El Monumental

El Monumental (the Monumental)
Full name	Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
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	57,921[1]
Field dimensions	105 x 70 m
Tenants
Argentina Club Atlético River Plate

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.

[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 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.

[edit] Concerts

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.

International acts that played the stadium includes AC/DC, Aerosmith, Alejandro Sanz, Backstreet Boys, Black Sabbath, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Evanescence, Franz Ferdinand, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden, Keane, Kiss, Korn, Madonna, Metallica, Michael Jackson, Oasis, Ozzy Osbourne, Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rod Stewart, Roger Waters, Shakira, Slayer, The Police, The Ramones, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, U2, Velvet Revolver, have played here, among others.

National acts that played the stadium includes Soda Stereo, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Los Piojos and Bersuit Vergabarat.

Madonna performed 4 sold-out concerts in December 2008 as part of her Sticky & Sweet Tour: during two 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 65,000 tickets sold.

AC/DC will have three shows here in late 2009 on their Black Ice World Tour and they will capture them on film Black Ice World Tour DVD.

Soda Stereo holds the record for the highest number of concerts in the stadium. The band played six sold out concerts in 2007 as part of their Me Veras Volver reunion tour.

Panoramic view from inside the stadium. River Plate played Independiente in the Apertura 2004, Round 16. River Plate won 3-0.

[edit] 1978 FIFA World Cup

Entrance to the locker room.

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
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] References

[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)

Coordinates: 34°32′43.15″S 58°26′59.05″W / 34.5453194°S 58.4497361°W / -34.5453194; -58.4497361