The Boca Juniors board, led by club legend Juan Román Riquelme and the Football Council, continues to work tirelessly on improving the club’s infrastructure. Their latest mission? A full-scale renovation of La Bombonera and surrounding facilities, including the Boca Predio youth academy.

Riquelme famously said, “I want to see my house look more beautiful every day,” and under that vision, sweeping upgrades have been made across the iconic stadium: a new state-of-the-art drainage system on the pitch, upgraded entrances, VIP parking for season ticket holders, improved lighting, modernized internal hallways, renovated locker rooms, buffets, and more. Everywhere you look, Boca Juniors is “freshly painted.”

A Gift for Boca Juniors Fans: The Historic Yellow Seats

While Boca played away against Newell’s, the club used the weekend to carry out renovations in the middle sections of La Bombonera. In a surprise move that stunned fans, Riquelme and the board decided to gift the removed iconic yellow seats to lucky members and die-hard supporters. For those chosen, it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a piece of Boca’s storied history.

A Flashback to 1996 and the Glory Years of Boca Juniors

The current renovation echoes the club’s last major overhaul in 1996, when La Bombonera was expanded under Mauricio Macri’s presidency. That renovation heralded a golden era with Carlos Bianchi as head coach, Martín Palermo smashing goal records, and a young Riquelme mesmerizing fans. Many still remember his legendary performance against Real Madrid in the Intercontinental Cup final in Tokyo.

Historic Precedent and a Sentimental Tradition

This isn’t the first time Boca has given fans physical pieces of the stadium. Back in 1996, during the stadium overhaul, fans were allowed to collect debris from the old stands—sparking a heartfelt tradition of families, like a grandfather and grandson, walking through La Boca to pick up a piece of club history.

As locals say, “Football is family, and family is football.”

The Dream of a Bigger Bombonera Lives On

Boca Juniors’ massive fanbase continues to face challenges when it comes to attending matches. With 53,000 seats, La Bombonera is packed every game, but demand far exceeds capacity. The dream? Expand the Alberto J. Armando Stadium to hold 80,000 fans. While red tape and obstacles currently prevent this, the club continues to focus on improving what it already has.