Estadio Akron Explained

Stadium Name:Estadio Akron
Logo Image:Estadio Akron Logo.svg
Location:Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
Broke Ground:February 2004
Opened:July 30, 2010
Owner:Amaury Vergara
Surface:Grass
Construction Cost:US$200 million[1]
($ in dollars)
Architect:Concept Design:
Jean Marie Massaud & Daniel Pouzet
Sports Architects:
Populous (formerly HOK Sport)
Architect of Record:
VFO architects
Former Names:Estadio Omnilife (2010–16)
Estadio Chivas (2016–17)
Tenants:C.D. Guadalajara (2010–present)
Capacity:49,813[2]
Suites:133

The Estadio Akron, formerly known as the Estadio Omnilife and Estadio Chivas (Estadio Chivas, pronounced as /es/), 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.

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.[3]

History

In February 2004, C.D. Guadalajara announced that it would construct a new stadium of its own, intending to leave Estadio Jalisco.[4] Construction on the stadium did not begin until May 2007.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8] The replacement was complete by July.[9]

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.[10]

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.[11] The stadium will host four matches, all in the group stage, including Mexico's second game.[12]

International matches

Mexico national football team

width=120Datewidth=110width=60Resultwidth=110width=230Competition
4 September 2010 1–2 Friendly

Images

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Las Chivas estrenan estadio con triunfo contra el Manchester. Las Chivas premiere their new stadium with a triumph over Manchester. El Mundo. 29 August 2011. es. 31 July 2010.
  2. Web site: 2026 FIFA World Cup Bid Book . PDF . 178 . 11 April 2021.
  3. Web site: Chivas decide quitar el pasto artificial del estadio Omnilife. Tovar. Sos. 16 May 2012. Huffington Post. es. Chivas decide to remove the artificial turf from Omnilife Stadium. 16 May 2012.
  4. Web site: Las Chivas tendrán nuevo estadio. La Nación. José Antonio. Torres. 6 February 2004. Spanish.
  5. Web site: Arranca la construcción del nuevo estadio de Chivas. 14 May 2007.
  6. News: Las Chivas derrotan 3–2 al Manchester United. 30 July 2010. La Jornada. 2010-07-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20100802142430/http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2010/07/30/marca-chicharito-hernandez-gol-para-las-chivas. August 2, 2010. dead. Notimex. es. Las Chivas defeat Manchester United 3–2.
  7. News: Manchester United to play Guadalajara at new stadium. Marshall. Tom. 8 April 2010. Guadalajara Reporter. 8 April 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110711132837/http://guadalajarareporter.com/sports-mainmenu-89/26618-manchester-united-set-guadalajara-date.html. 11 July 2011. dead.
  8. Web site: Coyote aplaude el cambio de superficie. ESPN Deportes. 16 May 2012.
  9. Web site: El Estadio Omnilife, listo con pasto natural. Medio Tiempo. 19 July 2012.
  10. News: "Estadio Akron", el nuevo nombre de la casa de Chivas. Proceso. 15 December 2017. 27 July 2019. es. 27 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190727202234/https://www.proceso.com.mx/515278/estadio-akron-el-nuevo-nombre-de-la-casa-de-chivas. dead.
  11. Web site: The FIFA World Cup 2026™ stadiums . FIFA . March 16, 2023.
  12. News: 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 . February 4, 2024.