Real Deportivo de La Coruña Unveils New Populous-Designed Training Center

Iconic Spanish club Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña has presented the plans for its new Dépor Training Center designed by Populous.

Designs were unveiled at an event attended by club president Carlos Escotet; CEO Massimo Benassi; Jorge Betancor, architect and managing director of Populous España; Iván Sánchez, head of infrastructure at Dépor; and first-team players Yeremay Hernández and Elena Vázquez.

With an investment of approximately €40 million and a development timeline of two to three years, the new Dépor Training Center will house the men’s, women’s and academy teams, and is conceived as ‘the home of everything Deportivo’ symbolising the proud club’s ambition to return to the top-flight of Spanish football.

The state-of-the-art complex will be designed to meet the immediate and long-term needs of all club teams, while also serving as a hub for the development of young players.

As Benassi explained: “The youth academy is the backbone of the club. It’s not just a sporting commitment but a long-term social, educational and economic investment. It’s the driving force behind our sustainability and our identity.”

The name “Dépor Training Center” reflects this focus on youth, under the motto “Onde Nace o Futuro” (“Where the Future is Born”). President Juan Carlos Escotet added:

“This will be a place where talent takes root, where the dreams of boys and girls begin to grow, where every drop of sweat in training becomes the seed of tomorrow’s success.”

Jorge Betancor

Architect and Managing Director of Populous España

Following the recent acquisition of adjoining land, the redeveloped training complex will cover a larger footprint and include:

Eight full-size pitches replicating the dimensions of the club’s ABANCA-RIAZOR stadium
Three additional warm-up pitches.
A 7,650 m² main building for the first team and Fabril (B-Team), integrating club offices to foster closer interaction between players and management.
Cutting-edge recovery and wellness spaces, including a swimming pool, rest areas, and facilities for sports medicine, physiotherapy, psychology, and nutrition.

The complex will also feature:

A 2,055 m² youth academy building with a gym, auxiliary changing rooms, and a covered outdoor area for events.
A renovated 2,105 m² facility dedicated to the women’s team.
A maintenance pavilion at the centre of the site for easy access.
New social spaces where families and fans can watch academy training and matches.

To ensure the design embodies the club’s spirit in a modern, authentic way, Populous has drawn on both local heritage, using the expertise of its Populous España team alongside global expertise on Elite Training centre design. Sustainability has been a guiding principle, with measures including:

Use of recycled and locally sourced materials.
Photovoltaic panels powering a fully electric operation.
Rainwater collection and stormwater management for irrigation.
Sustainable drainage systems across pitches and car parks.
Infrastructure for electric vehicle and bicycle charging.

Jorge Betancor, architect and managing director of Populous España, commented:

“We are proud to collaborate with Deportivo on this project, which will play a key role in the club’s return to the top tier of Spanish football. The Dépor Training Center has been designed to meet the demands of the next generation of footballers, while providing the best possible working environment for coaches, staff, and visitors alike. It reflects the local expertise of our Populous España team and the global experience we bring from designing hundreds of high-performance centres around the world.”