Benidorm to Spend €15 Million Transforming Old Bullring Into Modern Cultural Hub

From Bullring to 'Open Arena'

Benidorm is preparing to spend €15 million transforming its old bullring into a modern cultural and community hub — a move that says as much about the town's future as it does about its past.

Next week, the city council will bring forward a proposal to launch the tender process for the ambitious 'Benidorm Open Arena' project — a plan to turn the ageing venue into a multifunctional space for concerts, youth activities, sport and social events.

The Three Parts of the Plan

• Arena Live — the bullring itself renovated into a large flexible venue for cultural, sporting and social use
• Arena Joven — a new youth centre designed as an accessible and inclusive space for training, leisure and participation
• Arena Encuentro — urban improvements to connect the Els Tolls and Foietes-Colonia Madrid neighbourhoods with the town centre via l'Aigüera

Where's the Money Coming From?

The project has secured €6.4 million in EU funding through the European Regional Development Fund's EDIL programme. But that still leaves the council needing to find almost €9 million from its own budget — a significant investment at a time when councils are under pressure over housing, services and rising costs.

Why a Bullring?

The Benidorm bullring hasn't hosted a regular bullfighting season for years. It's already used more often for concerts and multicultural events than for matadors and capes. Rather than preserving a fading symbol for nostalgia's sake, the council is acknowledging what many places across Spain are quietly coming to terms with: old civic spaces need to evolve to survive.

Mayor Toni Pérez described the project as "ambitious", saying it will create new spaces for "culture, knowledge, entertainment and community life."

Managing the Risks

The project's technical complexity is one reason the council wants the construction company involved from the design stage. With old buildings like this, problems such as corrosion, hidden cracks or structural weaknesses often only emerge once work begins. Bringing builders in early should help avoid surprises and reduce the risk of spiralling costs.

A Second Act

There's something symbolic about this: a bullring — once a monument to an older Spain — may soon become a place for young people, concerts, public events and better neighbourhood connections. For a town built on reinvention, perhaps that's exactly the point.

This article is based on reporting from Alicante Today, published April 10, 2026. This article is for informational purposes only.