David Arellano Monumental Stadium or Estadio Monumental David Arellano, officially named Estadio Monumental Colo-Colo, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Santiago, Chile. It is used mostly for association football matches, hosting the home games of Chilean club Colo-Colo, its owner.
Opened on 20 April 1975 with an exhibition match between Colo-Colo and Avai, it replaced the original Estadio Colo-Colo, which had 30,000 seats. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 47,347. The stadium was designed by Mario Recordon and had a construction cost of $3 million.
Estadio Monumental David Arellano is one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in Chile and has hosted several important matches. Notably, it was the venue for the 1991 Copa Libertadores final, in which Colo-Colo became the first Chilean team to win the prestigious tournament. It also hosted the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, among other international events.
By its fortieth birthday, Estadio Monumental David Arellano had welcomed millions of spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for future international football competitions. It was elected the most beautiful stadium in Chile in various online polls. The facilities within its premises, such as the sports complex, the Colo-Colo store, and the club's headquarters, add to its importance and appeal.
While the previous Colo-Colo stadium was also officially named 'Estadio Monumental David Arellano', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Estadio Monumental. Monumental is the name given due to its grandeur and the famous statue of David Arellano, the founder of Colo-Colo, which stands outside the stadium.
The stadium is located in the commune of Macul, in the southeastern part of Santiago. The original name David Arellano is a tribute to the founder of the club, who was a renowned football player and is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Chilean football. This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Santiago used to simply call it Monumental. Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Estadio Monumental'. The translation of the name is 'Monumental Stadium'. This name, however, refers not to a monument but to the original name of the stadium: Estadio Monumental David Arellano ('Monumental Stadium David Arellano').
The stadium is the largest in Chile with an official capacity of 47,347. The stadium was built with a vision of creating a world-class sports complex, and it has fulfilled its purpose by hosting numerous national and international events, including Copa Libertadores matches and concerts of renowned international artists. The stadium has also become a symbol of national pride, as it is the home ground of Colo-Colo, the most successful football club in Chile. The stadium's architecture and its importance to the local sports culture combined with the history of Colo-Colo and its founder, David Arellano, make it a significant monument in Chilean football history.
Estadio Monumental David Arellano, located in the commune of Macul, Santiago, is an impressive terrain with excellent accessibility and ample room for future expansion. The stadium was named after David Arellano, one of the founders and early players of Colo-Colo, the club that owns and operates the stadium.
The club had always aimed to own both the stadium and the surrounding lands. Initially, they managed the stadium on a lease basis, but eventually, they became the outright owners. The plans for this sports complex were conceived as early as the late 1940s by the club's management.
Under the leadership of the club's president, the members managed an increased fee to support the construction costs of the new stadium. They offered generous donations, and some even volunteered to work on the construction site during holidays or weekends. There was also a 'cement campaign', in which large quantities of cement bags were donated to the club.
The construction work officially started on 14 June 1953. Less than two years later, and at a cost of over 12 million escudos, the stadium was inaugurated on 1 December 1954 (a national holiday). A crowd of 40,000 fans filled the stadium for the inaugural match, signifying the immense popularity and support the club enjoys.
Estadio Monumental David Arellano is not just a sports facility, it's a monument that symbolises the passion and dedication of Colo-Colo's fans and their unwavering love for the sport. It's a testament to the club's rich history and its commitment to providing an exceptional experience for its fans, players, and everyone who visits this magnificent monument.
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