Estadio Akron

The Estadio Akron, formerly known as the Estadio Omnilife and Estadio Chivas (Estadio Chivas, Spanish pronunciation: [esˈtaðjo ˈtʃiβas]), is a multipurpose stadium in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, that is used mostly for football matches. It is the home of Liga MX side C.D. Guadalajara. It is part of the JVC complex, and has a capacity of 48,071. Construction started in February 2004, but due to financial problems and other issues, the stadium's completion was delayed for a number of years.

Estadio Akron
Stadium's exterior
Former namesEstadio Omnilife (2010–16)
Estadio Chivas (2016–17)
LocationZapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
Coordinates20°40′54″N 103°27′46″W
OwnerAmaury Vergara
Executive suites315
Capacity48,071[1]
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundFebruary 2004
OpenedJuly 30, 2010
Construction costUS$200 million[2]
($268 million in 2022 dollars[3])
ArchitectConcept Design:
Jean Marie Massaud & Daniel Pouzet
Sports Architects:
Populous (formerly HOK Sport)
Architect of Record:
VFO architects
Tenants
C.D. Guadalajara (2010–present)
Website
estadioakron.mx

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 caused great controversy, drawing criticism from many notable players, and in May 2012, it was announced that the stadium would replace the artificial turf with natural grass. The stadium is also expected to host some matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[4]

History
Inaugural match of the Omnilife Stadium vs. Manchester United

In February 2004, C.D. Guadalajara announced that it would construct a new stadium of its own, intending to leave Estadio Jalisco.[5] Construction on the stadium did not begin until May 2007.[6]

The third 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.[7] This match was held to represent Hernández's transfer from Guadalajara to Manchester United, with Hernández playing the first half for Guadalajara and switching sides to Manchester United in the second half, thus symbolically sealing his transfer contract that had been signed in March 2010.[8]

The stadium hosted 8 matches of the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, including a semifinal, between Uruguay and Brazil.

It was also the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2011 Pan American Games, where it also hosted all the matches of both men's and women's football tournament.

In May 2012, following criticism regarding the artificial field, it was announced that the stadium would replace the artificial turf with natural grass.[9] The replacement was complete by July.[10]

In December 2017, the stadium changed its name from Estadio Omnilife to Estadio Akron, after signing a sponsorship deal with a car lubricants firm for 10 years.[11]

The venue hosted the Canelo Álvarez vs. John Ryder boxing fight in 2023.

The Weeknd is set to perform his After Hours til Dawn Tour on 25th October, 2023

2026 FIFA World Cup

Estadio Akron will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the event, the stadium will be temporarily renamed to "Estadio Guadalajara" in accordance with FIFA's policy on corporate sponsored names.[12]

International matches

Mexico national football team
Date Result Competition
4 September 2010Mexico 1–2 EcuadorFriendly

Images
side view

References
  1. "2026 FIFA World Cup Bid Book" (PDF). p. 178. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  2. "Las Chivas estrenan estadio con triunfo contra el Manchester" [Las Chivas premiere their new stadium with a triumph over Manchester] (in Spanish). El Mundo. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  3. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  4. Tovar, Sos (16 May 2012). "Chivas decide quitar el pasto artificial del estadio Omnilife" [Chivas decide to remove the artificial turf from Omnilife Stadium] (in Spanish). Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  5. Torres, José Antonio (6 February 2004). "Las Chivas tendrán nuevo estadio". La Nación (in Spanish).
  6. "Arranca la construcción del nuevo estadio de Chivas". 14 May 2007.
  7. "Las Chivas derrotan 3–2 al Manchester United" [Las Chivas defeat Manchester United 3–2]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Notimex. 30 July 2010. Archived from the original on August 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-30.
  8. Marshall, Tom (8 April 2010). "Manchester United to play Guadalajara at new stadium". Guadalajara Reporter. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  9. "Coyote aplaude el cambio de superficie". ESPN Deportes. 16 May 2012.
  10. "El Estadio Omnilife, listo con pasto natural". Medio Tiempo. 19 July 2012.
  11. ""Estadio Akron", el nuevo nombre de la casa de Chivas". Proceso (in Spanish). 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  12. "The FIFA World Cup 2026™ stadiums". FIFA. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Estadio Omnilife.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata (La Plata)
—————————————————————
Mineirão (Belo Horizonte)
 Copa Libertadores
Final Venues
2010
*
Estádio Beira-Rio (Porto Alegre)		 Succeeded by
TBA
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