 Balaídos in 2020 | |
 Interactive map of Balaídos Stadium | |
| Full name | Estadio Municipal de Balaídos |
|---|---|
| Former names | Stadium de Balaídos (1928–1946) |
| Address | Avenida de Balaídos, s/n 36210 Vigo, Pontevedra |
| Location | Vigo,Galicia, Spain |
| Coordinates | 42°12′42″N8°44′23″W / 42.2118°N 8.7397°W /42.2118; -8.7397 (Estadio Municipal de Balaídos) |
| Owner | Concello de Vigo |
| Operator | RC Celta Vigo |
| Capacity | 24,870[1] |
| Record attendance | 45,000 (Celta Vigo vsGetafe, 16 May 1982) |
| Field size | 105 m × 70 m (344 ft × 230 ft)[2] |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1925–1928 |
| Opened | 30 December 1928 (1928-12-30) |
| Renovated | 2004, 2015–2018, 2021–2023, 2025–present |
| Expanded | 1967, 1981–1982 |
| Architect | Jenaro de la Fuente |
| General contractor | Stadium de Balaídos, S.A. |
| Tenants | |
| RC Celta Vigo (1928–present) | |
TheBalaídos Stadium (Galician:Estadio Municipal de Balaídos;Galician pronunciation:[balaˈiðʊʃ]), known asEstadio Abanca Balaídos for sponsorship reasons,[3] is anall-seater stadium located inVigo, Spain. It is owned by the Vigo'scity council, and is the home ofLa Liga clubCelta Vigo. The stadium opened in 1928 and currently accommodates 24,870 spectators.[1]
In September 1924, a group of local businessmen took the first steps towards the construction of the stadium by buying the 75,000 m2 on which the stadium would be built. The first job they faced was diverting the Lagares river. Two years later, the businessmen founded the Stadium de Balaídos, S.A. company, which would carry out the actual construction work on the new stadium. The architect of the stadium was Jenaro de la Fuente.[2]
Balaídos was inaugurated on 30 December 1928. The stadium was blessed by thearchpriest of Fragoso, Father Faustino Ande.[4]
The inaugural match was played between the hosts, Celta Vigo, and theBasque teamReal Unión. The ceremonial kick-off was made by Carmen Gregorio-Espino, the daughter of former mayor Adolfo Gregorio Espino. Celta Vigo's Graciliano was the first player to score a goal in the new stadium, in a 7–0 win.
Balaídos underwent a large-scale renovation in preparation for the1982 FIFA World Cup; TheRio stand was completely re-built, theGol end was added to the stadium, and theTribuna andMarcador stands were renovated.
After finishing in fourth place in the2002–03 La Liga season,[5] Celta qualified for theUEFA Champions League for the first time in their history. Their celebrations were cut short when the stadium failed the subsequent UEFA stadium inspection required to host their fixtures.[6] It was briefly rumoured that Celta might have to play their home games at a different venue; however, the necessary upgrades were paid for by the local authorities.
At the beginning of 2015, the reconstruction of the stadium began, divided into four phases corresponding to the four stands of the venue. In the first phase of the project, the front part of theTribuna (North Stand) was moved three meters closer to the pitch, and the new changing rooms and private boxes were constructed. TheRio (South Stand) has been refurbished and includes new media facilities, and both stands also got new roofs.[6] The reconstruction of both stands was completed by 2018.[7] During the renovations, the stadium continued to host Celta's home matches.
TheMarcador (East Stand) was completely reconstructed by 2023 and accommodates 6,209 spectators.[8][9]
| Data | Opponent | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 April 1933 |  Portugal | 3–0 | Friendly match |
| 26 September 1979 | Portugal | 1–1 | Friendly match |
| 23 January 1980 |  Netherlands | 1–0 | Friendly match |
| 19 January 1994 | Portugal | 2–2 | Friendly match |
| 25 March 1998 |  Sweden | 4–0 | Friendly match |
| 13 November 1999 |  Brazil | 0–0 | Friendly match |
| 18 November 2014 |  Germany | 0–1 | Friendly match |
The stadium hosted threegroup matches at the1982 FIFA World Cup.
v
Poland| 14 June 1982 | Italy | 0–0 | Poland | Balaídos, Vigo |
| 17:15CEST | (Report) | Attendance: 33,000 Referee:Michel Vautrot (France) |
v
Peru| 18 June 1982 | Italy | 1–1 | Peru | Balaídos, Vigo |
| 17:15CEST | Conti 18' | (Report) | Díaz 83' | Attendance: 25,000 Referee:Walter Eschweiler (West Germany) |
v
Cameroon| 23 June 1982 | Italy | 1–1 | Cameroon | Balaídos, Vigo |
| 17:15CEST | Graziani 60' | (Report) | Mbida 61' | Attendance: 20,000 Referee:Bogdan Dotchev (Bulgaria) |
Balaídos has hosted concerts on several occasions.[10]
The first ever concert held at Balaídos took place on 26 August 1983, whenMiguel Ríos performed as part of hisEl Rock de una noche de verano tour. He was supported byRosendo Mercado's bandLeño, andLuz Casal.[11] On 29 July 1990, as part of herBlond Ambition World Tour,Madonna performed at the stadium withSiniestro Total as the opening act in front of 20,000 people.[12] Madonna sang several tracks while wearing Celta's shirt.[13][14]
In July 1992, Festival Afroamérica took place in Vigo for two days, and featured artist such asB.B. King,Celia Cruz,Dr. John,Gilberto Gil,Milton Nascimento,Tito Puente,Tracy Chapman andWilly Deville.[15] On 1 August 1992,Julio Iglesias performed in front of 12,000 spectators.[11] In the same month,Dire Straits performed in front of 40,000 spectators.[citation needed]
On 4 July 1998, A Roda, Astarot,Milladoiro andCarlos Santana performed in front of 12,000 spectators as part of Celta's 75th anniversary.[11] On 18 July 1998, as part of theBridges to Babylon Tour,The Rolling Stones performed in front of a crowd of 35,000.[16]
On 21 July 2001,Alejandro Sanz performed in front of 15,000 spectators.[citation needed] On 10 September 2022, British bandMuse performed at the stadium, withThe Killer Barbies andYears & Years as opening acts, in front of 17,000 spectators.[17] The concert was part of several performances organized byXunta de Galicia acrossthe autonomous community.[18]
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1982 FIFA World Cup stadiums | ||
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