The magic of Osasuna’s El Sadar stadium

CA Osasuna will be playing in this Saturday's Copa del Rey final in Seville. Although the team will play far away from the city of Pamplona, they produced many magical nights at their home ground of El Sadar to make it this far.

And, it's a very special stadium, one which was named last year as the ‘World Stadium of the Year 2021’ by Stadium Database, a leading publication covering stadiums and sporting infrastructure on an international level. The result of the popular vote highlighted the redevelopment work that has been carried out at CA Osasuna’s El Sadar by OFS Architects and construction company VDR.

El Sadar became the first LaLiga stadium to obtain this honour among first 10 editions of this award. CA Osasuna’s home ground was one of 23 sports venues nominated around the world, all of which completed construction or refurbishment during 2021.

As Stadium Database explained: “The former El Sadar, built in 1967, looked run down and did not meet LaLiga requirements. Therefore, in 2018, the club decided to undertake a major revamp combined with an extension. The structural elements of the old facility served as the basis for the creation of a modern and striking arena for more than 23 500 fans, the signature of which is the omnipresent red. The way the design was chosen was unique. For the first time ever, fans decided what the new stadium should look like.”

They continued: “First of all, a new roof had to be built over all four stands. This increased the budget of the investment. But the architectural aspects were improved, as the facility now forms a consistent structure. The stadium is rectangular in shape with sharp edges and the roof resembles a giant red ring. On the other hand, the lower level of the south stand is equipped with 1 272 metal seats, which when folded take up little space and allow for comfortable cheering while standing.”

Stadium Database praised other aspects of the redevelopment, highlighting the work done to make the matchday experience more comfortable for spectators and the steps taken to improve the facilities for employees and the media, as well as the way in which the club have worked to create new revenue streams: “As part of the work carried out, a new presidential suite and business boxes were created in the grandstand. On the first floor, offices for club staff, a conference room and media space were built. The VIP area can now accommodate 1 389 people, 450 more than before.”

Of the nominated newly built and redeveloped stadiums in the running for the award, the El Sadar project was the cheapest, with the exception of some in Turkey and Argentina where construction costs are lower. The average investment for the projects on the list of nominees for ‘World Stadium of the Year 2021’ was €136 million, working out at €4 088 per seat. The redevelopment at El Sadar was completed at a cost of €23.3 million, working out at less than €1 000 per seat, four times less on average than the other stadiums nominated for this prestigious award.

The loudest crowd in LaLiga Santander history

El Sadar is also special because of its electric atmosphere. On the final day of the 2008/09 season, the venue set the record for the loudest stadium in Spain. That day, May 31st 2009, CA Osasuna took on Real Madrid at El Sadar needing a win and results elsewhere to go their way in order to secure an unlikely stay in LaLiga Santander. They entered the 38th and final matchday inside the relegation zone in 18th place, but within touching distance of Real Sporting, Real Betis, Getafe CF and Real Valladolid.

A dramatic 2-1 victory over Real Madrid that day, combined with Getafe CF drawing and Real Betis and Real Valladolid drawing with each other, meant that CA Osasuna leapfrogged all three to finish the season in 15th place, sending Real Betis down instead.

Following first-half strikes from Gonzalo Higuaín and Jaroslav Plašil and with results elsewhere not going in CA Osasuna’s favour, the Pamplona side looked to be on their way down to LaLiga SmartBank. But, as the hour-mark approached, up stepped Juanfran Torres – who would go on to play for Atlético de Madrid for many years – to slam a frankly outrageous volley from outside the area past Iker Casillas. After the match, he told reporters: “There’s no better stadium than this to celebrate a goal like that.”

He was right. The 19 239 crowd went wild, screaming so loud in their euphoria that the roar was measured at 115.17 decibels, a noise level similar to the sound made by a jet engine. That remains the loudest sound ever recorded at a LaLiga stadium to this day.