gunners were beaten twice last season. Arteta will be dreading the idea of a scramble for a striker on deadline day - and with a winger also wanted, to challenge Gabriel Martinelli - the Gunners boss is keen to get both on board before the pre-season trip to Singapore and Hong Kong in late July. After five seasons without silverware, Arteta's need to hit the ground running is clear, if Arsenal are to clinch a first title in 22 years. Berta is determined not to fall into the trap of singling out one striker, missing out and leaving Arteta to settle for what he has got - namely Havertz, who may well be more effective as a No 10, and Gabriel Jesus, still recovering from an ACL injury. 6 A deal for Alexander Isak will prove difficult Credit: PA 6 Arsenal made a late move for Ollie Watkins in January Credit: PA Gyokores and Sesko are not the only men on Berta's hitlist - although Arteta's ideal signing, Alexander Isak, looks out of reach now that Newcastle are back in the Champions League. And Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins does not represent value for money at around £80m for a man who turns 30 this year. Arsenal are free to spend big, under PSR regulations, this summer. Yet if they land an expensive striker and a winger - with Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, Real Madrid's Rodrygo, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Newcastle's Anthony Gordon all on Arsenal's radar - then sales may be needed. Oleksandr Zinchenko is surplus to requirements, while fellow defenders Jakub Kiwior and Riccardo Calafiori could be off-loaded. Left-back Calafiori - signed only last summer but overtaken by Myles Lewis-Skelly - is wanted by AC Milan but believed to be keen on staying at the Emirates.
