Race is on for €450m football theme park

As the full-time whistle blows on this year’s tournament, the baton will be passed to Portugal, Spain and Morocco who will jointly host the centenary event.

But the focus for many, in the months leading up to its kick-off, will be on an 80-hectare development taking shape in the municipality of Santarém.

Viva Mundo is designed to be within easy access of both Porto and Lisbon – and neighbours Spain. The park promises a blend of traditional park rides, such as rollercoasters, and themed activities around football, including a large water park.

In addition, it will deliver some 300 hotel rooms and aims to pull in some 1.5 million visitors annually.

However, timelines are tight. Assuming all funding and permissions are granted, work is set to start in the first quarter of 2027.

It has already confirmed its opening date – April 30, 2030. The FIFA World Cup kicks off early June, allowing little space for any delays.

Jose Miguel Ferraz, founder and chief executive of JFA Group, which is tasked with delivering the project, said recently: “The main challenges are linked to the scale and uniqueness of the development.

“Viva Mundo is not a conventional theme park and not a standard real estate project. It combines attractions, sport, entertainment, tourism, culture, education, hospitality, public realm, mobility, infrastructure and long-term operational requirements.”

Paul Sheedy, special advisor to the Golden Visa-applicable Portugal Future Fund, explained: “We can expect to see a World Cup bump which could drive investment in Portugal over the coming four years and beyond. This is an interesting venture and one which may become a catalyst for other football and media-related endeavours.”

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