Colombian Football Stadiums
Many Colombian football stadiums saw a dramatic improvement prior to the Under-20 World Cup held in Colombian in 2011.
Although the majority of stadiums still retain an unsightly running track around the pitch, the facilities and sight lines in most of the larger stadiums are reasonable.
Prices are cheap compared to those in Europe. The terraces located behind the goals are the cheapest, but one or both are usually populated by the die-hard supporter groups known as Barras Bravas. The stands at the sides of the pitch are slightly more expensive (usually one more than the other).
Very few seats in Colombian football stadiums are numbered which means arriving early for big games if you want to get a good spot. Queues can often be long and slow moving outside the grounds on clasico (derby) day.
Colombian football stadiums divided by city:
Bogota
Nenemsio Camacho El Campin
Location: Carrera 30 with calle 57
Opened: 1938
Capacity: 42,000
El Campin stadium is one the stadiums most favoured by the Colombian national team for their home matches. It is home to Bogota's two large clubs; Millonarios and Independiente Santa Fe.
During clasicos (derby matches) the diehard Millonarios fans, known as Los Comandos Azules, take the northern section of the ground and the Santa Fe fans, La Guardia Albi Roja Sur, occupy the south.
Estadio Metropolitano de Techo
Location: Calle 193 Nº 38 - 20
Opened: 1959
Capacity: 10,000
Metropolitano de Techo stadium is a small, relatively new stadium located in the south of the city near Transmilenio station Mundo Aventura.
Since 2007 it has been home to Bogota team La Equidad Seguros.
Medellin
Estadio Atanasio Giradot
Location: Crr 70 nr Metro station Estadio
Opened: 1953
Capacity: 45,000
Medellin's Atanasio Giradot stadium is one of the largest in the country. It is the centrepiece to a large sport complex in the west of the city.
Unlike most large Colombian football stadiums the Atanasio Giradot is mostly uncovered (only the Occidental terrace has a roof). The lack of shade can be a bit of a problem on a hot sunny day, particularly in the Oriental stand towards which the shine shines directly in the afternoon.
The stadium is used by Medellin's two big football clubs; Atletico Nacional and Deportivo Independiente Medellin. Nacional's Barra Brava, known as Los Del Sur, occupy the south terrace while La Resistencia of Deportivo Independiente Medellin take the north.
Estadio Polideportivo Sur
Location: South-west Envigado
Opened: 1992
Capacity: 14,000
Polideportivo Sur stadium is located in the town of Envigado, just south of Medellin and is about a fifteen minute walk from the Envigado Metro station.
The stadium is used by Envigado Football Club.
Estadio Ditaires
Location: Itagui
Opened: 1994
Capacity: 12,000
Ditaires stadium is a small ground in the town of Itagui to the south of Medellin. To get there take the Mero to Itagui station and catch a bus or taxi (about 15 minutes).
Ditaires stadium is home to Itagui Football Club.
Cali
Estadio Pascual Guerrero
Location: San Fernando
Opened: 1937
Capacity: 33,000
Pascual Guerrero stadium, named after a poet from the region who was influential in its construction, is one of the oldest Colombian football stadiums.
It is the home of America de Cali whose Barra Brava, Baron Rojo Sur, is located in the south stand. The ground was previously shared with Deportivo Cali until they moved to their new home, Estadio Deportivo Cali, in nearby Palmira in 2010.
Estadio Deportivo Cali
Location: Near Palmira
Opened: 2010
Capacity: 52,000
Deportivo Cali stadium has the largest capacity of any stadium in Colombia, since the capacity of the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla has been reduced from 60,000 down to 49,612.
It is the first Colombian stadium to be built and owned by a club. It is located just outside the town of Palmira about 15km from Cali.
Barranquilla
Estadio Metropolitano
Location: In the south of Barranquilla
Opened: 1986
Capacity: 49,612
The Metropolitano stadium in the sticky port city of Barranquilla is another favourite venue for the Colombian national football team.
The venue remains one of the biggest Colombian football stadiums. In 2011 the capacity of the Metropolitano stadium was reduced from 60,000 to 49,612 in order to comply with FIFA regulations for the staging of the 2011 Under-20 World Cup.
The Metropolitano stadium is home to Atletico Junior. Junior's fanatics go by the name of Frente Rojiblanco Sur and occupy the south terrace.
