River Plate Stadium
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| El Monumental (the Monumental) | |
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| Full name | Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti |
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| Former names | Estadio Monumental (1938-1986) |
| Location | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Built | 1936-1938 |
| Opened | 25 May, 1938 |
| Renovated | 1978 (World Cup) |
| Owner | Club Atlético River Plate |
| Surface | grass |
| Architect | José Aslan Héctor Ezcurra |
| Capacity |
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| Field dimensions |
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Club Atlético River Plate |
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The Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, better known as El Monumental de Nuñez or River Plate Stadium, is a stadium in the Belgrano district of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is the home venue of Club Atlético River Plate and is named after former club president Antonio Vespucio Liberti. El Monumental is considered to be the national stadium of Argentina.
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[edit] History
The first match played in this stadium was on 25 May 1938 between River Plate and Peñarol from Uruguay. River won 3-1.
The stadium was renovated several times, most notably for the 1978 World Cup, when the missing stands of one side were erected to complete the circle around the field.
[edit] Facilities
The stadium has room for 65,645 people, and was renewed for the 1978 World Cup; the opening and final matches were both held in the Monumental, which had a capacity of 76,600 at the time because all of the populars stands were standing-rooms.
The stadium complex also has facilities for tennis, basketball, and other sports, as well as living quarters for young footballers, a theatre hall, a parking lot, museum etc. It can be accessed by several train and bus lines, as it is located within walking distance from the Barrancas de Belgrano transportation hub. Contrary to most other stadiums in the Buenos Aires area, there is a sizable car park by the stadium.
[edit] Sporting and Miscellaneous events held
The Monumental, aside from being where River Plate plays as host team, is also the stadium where the Argentine National Football Team usually plays as host, in events such as the FIFA World Cup qualification.
Rugby union matches featuring the Argentina national rugby union team, Los Pumas, also take place occasionally in this field, although the Pumas more frequently play at another Buenos Aires venue, Vélez Sársfield. In addition, when an international music superstar or band comes to the country, their concerts are held in this stadium, as it is the biggest in the country. Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Luis Miguel, Robbie Williams, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Roger Waters, U2, Guns N' Roses, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, Shakira, Aerosmith, The Police, Evanescence, Keane, Beck, Metallica, Kiss, Tina Turner, Franz Ferdinand, Peter Gabriel, Backstreet Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Ozzy Osbourne, Bob Dylan, AC/DC, Korn, Oasis, Black Sabbath, High School Musical, Jonas Brothers have played here, among others. Local important bands such as Soda Stereo, Los Piojos, Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota or Serú Girán have also held their major shows at the Monumental as well. In 2007, Soda Stereo played 6 sold out shows at the stadium, having the call record of shows in a single tour.
Madonna performed 4 sold-out concerts in December 2008 as part of her Sticky & Sweet Tour: during one of these concerts, an official DVD of the tour was filmed. She holds the record for fastest sell out concert at the stadium for her first show, with 3 hours and more than 67,000 tickets sold.
[edit] 1978 FIFA World Cup
The stadium served as venue for the following matches of the world tournament:
| Date | Round | Group | Team 1 | Vs. | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 1 | 1 | 2 |  West Germany |
0-0 |  Poland |
| June 2 | 1 | 1 |  Argentina |
2-1 |  Hungary |
| June 6 | 1 | 1 | Argentina |
2-1 |  France |
| June 10 | 1 | 1 |  Italy |
1-0 | Argentina |
| June 14 | 2 | A | West Germany |
0-0 | Italy |
| June 18 | 2 | A | Italy |
1-0 |  Austria |
| June 21 | 2 | A |  Netherlands |
2-1 | Italy |
| June 24 | Third place |  Brazil |
2-1 | Italy |
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| June 25 | Final | Argentina |
3-1 (AET) | Netherlands |
[edit] See also
- Club Atlético River Plate
- Antonio Vespucio Liberti
- List of association football stadiums by capacity
[edit] External links
- Sitio Oficial del Club Atlético River Plate
- Club Atlético River Plate official history
- In depth history of 'El Monumental'
- History of the stadium 'El Monumental' (written by fans)
| Preceded by Estadio Nacional Santiago |
Copa América Final Venue 1946 |
Succeeded by Estadio George Capwell Guayaquil |
| Preceded by Estadio Nacional Lima |
Copa América Final Venue 1959 |
Succeeded by Estadio Modelo Guayaquil |
| Preceded by Olympiastadion Munich |
FIFA World Cup Final Venue 1978 |
Succeeded by Santiago Bernabéu Madrid |
| Preceded by two-legged final |
Copa América Final Venue 1987 |
Succeeded by Estádio do Maracanã Rio de Janeiro |
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Coordinates: 34°32′43.15″S 58°26′59.05″W / 34.5453194°S 58.4497361°W
