The Estadio Akron, formerly known as the Estadio Omnilife and Estadio Chivas (Estadio Chivas, Spanish pronunciation: [esˈtaðjo ˈtʃiβas]), is a multipurpose stadium in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, that is used mostly for football matches. It is the home of Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara. It is part of the JVC complex, and has a capacity of 49,813. Construction started in February 2004, but due to financial problems and other issues, the stadium's completion was delayed for a number of years.
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 Stadium's exterior | |
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| Former names | Estadio Omnilife (2010–16) Estadio Chivas (2016–17) |
|---|---|
| Location | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Coordinates | 20°40′54″N 103°27′46″W / 20.68167°N 103.46278°W |
| Owner | Amaury Vergara |
| Executive suites | 133 |
| Capacity | 49,813[1] |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | February 2004 |
| Opened | July 30, 2010 |
| Construction cost | US$200 million[2] ($279 million in 2023 dollars[3]) |
| Architect | Concept Design: Jean Marie Massaud & Daniel Pouzet Sports Architects: Populous (formerly HOK Sport) Architect of Record: VFO architects |
| Tenants | |
| C.D. Guadalajara (2010–present) | |
| Website | |
| estadioakron.mx | |
The stadium hosted its first major international event with the first leg of the 2010 Finals of the Copa Libertadores, and hosted the 2011 Pan American Games opening and closing ceremonies. The stadium's artificial field caused great controversy, drawing criticism from many notable players, and in May 2012, it was announced that the stadium would replace the artificial turf with natural grass. The stadium is also expected to host some matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[4]
History
In February 2004, C.D. Guadalajara announced that it would construct a new stadium of its own, intending to leave Estadio Jalisco.[5] Construction on the stadium did not begin until May 2007.[6]
The third public football match at the stadium was a friendly between Guadalajara and Manchester United on 30 July 2010. Guadalajara won the game 3–2, with the first goal at the stadium scored by Javier "Chicharito" Hernández playing for Guadalajara.[7] This match was held to represent Hernández's transfer from Guadalajara to Manchester United, with Hernández playing the first half for Guadalajara and switching sides to Manchester United in the second half, thus symbolically sealing his transfer contract that had been signed in March 2010.[8]
The stadium hosted 8 matches of the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, including a semifinal, between Uruguay and Brazil.
It was also the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2011 Pan American Games, where it also hosted all the matches of both men's and women's football tournament.
In May 2012, following criticism regarding the artificial field, it was announced that the stadium would replace the artificial turf with natural grass.[9] The replacement was complete by July.[10]
In December 2017, the stadium changed its name from Estadio Omnilife to Estadio Akron, after signing a sponsorship deal with a car lubricants firm for 10 years.[11]
The venue hosted the Canelo Álvarez vs. John Ryder boxing fight in 2023.
The Weeknd performed during his After Hours til Dawn Tour on 25 October 2023
2026 FIFA World Cup
Estadio Akron will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the event, the stadium will be temporarily renamed to "Estadio Guadalajara" in accordance with FIFA's policy on corporate sponsored names.[12] The stadium will host four matches, all in the group stage, including Mexico's second game.[13]
International matches
Mexico national football team
| Date | Result | Competition | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 September 2010 | Mexico  |
1–2 |  Ecuador |
Friendly |
Images
References
- ^ "2026 FIFA World Cup Bid Book" (PDF). p. 178. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ "Las Chivas estrenan estadio con triunfo contra el Manchester" [Las Chivas premiere their new stadium with a triumph over Manchester] (in Spanish). El Mundo. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Tovar, Sos (16 May 2012). "Chivas decide quitar el pasto artificial del estadio Omnilife" [Chivas decide to remove the artificial turf from Omnilife Stadium] (in Spanish). Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
- ^ Torres, José Antonio (6 February 2004). "Las Chivas tendrán nuevo estadio". La Nación (in Spanish).
- ^ "Arranca la construcción del nuevo estadio de Chivas". 14 May 2007.
- ^ "Las Chivas derrotan 3–2 al Manchester United" [Las Chivas defeat Manchester United 3–2]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Notimex. 30 July 2010. Archived from the original on August 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
- ^ Marshall, Tom (8 April 2010). "Manchester United to play Guadalajara at new stadium". Guadalajara Reporter. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
- ^ "Coyote aplaude el cambio de superficie". ESPN Deportes. 16 May 2012.
- ^ "El Estadio Omnilife, listo con pasto natural". Medio Tiempo. 19 July 2012.
- ^ ""Estadio Akron", el nuevo nombre de la casa de Chivas". Proceso (in Spanish). 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
- ^ "The FIFA World Cup 2026™ stadiums". FIFA. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ Bushnell, Henry (February 4, 2024). "2026 World Cup schedule reveal: FIFA picks New York for final, Mexico for opener, West Coast for USMNT". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
External links
| Events and tenants | ||
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| Preceded by | Copa Libertadores Final Venues 2010 * Estádio Beira-Rio (Porto Alegre)
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Succeeded by TBA
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