National Stadium

National Stadium, officially known as Estadio Nacional, is a multi-purpose stadium situated in Lima, Peru. It is primarily utilized for hosting association football matches, including the home games of the Peru national football team.

This stadium was inaugurated on 27 October 1952, with a friendly match between the national teams of Peru and Uruguay, replacing the old National Stadium which had a capacity of 20,000. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 40,000. The stadium was designed by Uruguayan architect José Ascon and its construction cost was approximately 23 million Peruvian soles.

As a CONMEBOL category four stadium and one of the largest stadiums by capacity in Peru, the National Stadium has hosted several important matches including the Copa America finals in 1953, 1957, and 2004, as well as the 2019 final of the Copa Libertadores. It was also the main venue of the 2019 Pan American Games, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, and the athletics competitions. By its sixtieth anniversary, the National Stadium had welcomed more than 25 million spectators. The stadium is also a potential venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Peru aims to co-host.

While the previous National Stadium was also officially named 'Estadio Nacional del Perú', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, National Stadium Lima Peru. Lima is the name of the city the stadium was built on, on the border between the districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, which itself derives its name from the nearby Catedral de Lima (Lima Cathedral). This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Lima used to simply call it el Estadio ('the Stadium'). Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'National Stadium Lima Peru', which is usually anglicized to 'National Stadium Lima Peru'. This translation, however, could be argued to be accurate, since Lima refers not to a 'road' but to the original address of the stadium: Avenida Paseo de la República ('Avenue of the Republic Walk').

The National Stadium Lima Peru has a rich history that spans over six decades. It was officially inaugurated on 27 October 1952, during the presidency of General Manuel A. Odría. The stadium has been the venue for countless national and international football matches, and has hosted several major sporting events such as the Copa América, the South American Youth Football Championship, and the Pan American Games. The stadium has also been the setting for significant cultural events, including concerts by internationally renowned artists and bands.

The National Stadium Lima Peru has a seating capacity of 50,000, making it one of the largest stadiums in South America. The stadium has undergone several renovations over the years to improve its facilities and increase its capacity. Its most recent renovation was carried out in 2011, in preparation for the Copa América tournament. This renovation included the addition of a new artificial turf field, a modern electronic scoreboard, and an improved lighting system.

The National Stadium Lima Peru is not just a sports venue, but a symbol of national pride and a testament to Peru's passion for football. It is a place where dreams are born and heroes are made, where the roar of the crowd and the thrill of the game come together to create unforgettable moments. For the people of Peru, the National Stadium Lima Peru is more than just a stadium - it is a part of their national identity, a landmark that stands as a reminder of their country's sporting history and achievements.

An ideal location, with excellent accessibility and ample space for future expansion, was identified in the Lima District of the Peruvian capital. Being situated in the heart of the city, the new stadium was initially known as 'Estadio Nacional de Lima'.

The vision of the club was always to own both the stadium and the surrounding terrains. Initially, a lease was signed for the municipal terrains, with the final purchase taking place only in 1972. The plans for the sports complex were drawn up as early as the 1950s by Teodoro Fernández, a legendary player for the club.

Under the leadership of the club's president, Augusto C. Leguía, the associates faced a higher fee to support the construction costs of the new stadium, made significant donations, and some even voluntarily worked on the construction site during holidays or weekends. There was even a 'concrete campaign', whereby large quantities of concrete bags were donated to the club.

The construction officially began on 27 October 1951. Less than two years later, and at a cost of 12,037,683 sols, on 27 October 1952 (a national holiday), a crowd of 53,000 filled the stadium for the inaugural match against rivals Alianza Lima.

The National Stadium has gone through several renovations since its inauguration. One of the most significant took place in 2011 when the stadium was completely modernized, with improved facilities, better seating arrangements, a new electronic scoreboard, and accessibility for disabled people. Today, the stadium boasts a seating capacity of 40,000 and is equipped with an artificial turf in compliance with FIFA's standards. It also has four changing rooms, an anti-doping control room, a press conference room, and other facilities that make it a world-class stadium.

The stadium is not only a venue for football matches but also hosts a variety of events including concerts, cultural events, and athletic competitions. It is a symbol of national pride and a testament to the country's love for sports. The National Stadium of Lima, with its rich history and modern facilities, continues to be a significant landmark in the world of sport.

'Estadio Nacional (1952)' (in Spanish). Peruvian Sports Institute. Archived from the original on 30 August 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2015. https://www.ipd.gob.pe/estadios/estadio-nacional

'Estadio Nacional (El Coloso de José Díaz) – until 2000'. StadiumDB.com. Retrieved 7 February 2015. http://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/per/estadio_nacional