Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes

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Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium
Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes
Chateau Carreras [1]
Messi tiro libre frente a paraguay.jpg
Former namesEstadio Olímpico
AddressAv. Cárcano s/n
Córdoba
Argentina
OwnerCórdoba Province
Capacity57,000 [2]
Field size105 x 70 m
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built1976–1978
OpenedMay 16, 1978
Renovated2011–12
ArchitectSánchez Elía-Peralta Ramos [2]
Tenants
Talleres
Belgrano (some games)
Argentina national football team (some games)
Córdoba Open

The Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes,[2] formerly known as Estadio Córdoba and popularly Estadio Chateau Carreras,[2] is a stadium in the Chateau Carreras neighborhood of Córdoba, Argentina. It is used mostly for association football matches and also sometimes for athletics.

The stadium was built in 1976 in preparation for the 1978 FIFA World Cup, with a capacity for 47,851 spectators[2] although it doesn't provide seating for all of them, like many Argentine stadiums.

Most football teams in Córdoba have their own stadiums but they usually prefer playing in this stadium for its size and comfort, especially when playing important games that attract big crowds. Generally, this stadium is used for Talleres' matches, and is used for Belgrano's, Instituto's and Racing's matches. The Argentina national football team home matches have also been played here.

The stadium, in 2006 and 2007, hosted some Special Stages of motorsport event named Rally Argentina, a round of the World Rally Championship.

During 2010 and 2011 the stadium went through a remodelling process. The field was sunken 4 meters, the iconic Autotrol scoreboards installed for the 1978 World Cup were replaced with modern video screens, new bleachers were built in order to improve the poor view caused by the shallow shape of the stadium and the capacity was increased to 57,000, becoming the third largest stadium in Argentina by seating capacity. It was re-opened on June 26, 2011, just 5 days before the start of the 2011 Copa America. The stands were fully covered after the cup.

In October, 2010 the name was changed to honor Mario Kempes, former Argentina national team player and top goal scorer of the 1978 FIFA World Cup, who was also a native of Córdoba.

History[]

The construction of the stadium was commissioned to "Sánchez Elía-Peralta Ramos" Architects studio of Buenos Aires, which then associated with architects of Córdoba to carry out the project. In 1976, the military government of Argentina led by Jorge Rafael Videla, created a self-governing entity ("EAM 78") that took over remodelation and construction of stadium and buildings for the 1978 FIFA World Cup that would be held in Argentina.[3]

Aport from Estadio Olímpico, other stadiums to be refurbished for the World Cup were River Plate, Vélez Sarsfield, Ciudad de Mendoza, Mar del Plata Stadium. Since the projects were launched, costs of constructions raised to US$ 520 million, five times higher than 1982 World Cup.[4][5]

The stadium was finally inaugurated on May 16, 1978, in a match where Argentina played a local combined. The first World Cup held in the Chateau Carreras stadium was the Peru 3 v Scotland 1, on June 3.

In October 2010, the Legislature of Córdoba Province approved the change of name of the stadium to "Mario Alberto Kempes" to honor the former footballer born in the province.[6] That changed had been driven by local journalist Claudio Menditto on his article "A tribute for Matador", published in 2008.[7]

The Mario Kempes stadium was later refurbished in preparation for the 2011 Copa América, and inaugurated on July 26, 2011. Works included positioning of roof on grandstands, and an expansion to 57,000 spectators. Besides, all the lightning was renovated.

Sporting events[]

1978 FIFA World Cup[]

During the 1978 FIFA World Cup, Cordoba hosted two Group 2 matches, three Group 4 matches and three more during second round.

The stadium during a game played between Argentina and Ghana in 2009. This picture was taken before remodeling

Mario Kempes Stadium also hosted three Group B matches and a semifinal during the 1987 Copa America; five group stage matches, two matches during round of 16, one more for quarter finals and a semi final for the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship; and for the 2011 Copa America Cordoba was venue for two Group B, one Group A matches and held a quarter final. Argentina national rugby union team, Los Pumas, has played several test matches here and the Cordoba Rugby Union has used the stadium for defining instances of its annual championship.

The 1982 World Boxing Association world Super-Bantamweight title fight between champion Sergio Palma and former WBA world Bantamweight champion Jorge Luján, won by Palma on a fifteen round unanimous decision, was held at this stadium.[8]

Córdoba also held the 2015 and 2016 finals of the Copa Argentina, and the 2015 Supercopa Argentina. In 2021, Mario Kempes stadium hosted the 2020 Copa Sudamericana Final,[9] where Defensa y Justicia crowned champions after beating Lanús 30.

Facilities[]

The Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium is the center of a 40 hectares park and sports complex that includes the Soledad García Provincial Field Hockey Stadium, opened in 2012,[10] that honors the two times world champion Soledad García; an Olympic-size swimming pool, opened in 2014 and named after the olympic medallist Georgina Bardach;[11] an auxiliar field, located north of the main stadium, that hosts training and smaller football and rugby events; a BMX circuit, a running track, and basketball, volleyball and tennis facilities.[12]

Concerts[]

Music concerts hosted at Mario Kempes stadium include:

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Estadio Mario Kempes on Córdoba Cultura
  2. ^ a b c d e Estadio Mario Kempes on Córdoba Turismo
  3. ^ LOS 12 ESCANDALOS MAS FAMOSOS DE LAS COPAS DEL MUNDO by Alejandro Mayorga on Mundo Soccer
  4. ^ El contexto político y económico en el mundo en junio del 78 on Clarín, 25 Jun 2008
  5. ^ "Las mejores anécdotas del Mundial de Argentina 1978 on Colgados por el fútbol
  6. ^ El estadio se llama Kempes on ESPN, 21 Oct 2010
  7. ^ Un homenaje para el Matador (archived, 3 Nov 2013)
  8. ^ Jorge Luján profile on BoxRec
  9. ^ La Final Única se disputará el 23 de enero en el Mario Alberto Kempes on Conmebol, 9 Nov 2020
  10. ^ El nuevo estadio Soledad García on CAH, 9 Jan 2012
  11. ^ La nueva piscina de Córdoba fue bautizada como Georgina Bardach on Cancha Llena, 13 Dec 2014 (archived)
  12. ^ Conocé el estadio Mario Alberto Kempes y a la Agencia Córdoba Deportes on Cienradios (archived, 26 Jun 2015)

External links[]

Coordinates: 31°22′8.24″S 64°14′46.48″W / 31.3689556°S 64.2462444°W / -31.3689556; -64.2462444

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