Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti

Lore & Background

The Club Atlético River Plate was founded in 1901. On 31 October 1934, River Plate purchased the land where the club was to build the new stadium in the neighbourhood of Belgrano. El Monumental was built on land reclaimed from the marshy coast of Río de la Plata. On 25 May 1935, the cornerstone was laid. On 27 September 1936, construction began under the direction of architects José Aslan and Héctor Ezcurra. The initial cost was $4,479,545.80, but was reduced to about 3 million dollars when the committee decided to halt construction of the north end due to lack of funds. The stadium was inaugurated on Wednesday 26 May 1938. It was the main venue in the 1951 Pan American Games. It hosted the 1978 FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and the Netherlands. It has also hosted four finals of the Copa América, most recently in 2011, as well as many finals of the Copa Libertadores. The stadium was redeveloped from 2020 to 2023, removing the athletic track and adding more seats. The stadium partially reopened in February 2023. In 2022, the stadium's naming rights were purchased by supermarket chain ChangoMâs. In January 2026, it was announced that the stadium would undergo an expansion to increase capacity to 101,000, including a roof, estimated to take around 36 months and cost around $100 million.

In Their Own Story

As the clock nears full time on a decisive night, the stadium vibrates with the low hum of eighty thousand souls. The air is thick with the scent of grilled beef and smoke, while a sea of white and sky blue ripples in unison beneath the open Argentine sky. Up in the stands, generations stand shoulder to shoulder; the ghosts of 1978 feel present alongside today's heroes. In that suspended second before the whistle, history feels tangible, waiting for one final play to etch another chapter into the hallowed turf.

Reader's Guide

The Estadio Monumental is the home ground of River Plate and the Argentina national football team. It hosted matches of the 1978 FIFA World Cup, including the final. It also hosts rugby union test matches for the Argentina national rugby union team occasionally. Concerts by international artists are frequently held here. The stadium has a capacity of 85,018 (though a later passage states 84,567; the source contradicts itself on this point).

Did You Know?

• The stadium was originally designed with four double-decker stands but was left with a horseshoe shape due to insufficient funds.
• The horseshoe was partially enclosed in 1958, financed by the transfer of Omar Sivori to Juventus.
• San Lorenzo brought more than 70,000 people to the stadium for a second division match in 1982.
• Argentina lost 5–0 to Colombia here in a 1994 World Cup qualifier, its greatest ever home defeat.
• The total length of seating in the stands is over 70 kilometers.