Real Club Deportivo de La Coruña has presented its plans for the new Dépor Training Center, a modern facility designed by international sports architecture firm Populous. The project represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in the club’s history, with an estimated budget of €40 million and a development timeline of two to three years.
The announcement was made at an official event attended by club president Juan Carlos Escotet, CEO Massimo Benassi, Jorge Betancor, architect and managing director of Populous España, head of infrastructure Iván Sánchez, and first-team players Yeremay Hernández and Elena Vázquez.
The center will serve as the permanent base for the men’s and women’s senior squads, the Fabril (B team), and the entire youth academy system. It is intended to strengthen Deportivo’s sporting identity and reinforce its long-term purpose of returning to LaLiga’s top tier.
Dépor Training Center – Built Around Growth and Development
The project has been designed to meet both short-term operational needs and long-term sporting objectives. At the heart of the initiative lies a strong commitment to the academy.
“The youth academy is the backbone of the club,” explained CEO Massimo Benassi. “It’s not only about football development, it is also a social, educational, and economic investment that ensures sustainability and preserves our identity.”
The perspective is reflected in the project’s name, Dépor Training Center, paired with the motto “Onde Nace o Futuro” (“Where the Future is Born”). As President Escotet emphasized, “This will be the place where young talent takes root, where dreams begin to grow, and where the hard work of training becomes tomorrow’s success.”
Integrated Facilities Serving Players at Every Stage
The redevelopment of Deportivo’s training ground will take place on an expanded site, made possible by the club’s recent acquisition of adjoining land. The larger footprint allows for a complete, state-of-the-art facility designed to serve every component of the club, from the first team to the youth academy.
At the core of the complex will be eight full-size natural-grass pitches, all built to the exact dimensions of the ABANCA-RIAZOR stadium. These will be complemented by three additional warm-up pitches, providing greater flexibility for simultaneous sessions, matchday preparation, and fitness work.
A new 7,650 m² building will become the headquarters for both the first team and Fabril (the B team). Beyond offering changing rooms, gyms, and tactical preparation areas, the facility will integrate club offices, bringing management closer to players and coaching staff to foster daily interaction and a unified working environment.
Recovery and player welfare are also central to the project. The main hub will feature cutting-edge medical and wellness facilities, including a swimming pool, dedicated rest and recovery areas, and specialized spaces for physiotherapy, sports medicine, nutrition, and psychology.
Other facilities are designed to ensure that every team within the club has access to professional-grade resources. A 2,055 m² academy building will provide the next generation of players with a gym, changing rooms, and a covered outdoor area suitable for training-related events and gatherings. The women’s squad will benefit from a 2,105 m² dedicated building, underscoring Deportivo’s commitment to providing equal resources and infrastructure across all teams. A central maintenance pavilion, located at the heart of the complex, will allow for efficient site management and operational support.
The project also emphasizes the club’s role in the wider community, with new social and spectator areas where families, fans, and local supporters can gather to watch academy training sessions and matches in a welcoming, accessible setting.
Populous Integrates Sustainability into Every Aspect of Design
From the outset, sustainability has been positioned as a guiding principle in the design of the Dépor Training Center. The club and Populous have committed to delivering a facility that meets the highest standards of performance while minimizing its environmental impact. The approach blends Populous’s global experience in creating elite sports venues with the local knowledge of its Populous España team, ensuring the design resonates with both modern football demands and Galician heritage.
Key sustainability features are built into every aspect of the development. The construction will prioritize recycled and locally sourced materials, reducing the carbon footprint while supporting regional suppliers. The complex will operate as a fully electric site, powered in part by photovoltaic panels installed across the facility.
To manage water responsibly, the center will incorporate rainwater collection systems and stormwater management infrastructure, with the collected water used for irrigation of pitches. Complementing this, sustainable drainage systems will be implemented across both training surfaces and parking areas to prevent runoff and reduce environmental strain.
Finally, the project looks to future-proof its transport infrastructure with provisions for electric vehicle charging points and cycling facilities, encouraging cleaner and more sustainable modes of travel for staff, players, and visitors.
“Populous is proud to collaborate with Deportivo on this project,” said Jorge Betancor, managing director of Populous España. “The Dépor Training Center has been carefully designed to meet the needs of the next generation of footballers, while creating an optimal working environment for staff, coaches, and visitors. It represents a fusion of local expertise with the global experience Populous brings from designing hundreds of high-performance facilities around the world.”
Founded in 1906, Deportivo has long been one of Spain’s historic clubs and remains the most decorated team in Galicia. The new training center marks the next step in that journey, strengthening both the men’s and women’s teams while ensuring future generations of players have the best possible platform to succeed.
Image Credit: Populous
