Former names | Estadio Omnilife (2010-2016) |
---|---|
Location | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico |
Coordinates | 20°40′54″N 103°27′46″W / 20.68167°N 103.46278°WCoordinates: 20°40′54″N 103°27′46″W / 20.68167°N 103.46278°W |
Owner | Jorge Vergara |
Executive suites | 315 |
Capacity | 45,364 (total capacity for football) |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Broke ground | February 2004 |
Opened | July 30, 2010 |
Construction cost |
US$200 million ($220 million in 2016 dollars) |
Architect | Concept Design: Jean Marie Massaud & Daniel Pouzet Sports Architects: Populous (formerly HOK Sport) Architect of Record: VFO architects |
Tenants | |
Guadalajara (2010–present) 2011 Pan American Games |
The Estadio Chivas , formerly known as the Estadio Omnilife (Estadio Chivas, Spanish pronunciation: [esˈtaðjo ˈtʃiβas]), is the 4th largest stadium in Mexico. It is part of the J.V.C. complex, and is a multi-use venue that is used mostly for football matches including home matches for Club Deportivo Guadalajara, commonly known as the "Chivas". The stadium has a seating capacity of 45,364. 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 was named after the brand of nutritional supplements Omnilife. 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 has caused great controversy, drawing criticism from many notable players, and in May 2012, it was announced that the stadium will replace the artificial turf with natural grass.
The first 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. Hernández played the entire first half for Guadalajara and switched sides to Manchester United in the second half, symbolically sealing his transfer contract signed in March 2010.