Stadio Aureà
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| Address | Aviènd d'Ercole 1 Teràçio TE0454  Montecara |
|---|---|
| Public transit | VM |
| Parking | 150 underground, VIP only |
| Owner | State of Montecara |
| Operator | Xógi Naxonàli s.a.i. |
| Capacity | 33,205 |
| Record attendance | 35,703 7 May 1994 The Easy Riders concert |
| Field size | 105 × 68 m |
| Surface | Hybrid grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1939 |
| Renovated | 2012 |
| Rebuilt | 1989 |
| Tenants | |
| Montecara national football team SB Montecara | |
Stadio Aureà, known for branding purposes as Aeracara Stadio Aureà, is the national stadium of Montecara. It is home to professional football team SB Montecara and the Montecaran men's and women's national football teams. In addition to its football field, the stadium includes facilities for track and field competitions. The stadium is also used as a venue for concerts and other live events.
The current structure dates from 1989, when the original stadium from 1939 was rebuilt. A renovation undertaken in 2012 modernized the stadium, particularly the media and communications facilities.
History
Original structure
The original stadium structure was completed in 1939. It was indended to replace an earlier sports venue, the Cànpo Marçiàl, which was a converted amphitheater that could only accommodate a few hundred seated spectators. SB Montecara had been making plans for a new stadium since before independence and persuaded the new government to invest in a public, national arena that could also be home to the Montecara national football team.
The site chosen was on gravelly landfill along the southern coast, with a view of the Solarian Sea. The stadium had a simple design consisting of tiered seating along one side of the field and a sunshade over the center section. To give the stadium the flexibility to host other sports, the design included a permenant track and places for field events. There were few amenities: no lighting system, no permanent places for vendors, and very limited facilities for radio and television reporters. Even basics like office space were absent in the original structure, as the new state was low on cash and had to focus simply on providing the maximum seating area for minimal cost.
On the other hand, many Montecarans enjoyed the stadium's openness and accessibility. It was easy to stand and watch games for free along the outside wall, and the crowds that gathered there often took on a festive mood, with food and drink vendors and even musicians adding to the atmosphere.
1989 rebuild
By the 1980s it was abundantly clear that the stadium was inadequate by modern standards. After considering several options, including razing the site and building a new stadium elsewhere, the state decided to totally rebuild the stadium while incorporating as much of the historic structure as possible. The original stone tiered seating structure was preserved, but nearly everything else about the stadium was new. Builders added modern stadium amenities which had been absent before like training and administrative facilities, modern dressing rooms, a team store, underground parking, concession stands, private boxes, press facilities, and better floodlighting. The playing surface was regraded and reseeded to improve drainage and eliminate bare spots. A new roof covered all seating areas, and the street-facing exterior was rebuilt to include ground-floor retail on all sides.
2012 renovation
An extensive renovation undertaken in 2012 improved the press facilities, wired and wireless communications infrastructure, elevators and escalators, and electronic ticketing and turnstile system, and included a general update of interior design elements. The grass field was replaced with a hybrid surface reinforced with synthetic fibers.
Architecture and design
Stands
- Original stand
- New stands (inc. arches)
- Supporters v. visitors seating
Field
- Hybrid grass
Arena
- Boxes
- Training and medical facilities
- Office space
- Press facilities
- Vending/concessions
Amenities
- Underground parking
- Helipad
Football
Opening match
Other notable matches
Other sports
The stadium includes a running track built to Invictus Games specifications, as well as facilities for other track and field events like the high jump, long jump, and throwing events including the javelin, shot put, discus, and hammer.
Concerts
The stadium has hosted dozens of musical performances beginning with The Easy Riders in 1968. Some of the most notable include:
- The Easy Riders, 1968, 1994
- Jupiter Starling, 1987
- Regent Sound, 1993
- Brünette, 1979, 2008
- Souzo Riot, 1991
- Sanctuary, 1997
- The Morning Sun Club, 2011
- Mardy Bums, 2021
- Emme ZMX, 2018
- Violaine Rousseau, 2022
Access
Public transit is provided by VM.