Planning application for Gibraltar National Stadium submitted

Appointed directly by the Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) Ramboll are providing multi-disciplinary engineering services working closely with The Stadium Consultancy on this exciting UEFA compliant development. If the public consultation period runs smoothly the GFA will press ahead for outline planning permission in September, paving the way for construction to start in the first quarter of 2019. It's anticipated the stadium will take two years to complete. 

View promotional video for proposed stadium (courtesy TheStadiumConsultancy/ hhvision)

Why a new stadium is needed

The current Victoria Stadium has a capacity of approximately 2,300 seats and is used by the Gibraltar Football Association (GFA) for domestic matches within the National League, and as a training ground. In 2013, the GFA attained full membership of UEFA. However the existing Victoria Stadium does not comply with UEFA stadium standards (particularly in relation to capacity), and therefore matches played by the National team currently take place in Faro Stadium, Portugal more than 200kms away.

With the future development of professional football in Gibraltar in mind it is imperative to have a state-of-the art stadium which reaches the required UEFA standards. It is planned to redevelop the existing stadium into a modern stadium complex compliant with UEFA Category 4, with an overall capacity of more than 8,000 seats.

Site Location

With space at a premium, the proposed Gibraltar National Stadium will be located on the site of the existing Victoria Stadium. The site is adjacent to both the main arterial route between Gibraltar and Spain, and the airport. Once the new Ramboll designed Gibraltar Access Road and Tunnel is opened, the southern part of the site will form a prominent feature on the route towards the centre of Gibraltar.

Development Guidelines

Gibraltar National Stadium has been designed in line with the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) and Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE) Good for Practice Guide “to creating an accessible stadium and matchday experience”, which aims to deliver high-quality grounds that are accessible, inclusive and welcoming for all. The Green Guide (Guide to Safety at Sports Ground) developed by the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Football Licensing Authority has also been considered. 

Given the proximity of the proposed development to Gibraltar Airport, height restrictions apply. In order to assess potential impacts on airport operations, a preliminary Aeronautical Study has been developed, concluding compliance with safeguarding requirements. This Aeronautical Study is submitted in support of this outline planning application.

Martin Willis, Ramboll Global Sports Sector Lead said “This will be a great facility for the people of Gibraltar and can be a driver for a sustainable society. The design has a strong link to the Ramboll values and considers options for integrated energy solutions and sustainable building solutions with an ambition to create value for the GFA. This unique stadium integrates wider community uses along with being a new home of which the teams and fans can be proud .“

Jack Noble, Ramboll’s Gibraltar Director commented, “What an amazing success story of collaboration for such a high-profile project. With the provision of structural; building services; infrastructure; fire; vertical transportation; facades; acoustics; highways; environmental and project management services, supported from 10 different Ramboll office locations, including Gibraltar, six UK offices, Madrid, Singapore and India. This truly demonstrates collaboration and cooperation at its best!”