Spanish football focus on stadium & infrastructure improvements

Despite continued opposition from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Athletic Club, the CVC investment deal with LaLiga is now set to go ahead in Spain. Known as "Boost LaLiga" (LaLiga Impulso), this project will provide clubs with important cash injections, making it possible to undertake significant improvements to stadiums and infrastructure.

Following a meeting of the LaLiga General Assembly on Friday 10 December 2021, the majority vote from 37 of LaLiga's 42 clubs voted in favour of the project, aimed at promoting the global growth of LaLiga and its member clubs. The CVC investment will see LaLiga receive €1,994 billion, with 90% of this total figure destined to go directly to clubs.

At each of the clubs, the investment funds they are to receive is to be committed in specific ways. Primarily, 70% of allocated funds will be linked to new infrastructure and modernisation projects, which provides for spending on stadiums and various other club facilities, including training complexes.

Also within this 70% allocation, clubs can spend funds on international development, brand and product development, communication strategy, plus innovation and technology enhancements. The remaining 30% is then to be divided into two areas, with 15% towards clearing any debts and financial burdens, with the other 15% going towards player signings and contracts.

How the clubs will spend their money

Having ratified this landmark agreement between CVC and LaLiga, the majority of clubs in the top tier have already earmarked how the money will be spent. In a detailed thread published via Twitter, COPE Radio and GOL TV journalist Isaac Fouto highlighted how clubs plan to spend their money.

Atletico Madrid will make further improvements to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, while spending most of the funds on building a new training complex, adjacent to the venue and with green spaces for local residents to enjoy. Cadiz CF will increase capacity at their Nuevo Mirandilla home and install a fully retractable pitch, along with expansions to the club's training complex. Celta Vigo will spend the majority of their money on training complex improvements, while debts will be reduced against their Balaidos Stadium upgrade.

CA Osasuna will add enhanced lighting at the recently refurbished El Sadar venue, while expanding their training complex and providing residence centres for youth players. Elche CF plan to completely remodel the ageing Manuel Martinez Valero Stadium, internally and externally, while investing further in their training facilities. Getafe CF aim to make the outright purchase of their Coliseum Alfonso Perez home, which is currently municipally owned. Granada CF has prioritised further increases to their training complex, along with commercial upgrades at their Nuevo Los Carmenes venue.

Levante UD recently completed a major upgrade at the Ciutat de Valencia Stadium, although further enhancements will come with an entirely new external facade, along with commercial enhancements for use of the venue beyond football. Rayo Vallecano plan improvements to their decrepit Vallecas home, while RCD Espanyol intend to make further infrastructure improvements at the already modern RCDE Stadium, while evaluating proposals to build a completely new training complex.

RCD Mallorca hope to achieve a complete reform of their home stadium, incorporating new stands and seating, video scoreboards and roofing, plus the addition of a museum and commercial facilities. Real Betis aims to complete ongoing works at the Benito Villamarin, which includes roofing over all the stands and a new multipurpose annex along side the venue. Real Sociedad has recently finished modernising the Reale Arena, so their spending will focus on a new mini stadium home for the B team and women's team.

Sevilla FC is currently exploring the feasibility of increasing capacity at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, along with further enhancements, while focusing on major improvements to their training facilities. Villarreal CF intend to finish ongoing improvements at Estadio La Ceramica, including the roofing and exterior, while enhancing commercial opportunities at the venue. Finally, Valencia CF aims to finally complete the construction of their new stadium, which had been halted for more than a decade due to debts and financial difficulties.

Key backing to make LaLiga even more appealing

Although the football in Spain is already enjoyed by a large global audience, the level of competitiveness has often been called into question, principally due to the dominance of giant clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, who also boasted the most economic power. For this reason, it's hardly surprising they were amongst the two most vocal opponents to the CVC deal, which LaLiga president Javier Tebas insists will help to level the playing field.

Now that clubs will be able to improve their facilities and finances, it could lead to increased competitiveness on the pitch, making LaLiga itself even more interesting and appealing to its constantly growing international audience. Given that wagering on games is also hugely popular, this has brought further competitiveness between betting companies around the world, therefore it always makes good sense to compare what's available.

Arabian Betting has produced a series of detailed online gambling reviews for Arabic players, covering all the best online sportsbooks and casinos for players in the Middle East and North Africa. This includes tips and advice on where to find the most appealing odds and offers, aimed at providing useful information to suit every preference. In the same way LaLiga aims to enhance the experience of its audience, online gambling companies are constantly doing the same.

The key for both is focused on engagement, because the more appealing their product becomes and with further ways to participate, the more the audience grows. Shiny new stadiums packed with fans and providing a great atmosphere at games, this captures the imagination of fans viewing from afar, while innovative plans to implement interactive technologies will grab their attention even more. The future certainly looks bright for LaLiga.

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