- Stadio Sant'Elia
Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Stadio Comunale Sant'Elia
nickname =
location =Cagliari ,Italy flagicon|Italy
broke_ground = 1970
opened = 1970
renovated = 1989
closed =
demolished =
owner = Municipality ofCagliari
operator =
surface =Grass
105x66.5m
construction_cost =
architect =
former_names =
tenants =Cagliari Calcio
seating_capacity =
23,486Stadio Comunale Sant'Elia is a football
stadium inCagliari ,Italy . It is currently the home ofCagliari Calcio . The stadium has a capacity of 23,486. It hosted three matches in the1990 FIFA World Cup .Its construction began in 1970, following
Cagliari Calcio 's first and so far onlyScudetto , thus taking the place of the old Amsicora Stadium.The stadium could accommodate up to about 60,000 spectators (the record attendance being approximately 70,000, was recorded against
Saint Etienne ). The stadium had subsequently underwent major changes and restructuring for the1990 FIFA World Cup . The maximum capacity of Sant'Elia was reduced to 39,905 spectators.The Sant'Elia was also used for sporting events outside football such as the Terra Sarda athletics meet.
Before the 2002-03 season, also due to the reduced number of fans following the poor form of the team, long reduced to yo-yoing between
Serie A and B, the stadium was restructured again. Over the athletics track, a new stand was built, behind the goals so as to reduce the distance between the terrace and the playing field, with the central terraces remaining intact. The new format of the stadium, which almost halved its maximum capacity to 23,486 seats, came under harsh criticism.Cagliari Calcio presidentMassimo Cellino has plans to build a new stadium for the football team to play in, however the council and mayor Emilio Floris refused to give consent for the project to go ahead, despite the fact that Cellino was willing to finance the new stadium himself.However plans were drawn up, and the draft revealed in
September 2007, with Cellino and Cagliari Calcio meeting all expenses. The new stadium will have an approximate capacity of 25,000. The plan declares that construction will commence inAugust 2009, and is expected to be completed a year later.
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