La Cartuja | |
Location | Seville, Spain |
---|---|
Operator | Sociedad Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla S.A. |
Capacity | 60,000 |
Field size | 105 x 68 m |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Broke ground | 1997 |
Opened | 5 May 1999 |
Construction cost | 120 million euros |
Architect |
Antonio Cruz Villalón Antonio Ortiz García |
Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla, also known as Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla is a multi-purpose stadium situated in the Isla de la Cartuja in Seville, Spain. It is used mostly for football and it is commonly referred to as simply 'la Cartuja'. It was completed in 1999 for the World Championships in Athletics and seats 60,000 people. It was the venue for the 2003 UEFA Cup Final between Celtic and Porto.
The stadium was one of those included in the Seville bid for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. After the failure of the last bid, the stadium remained unused by either of Seville's major football teams as both Real Betis and Sevilla each use their own stadia. However, both teams have expressed their intention to move temporarily while their respective home grounds are renovated.
The stadium is currently managed by the Sociedad Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla S.A., participated by the Regional Government of Andalusia (40% ownership), the Spanish Government (25%); Seville's City Hall (19%), Seville's Provincial District (13%) and the remaining 3% shared between Seville's two football clubs: Real Betis and Sevilla FC.
The Spanish national football team occasionally use the stadium for home games, last playing there in 2012. The stadium has previously hosted the final of the Copa del Rey. Real Betis home game against Villarreal on 31 March 2007 also took place here following a temporary ban from the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera.