UD Almería officially launched Phase II of the UD Almería Stadium redevelopment on Tuesday during a presentation held inside the Stadium, outlining the next steps in one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the Club's history. With construction machinery now on site, work has begun on the long-awaited transformation of the sports venue into a modern, football-specific stadium.

The event was led by Club's CEO Mohamed El Assy, who marked the beginning of a project that represents a major milestone not only for UD Almería but also for the city itself.

Almost exactly 22 years after the inauguration of the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos, which opened on 31 July 2004 to host the Spanish Athletics Championships, the Stadium is now entering a new era. The ambitious redevelopment will convert the venue into a purpose-built football stadium, with the project presented in detail to members of the media and local authorities.

Speaking on behalf of the Club, Infrastructure Director Juanjo Rodríguez explained the scope of the works and the improvements supporters can expect: 'We'll reduce the distance between the stands and the pitch to just 7 metres behind the main stand and 8 metres behind both goals. The playing surface will be lowered by 6 metres and combined with the existing 5-metre difference in ground level, we'll achieve the 11-metre depth originally outlined in the project.'

Mr Rodríguez also confirmed that the redevelopment represents an investment of €15 million, with construction expected to take between 15 and 16 months. The first stage of the project is already underway and will run for approximately 11 months.

The Club also stressed that the chosen construction plan has been designed to minimise disruption for supporters by allowing the team to continue playing their home matches in Almería.

'We believed it wouldn't be in the best interests of our supporters to have to travel to Granada or Málaga for several home matches. That's why we have opted for this solution. If there are no promotion play-offs, the second stage of the project will begin on 6 June 2027."

The presentation also featured speeches from local officials, including Eloísa María Cabrera, Councillor for Urban Planning, Housing and Major Events at Almería City Council, who highlighted the wider significance of the project.

'Today we begin building an important part of Almería's future. What starts here is not simply the second phase of a stadium redevelopment, but the consolidation of a city project that looks to the future with ambition, confidence and strategic vision,' she explained.

Also in attendance were Antonio Jesús Casimiro 'Tato', Councillor for Active City, Urban Mobility and Sport; Juan José Alonso, Andalusia's Territorial Delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport in Almería; Mónica Ruiz, President of the UD Almería Supporters' Clubs Federation; together with Juan Antonio Manrique and Álvaro Ferreras, Managing Directors of Albaida and Rialsa respectively, whose joint venture will carry out the redevelopment works.

With construction now officially under way, UD Almería have taken another decisive step towards creating a modern home that reflects the Club's ambitions on and off the pitch.