The José María Martín Carpena arena is set for one of its most ambitious renovations in recent years. The home of Unicaja in the Liga Endesa will fully refurbish its seating bowl and increase capacity to 11,000 spectators.
A full seating overhaul
Málaga City Council has launched the tender process to replace thousands of seats and modernise the entire seating ring. Investment will exceed €3.2 million and covers a deep intervention in the stands rather than cosmetic touch-ups.
The project aims to improve the fan experience and bring the arena in line with current standards for a venue that hosts top-tier Spanish basketball. The work includes large-scale seat replacement and a review of access routes across the building.
330 additional seats
The expansion will add 330 new seats to the current capacity of around 10,700. Once completed, the Carpena will move close to the 11,000 mark, strengthening its role as a leading arena in southern Spain.
For Unicaja Málaga, the upgrade comes at a key point in preseason. More seats and refurbished stands can translate into higher ticket revenue and a stronger environment ahead of the 2026/27 ACB campaign.
Municipal backing for Málaga basketball
The plan is part of the council wider push to modernise sports facilities and keep Málaga on the map for major events. The Carpena has hosted Liga Endesa games, cup ties and international fixtures for decades, and this renovation is designed to preserve that status.
The scope of the project and the investment figure were reported by Mundo Deportivo and SPORT in separate pieces on the launch of Málaga City Council tender process.