Powering performance: ABB drives efficiency at Spain’s iconic El Sadar Stadium

From world-class football matches to large community events, modern stadiums are evolving into multifunctional venues that must perform reliably, safely, and sustainably. As the global smart stadium market grows toward an estimated $38 billion by 2033¹, energy efficiency and electrification have become critical to ensuring these large facilities meet the expectations of today’s audiences.

Home to Club Atlético Osasuna, El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona has been a landmark of Spanish football since 1967². The renovation placed sustainability and operational resilience at its core, powered by ABB’s advanced electrification and automation technologies.

Working in collaboration with distributor Gabyl, installer ALBA Instalaciones y Servicios, and construction company VDR, ABB equipped the stadium with a complete portfolio of energy distribution solutions and wiring accessories. These include System pro E Power main switchboards, ComfortLine sub-distribution boards with Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) and Residual Current Devices (RCDs), OT Switch Disconnectors, Motor Protection Devices, and the Zenit range of wiring accessories. This combination of technologies helped the project team achieve a safer, more efficient installation engineered to handle higher loads today and scale for future needs.

Reliability, efficiency, and collaboration in action

The upgraded electrical system at El Sadar Stadium provides centralized, scalable, and secure control over all key electrical functions – from lighting, audio-visual broadcasting, and public address systems to safety and climate control. Integrating these systems into one network improves operational efficiency, supports energy savings during events, and ensures full compliance with European safety standards for large-capacity venues.

According to research by Duke University³, a professional sports stadium can draw between 5 and 10 megawatts (MW) of electricity during an event – roughly the same as powering 5,000 homes – underscoring the importance of efficient, reliable electrical infrastructure.

“ABB has been a valuable partner for Osasuna in implementing the system we have today at the stadium,” said Carlos González, Infrastructure Manager at Club Atlético Osasuna, the professional football club based in Pamplona. “It has enabled us to have significant energy savings without compromising performance. ABB represents innovation, reputation, and a great step forward for the club. We'll be counting on them for our next project.”

“To meet the requirements of a project like El Sadar, we needed the reliability of ABB,” added Jesús Martínez, General Manager at ALBA Instalaciones y Servicios. “Together with Gabyl, ABB’s partner distributor, we overcame every technical and timing challenge.”

Xabier Peña, Area Sales Manager at ABB, said: “For us, as ABB, it is a great satisfaction to have completed such an important project as this, equipped with ABB products. Alongside this, there's an important aspect we've emphasized: the collaboration between the three partners involved in this project: Gabyl as the distributor, Alba as the installer, and VDR as the construction company.”

Recognized for excellence

Following its renovation, El Sadar was named World’s Best Stadium 2021,⁴ a recognition that reflects how smart electrification and close collaboration can enhance both performance and sustainability. Today, the stadium serves as a reference point for future projects, showcasing how modern energy systems can support reliable operations and a better experience for fans while lowering environmental impact.