Boca Juniors announced plans to expand La Bombonera to 80,000 seats in the club's largest renovation ever. The $50-60 million project will begin during the 2026 World Cup and take at least two years to complete. The Argentine club emphasized that the iconic stadium will retain its identity while increasing capacity from 57,000 to 80,000.

Known for its chocolate-box shape, La Bombonera opened in 1940 in Buenos Aires' La Boca neighborhood. The expansion addresses a long-standing demand from fans, as less than half of the 126,000 active members can attend matches. Non-members are currently prohibited from entering.

This announcement follows River Plate's recent unveiling of plans to roof its Monumental Stadium and expand to over 100,000 seats for the 2030 World Cup. Argentina is co-hosting the centennial tournament with Paraguay, Uruguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. The Bombonera expansion positions Boca to compete with its historic rival in stadium capacity and facilities.