‘World-class’ stadium planned in Merida by 2023

A full-size sports stadium, embellished with a Mayan motif, is set to be built in Merida serving both the local baseball and soccer team. Photo: Courtesy.

A New York-based real estate firm will build a sports and concert stadium in Merida worth “billions of dollars.”

Public authorities and company representatives presented the yet-unnamed stadium Wednesday during a webinar.

According to state officials, the firm will build a “world-class” stadium for both the Venados for soccer and the Leones for baseball with technology “never used in Mexico before.”

While investment amounts, construction details and location were not specified, the representatives said the stadium could host up to 23,000 spectators for baseball matches, 27,000 for soccer matches, and 32,000 for concerts.

“When it begins to operate, it will generate 2,000 permanent jobs, due to the characteristics of the stadium,” said Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal.

It will be privately financed and is set to open by 2023.

The design was commissioned to London-based Populus, but other firms such as Three, Moyeda, PMP Consultores, the University of Michigan and “dozens of experts from various countries … supported by local talent based in Merida,” have also taken part in the project, said José Antonio Téllez, operative director at Juego de Pelota, the New York real estate firm. Populous also remodeled Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the New England Patriots stadium.

The circular facade is a mix of the avant-garde with pre-Hispanic details inspired by the ring of the Mayan ball court. On the sides, native glyphs will be covered by transparent solar cells in allusion to Merida as the “White City.”

A hotel, shops, restaurants and offices will also be built on the complex.

There was no word on what becomes of Parque Kukulcan, home to the Leones, which was built in 1982 and holds 14,917 spectators. The Venados currently play in the Estadio Carlos Iturralde, a multi-use stadium built in 1986 and holds 15,087 people.

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