Argentina - Following a major renovation between 2020 and 2023, Estadio Mâs Monumental, the home of Club Atlético River Plate and the Argentinian national football team, has been transformed into one of the most advanced sports and entertainment venues in the world.
The largest stadium in South America, with a capacity exceeding 86,000, Mâs Monumental has undergone a complete overhaul of its sound system, supported by global acoustic design consulting and media systems engineering specialists WSDG.
Implemented in close collaboration with Bosch and Electro-Voice, the new electroacoustic system was engineered to deliver ‘exceptional speech intelligibility, uniform coverage, and an immersive audio environment’ for both sporting events and large-scale concerts. WSDG conducted a detailed peer review of the proposed specifications, contributed critical design optimisations, and supervised the final system calibration on-site to ensure optimal performance.
“Designing for stadiums is always about achieving the right balance between clarity and emotional energy,” says Sergio Molho, WSDG partner and director of business development. “At Mâs Monumental, we were able to craft a sound experience that supports every word, cheer, and musical moment with power and precision.”
For years, River Plate relied on temporary rented sound systems mounted at ground level, resulting in uneven coverage and poor intelligibility. The original installed system, dating back to the 1978 FIFA World Cup, had become technologically outdated and functionally inadequate.
“A new sound system was a non-negotiable part of the renovation,” explains Rodrigo Alvarez, head architect and construction manager at Club Atlético River Plate. “It was essential not only for enhancing fan experience, but most importantly, for ensuring safety. We looked for world-class partners with proven stadium experience – and that’s why we brought in WSDG.”
The final solution combined distributed point-source loudspeakers and mezzanine-mounted arrays, all managed through advanced digital signal processing to maintain coherence across the expansive stadium. WSDG also applied its Technical Interior Design (TID) expertise to adjacent areas, enhancing sound quality and speech clarity throughout the venue.
Integrating a modern system into a stadium built in the 1930s posed structural and logistical challenges. “We had to verify and reinforce aged concrete structures, modernise electrical systems, and schedule all installations around active match days and events,” notes Alvarez. “Despite those constraints, the result is a sound system that blends into the architecture and elevates the entire stadium experience.”
Club Atlético River Plate closed 2024 with an announcement that it had once again claimed the title of the most attended football club in the world, with an average of 84,567 fans per match and over 2.4m attendees throughout the season. Estadio Mâs Monumental’s upgrades, including its new sound system, have played a major role in attracting these record-breaking crowds and reinforcing the stadium’s reputation as one of the top global venues for both sports and live entertainment.
“The reaction from both fans and performers has been overwhelmingly positive,” Alvarez adds. “The jump in quality was immediately noticeable, and it’s a major factor in our stadium being selected as a host venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.”
“This is where design meets passion,” says Molho. “Whether it’s a championship goal or a sold-out concert, our mission is to make sure every sound reaches every fan – clearly, powerfully, and without compromise. When we get it right, the system disappears, and all that remains is the experience.”
