Athens Kallithea FC Unveils Redevelopment Vision for Historic “El Paso” Stadium.

Roger Hampel

Image: Athens Kallithea FC

Athens Kallithea FC has presented a new redevelopment vision for Grigoris Lamprakis Stadium, commonly known as “El Paso,” outlining plans to transform the historic venue into a multi-purpose urban and community hub.

Developed in collaboration with architecture firm K-Studio and engineering consultancy Arup, the proposal combines stadium modernisation with broader public-space regeneration in the Kallithea district of Athens.

Stadium Project Extends Beyond Football Infrastructure Athens Kallithea FC

The proposal goes significantly beyond a conventional stadium upgrade. Athens Kallithea FC is positioning the future “El Paso” as a mixed-use environment designed around sport, culture, leisure and community activity.

The plan includes:

• an increase in stadium capacity from 6,300 to 9,000 seats

• expanded public green areas

• upgraded hospitality and wellness facilities

• food, beverage and retail zones

• exhibition and event spaces

A major architectural feature involves opening the currently fenced perimeter of the stadium to the public, reconnecting the site with the surrounding neighbourhood through new park and social areas.

The project also introduces a new façade structure inspired by Athenian scaffolding systems, intended to create additional gathering and activity zones around matchdays and events.

Community and Identity Positioned at the Centre of the Vision

Beyond hosting the club, the venue has long been used by local residents and amateur sports organisations, making it part of the wider social and cultural identity of Kallithea. The club stated that preserving the spirit and identity of the stadium remains central to the proposal, despite the scale of the planned transformation.

This community-oriented positioning also reflects Athens Kallithea’s wider branding approach in recent years, where the club has increasingly linked football with design, culture and civic identity.

Environmental strategy forms a central component of the proposal. The project includes significant vegetation expansion and increased tree coverage aimed at improving the local microclimate and reducing urban heat impact.

“El Paso” and the Preservation of Local Character

Despite the modernisation plans, Athens Kallithea FC emphasised that the stadium’s original character would remain intact.

“El Paso” is one of the most distinctive stadium identities in Greek football, named after the Greek title of Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More due to the quarry-like landscape and rock formations surrounding the pitch.

The club appears conscious of preserving that atmosphere while adapting the venue to contemporary standards around accessibility, comfort and event usage.

A Long-Term Urban and Cultural Project

The redevelopment proposal is currently intended as the starting point for discussions with local authorities, supporters and community stakeholders.

As the stadium remains publicly owned by the Municipality of Kallithea, the project will require institutional cooperation beyond the club itself.