Metropolitano revamp sends Palmeiras’ Libertadores opener to Cartagena | OneFootball

Palmeiras will start their Conmebol Libertadores 2026 away to Junior Barranquilla in Cartagena at 21:30 on Wednesday. The tie has moved 133 km from the Colombian club’s home because Barranquilla’s Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez is being rebuilt for the Copa Sudamericana final.

The Metropolitano was selected in November to stage this year’s Sudamericana decider, prompting extensive works. According to Globo.com, construction began in January and most of it is scheduled to be finished by November.

The project is valued at $45 million, about R$ 231.3 million, and will lift capacity from 45,994 to 60,000. For concerts, it could take up to 75,000.

The athletics track is being removed and the first four rows have been demolished to bring fans closer. The pitch has been dug down roughly four metres and a hybrid surface, natural with synthetic reinforcement, will be installed, similar to the Neo Química Arena.

The stadium will also get a refreshed facade, a 500-metre LED ribbon and big screens to the north and south.

Bathrooms and dressing rooms are being rebuilt, with dedicated areas for the Colombia national team, Junior Barranquilla and visiting sides. Restaurants and a museum telling the stories of club and country are planned.

With Barranquilla out of action, the fixture has been moved to Cartagena’s Estadio Olímpico Jaime Morón León. Tickets for the west stand sold out over the weekend.

Junior travelled by bus on Monday. Palmeiras stayed in Salvador on Sunday, then flew to Cartagena on Monday afternoon, arriving in the evening.

Source: Globo.com