A powerful storm, Tempestade Martinho, tore through Vila do Conde back in March. It left a clear mark on Rio Ave’s stadium, ripping apart a section of the main stand’s roof. But where some saw damage, club leaders saw a chance to rebuild, even better than before. Their goal is clear: have the stadium ready for the second league match of the season.
The sound of construction has filled the air at the stadium for weeks. Workers are making quick progress. The new roof over the damaged stand is almost complete. VIP boxes that felt the storm’s fury are also getting a fresh look. It’s all coming together nicely, just as club officials planned.
The new grass pitch is also nearly ready for action. It should be open for players to train on by the end of this month. At the very latest, it will be ready in the first week of August. This timing is key. Rio Ave is set to play Nacional at home on August 17. That match marks their second game in the Liga Portugal Betclic.
Until their home turf is truly ready, the Rio Ave team is on the road. They have been busy with pre-season training away from Vila do Conde. Their journey started with a training camp in Guimarães. Now, they are heading to Quiaios, near Figueira da Foz, to continue their preparations.
But the current fixes are just one part of a much larger plan for Rio Ave. The club is working on a big project to improve its entire sports zone. This includes adding another brand new pitch. A new building is also going up at the north end of the stadium. This space will be just for the professional football team. This major work is already underway and should be finished by the end of the year.
Looking even further ahead, the club plans to build an entirely new stand. This big addition is expected to be ready by 2028. It shows Rio Ave is not just fixing what’s broken. They are building a stronger, bigger future for their team and their fans.