Cartagena
Estadio Jaime Moron
Location: Olaya Herrera neighbourhood
Opened: 1958
Capacity: 17,000
Estadio Jaime Moron underwent a makeover in 2011 for the FIFA Copa Mundial Sub-20. It is a little small compared to other Colombian football stadiums, not surprisingly in a city traditionally more fanatical about baseball and boxing.
The stadium is home to Real Cartagena whole Barra Brava Rebelion Auriverde Norte take the north stand.
Manizales
Estadio Palogrande
Location: In the East of Manizales
Opened: 1994
Capacity: 42,000
The Palogrande stadium in Manizales is one of the more modern Colombian football stadiums. It is located in an affluent part of Manizales near the Zona Rosa (nightlife district).
The Palogrande stadium is home to local club Once Caldas who famously won the Copa Libertadores here in 2004 after beating Argentine side Boca Juniors on penalties in the final.
The Once Caldas Barra Brava is known as Holocausto Norte and occupy the north terrace with the visiting supporters situated in a corner of the south terrace.
Pereira
Estadio Hernan Ramirez Villegas
Location: La Villa, South Pereira
Opened: 1971
Capacity: 32,000
The Hernan Ramirez Villegas stadium underwent a mojor renovation in 2011 to be used for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. The capacity of the stadium is now around 40,000 with the whole of the stadium covered. It is now one of the most modern and comfortable Colombian football stadiums.
The Hernan Ramirez Villegas stadium is used by Deportivo Pereira. The Pereira supporters group Lobo Sur occupy the south stand with the visitors in the north.
Armenia
Estadio Centenario
Location: In the south of Armenia
Opened: 1988
Capacity: 22,000
The Estadio Centenario of Armenia was remodelled in 2011 for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. Thankfully the awful colour scheme of pink, orange and green was replaced with a more palatable green, white and yellow in addition to the installation of roofs over the terraces behind each goal.
The Centenario stadium is used by Armenia side Deportes Quindio whose Barra Brava Artilleria Verde Sur take the south stand.
Cucuta
Estadio General Santander
Location: Central Cucuta
Opened: 1948
Capacity: 42,000
The General Santander stadium of Cucuta has a slightly weary look. Nevertheless it is one of the larger Colombian football stadiums with a capacity of around 42,000 and when full can generate a quite intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.
The General Santander stadium is home to Cucuta Deportivo and played host to the teams remarkable run in the Copa Libertadores of 2007 in which they reached the semi-final beating Boca Juniors 3-1 in the first leg in Cucuta only to lose 3-0 in the controversial return leg in Buenos Aires.
Cucuta's Barra Bravas are known as La Banda del Indio and Trinchera Norte and take the north stand.
Bucaramanga
Estadio Alfonso Lopez
Location: Between Crr 30 and Calle 14
Opened: 1941
Capacity: 28,000
The Alfonso Lopez stadium has the distinction of being the only Colombian football stadium to have a synthetic playing surface which was installed in 2006. The terraces are coloured with green and yellow stripes after the colour of the Bucaramanga flag.
The stadium is home to Atletico Bucaramanga and Real Santander.
Tunja
Estadio de La Independencia
Location: North Tunja
Opened: 2000
Capacity: 21,000
Estadio de La Independencia has had a short histroy and has rapidly evolved from a small Division B stadium with a capacity of around 8,000 to a comfortable venue of 21,000 on the back of home team Boyaca Chico's success in the Copa Libertadores in 2008 and 2009.
Ibague
Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro
Location: Ibague
Opened: 1955
Capacity: 33,000
Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro is a medium-sized stadium in which Deportes Tolima play their home matches. The fanatical group Revolucion Vinotinto Sur occupy the south terrace behind the goal.
In 1981 a large part of the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium collapsed during a game due to overcrowded terraces resulting in the tragic deaths of 17 people.
Neiva
Estadio Guillermo Plazas Alcid
Location: Neiva
Opened: 1980
Capacity: 27,000
Estadio Guillermo Plazas Alcid, one of the more tired-looking Colombian football stadiums, is home to Atletico Huila.
The Atletico Huila Barra Brava is called Alta Tension Neiva and take the south stand.
Santa Marta
Estadio Eduardo Santos
Location: East Santa Marta
Opened: 1951
Capacity: 23,000
Estadio Eduardo Santos is home to Union Magdalena, an historically important club from the coast of Colombia.
Outside the stadium is a bronze statue of Santa Marta's most famous footballing son, Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama, complete with characteristic blond mop of hair!
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