Estadio Riazor Explained

Abanca-Riazor
Logo Image:Estadio Riazor - Logo.png
Fullname:Estadio Municipal de Riazor
Location:A Coruña, Spain
Coordinates:43.3687°N -8.4175°W
Broke Ground:1939
Built:1940
Opened:28 October 1944
Renovated:1982, 1995–1998, 2015–2018
Owner:Concello de A Coruña
Operator:Deportivo de La Coruña
Surface:Grass
Architect:Santiago Rey Pedreira
Project Manager:José Martín Alonso
Structural Engineer:José Martín Alonso
Capacity:32,490[1]
Dimensions:105mx68mm (344feetx223feetm)
Tenants:Deportivo de La Coruña (1944–present)

Estadio Municipal de Riazor (pronounced as /es/) is an all-seater stadium in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain which is the home of Deportivo de La Coruña. Currently known as Estadio Abanca-Riazor for sponsorship reasons, its name derives from the nearby beach of the same name.

It has a capacity of 32,490, making it the 13th-largest in Spain and the largest in the region. It holds the record for the most-attended match in the third tier with 29,079 spectators.[2]

The stadium hosted matches at the 1982 FIFA World Cup and is due to hold matches at the upcoming 2030 FIFA World Cup.[3] It has also hosted international friendlies and qualifying matches of the Spain national football team.

History

Although the stadium has hosted home games for Deportivo since its establishment in 1906, it wasn't until 1944 that essential facilities such as stands and changing rooms were installed . The initial field size was 105x74 meters, comparing to current 105x68.[4] That year, the stadium was officially adopted as Deportivo's ground. The opening game was against Valencia on 28 October 1944, which saw Depor lose 3–2.[5] Also, this asset made Riazor favorable for a Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Espanyol in 1947, which saw the capital's side claim their ninth cup title.[6]

The stadium was renovated in time to host three games during the 1982 FIFA World Cup finals.

On 29 June 2017, the stadium was renamed as Abanca-Riazor after the sign of a sponsorship agreement between Abanca and Deportivo de La Coruña until 2025.[7]

International matches

Spain national team matches

Date Opponent Score Competition
6 May 1945 4–2 Friendly match
23 June 1966 1–1 Friendly match
20 September 1989 1–0 Friendly match
18 January 1995 2–2 Friendly match
4 September 2009 5–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

1982 FIFA World Cup

The stadium held three matches of Group 1, one of six groups in the group stage of the 1982 FIFA World Cup. The other Group 1 games were also held in Galicia, at Balaídos, Vigo.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Estadio ABANCA-RIAZOR . rcdeportivo.es . 23 July 2024. es.
  2. Web site: 2024-04-20 . Riazor vuelve a superarse para establecer un nuevo récord de asistencia . RFEF . Spanish.
  3. News: Rampling . Ali . Spanish FA names 11 proposed 2030 World Cup stadiums . 2024-07-21 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  4. Web site: HISTORIA DE RIAZOR Página Oficial del R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña. HISTORIA DE RIAZOR Página Oficial del R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña. es. 2019-11-05.
  5. Web site: 28/10/1944 - 28/10/2014: Riazor cumple 70 años Página Oficial del R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña. 28/10/1944 - 28/10/2014: Riazor cumple 70 años Página Oficial del R.C. Deportivo de La Coruña. es. 2019-11-05.
  6. Web site: Aquellos tiempos maravillosos . https://web.archive.org/web/20111210190555/http://www.canaldeportivo.com/deportienda/deporsport/pagina/2009/09/23/32 . 23 September 2009 . 10 December 2011 .
  7. Web site: ABANCA y el Dépor llegan a un acuerdo de refinanciación de la deuda y patrocinio del estadio. Deportivo de La Coruña. es. 29 June 2017. 29 June 2017.