La Bombonera, one of Latin America's most emblematic stadiums, could experience a historic transformation if Cabo brings an ambitious proposal to expand and modernize it. This initiative of the Frente Único para el Orden y el Progreso, whose president, Pedro Orgambide, gave impetus to the idea of increasing the stadium's capacity to 90,000 spectators. According to Orgambide, this project is crucial not only for the institution, but also for the community of La Boca and the future of the club.
Orgambide, who founded the organization in 1953, raised the importance of the participation of all the actors involved, of the associations and movements up to the assembly of the club representatives. In a letter addressed to the Boca headquarters, at Brandsen 805, Orgambide explained that the main challenge, just as in 1940, was the terrain where the stadium was located. The proposed expansion and modernization of the Bombonera includes the purchase of properties located behind the stands, in particular those located in Calle Del Valle de Iberlucea, to allow for the expansion of the stadium.
The history of the Bombonera began on May 25, 1940, with its grand inauguration, when Boca Juniors defeated San Lorenzo 2-0 in a friendly match. The structure of the stadium was designed by Slovenian architect Viktor Sulčič, who, inspired by a box bomb, ensured that today it is one of the best-known stadiums in world football. Initially, the stadium received the name of «Camilo Cichero» in his homeland from the president of Boca Juniors who gave impetus to its construction, but in 2000, under the presidency of Mauricio Macri, the name was changed to «Alberto J. Armando», as tribute to the president who presided over the club during two historic periods.
The current president of the association, Pedro Orgambide, explained in a conversation with the Argentina Noticias agency that the original design of La Bombonera must be much larger. However, due to the lack of space, it was up to the Delpini architect to adjust the plans. In 1961, the need for a stadium with a capacity of 100,000 people arose, as the passion of Boca Juniors' thumbs could not be found at the steps of the original stadium.
The proposed expansion has become an imperative necessity for the future of the club. Orgambide realized that the problem of the lack of space continues to be the same thing that occurred in 1940. For him, the purchase of the surrounding properties that would allow the expansion of the stadium was underway. This solution, according to Orgambide, would not only benefit the club, but would also have a positive impact in the Boca community, where Boca Juniors continued to maintain a key institution.
The Bombonera expansion and modernization project is neither a simple nor short-lived task. The organization found that these types of changes had not occurred in a four-year government, as it required planning across a long square, involving engineering, architecture and urban planning professionals. The proposal also contemplates the intervention of technical bodies and the creation of laws at both a national and international level that facilitate the implementation of the project. To log it, you need to contact the help and cooperation of different interested parties.
The project not only seeks to improve the stadium's infrastructure, but also to make the Bombonera a more sustainable, safe and accessible venue for Boca Juniors' sides. The objective was to keep the stadium in the La Boca neighborhood, an emblematic place for the history of Boca Juniors and Argentine football, despite the importance of the expansion.
Currently, the stadium's capacity is approximately 57,000 people. However, with the expansion, we hope that La Bombonera will be able to accommodate around 90,000 spectators, which will turn it into one of the largest stadiums on the continent. This historic change will allow Boca Juniors to have an infrastructure in line with its size and the passion of its followers, and would be a success in the history of football in Latin America.
The debate on the expansion of the Bombonera is not new. Over the years, several proposals have emerged to improve the stadium, but none of them have been able to materialize due to the complexity of the surrounding terrains and the resistance of some sectors of the club. However, the initiative of the Frente Único for Order and Progress has attracted the attention of various sectors of the club and the community, generating a debate on the future of the stadium and its ability to adapt to the needs of modern times.
La Bombonera is more than a stadium for the hinchas of Boca Juniors. It is a symbol of the history, passion and identity of one of the biggest clubs in Argentina and world football. Since its inauguration in 1940, it has witnessed countless historical moments, from national and international titles to the epic comebacks that have been recorded in the collective memory of los hinchas. The expansion and modernization of the Bombonera was not only a point of reference in terms of capacity and comfort, but also a recognition of the history of the club and its fan base, who have kept the passion for Boca Juniors alive for all the years.
The proposal also gave rise to an important question about the future of Argentine football. As football has globalized and stadiums have attempted to adapt to the new needs of players, clubs must look for ways to improve their infrastructure to continue to compete. In this sense, the expansion of the Bombonera will be an important step to ensure that Boca Juniors remains one of the most relevant institutions in world football.
The proposed expansion of the Bombonera is, therefore, an initiative that transcends the scope of Boca Juniors. This is a project that could change the landscape of football in Argentina and Latin America. If I arrived in Cabo, it would be a testament to the growth and evolution of football in the region, and a demonstration of the ability of clubs to adapt to the challenges of the future without losing sight of their identity and history.
