| Estadio Malvinas Argentinas | |
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| Former names | Estadio Ciudad de Mendoza |
|---|---|
| Address | Bajada del Cerro s/n Mendoza Argentina |
| Owner | Government of Mendoza |
| Capacity | 42,000[2] |
| Field size | 105 x 70 m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Current use |
|
| Construction | |
| Built | 1976–1978 |
| Opened | 14 May 1978; 46 years ago (1978-05-14) |
| Architect | Rafael Viñoly[1] |
| Tenants | |
| |
| Website | |
| mendoza.gov.ar/estadio | |
Malvinas Argentinas Stadium (Spanish:Estadio Malvinas Argentinas) is astadium in the city ofMendoza in thehomonymous province of Argentina. With a seating capacity of 42,000 spectators, the stadium is the largest in Mendoza. Built for the1978 FIFA World Cup, It is owned and administered by theProvincial Government.[1]
The venue is mostly used forassociation football matches, although it has hosted somerugby union games duringThe Rugby Championship, as well as music concerts.[3][1] In Primera División matches, local clubGodoy Cruz plays their home matches at Malvinas Argentinas in some occasions.
Argentina was chosen as the host nation of the1978 World Cup by FIFA in London, England on 6 July 1966. Mendoza, as one of the largest cities in the country, was selected as a venue. The organizing committee, under supervision of themilitary dictatorship that had ruled Argentina since1976, proposed a new stadium to be built by theCerro de la Gloria, inGeneral San Martín Park, taking advantage of the topography of a natural depression located on the slopes of the hill. Beside the stadium itself, the project included new access roads, parking lots, a training auxiliar field and other complementary works.
The stadium was designed by Uruguayan Rafael Viñoly,[1] and its construction began in 1976. Originally named "Estadio Ciudad de Mendoza" ("City of Mendoza Stadium") it was opened on 14 May 1978 with a friendly match between a team formed by players fromMendoza and another one with players fromSan Rafael.[1] During June 1978, Mendoza hosted six Fifa World Cup matches, threefirst round matches and threesecond round matches. That same yearGimnasia y Esgrima de Mendoza became the first team from Mendoza to play afirst division match at the stadium. Other teams from Mendoza that have reached the first division and used the Malvinas Argentinas as a home stadium since areIndependiente Rivadavia, Huracán Las Heras,San Martín de Mendoza, andGodoy Cruz.
After the 1982Falklands War, the stadium was renamed "Estadio Malvinas Argentinas". The new name reflects Argentina's disputed claims ofsovereignty over theFalkland Islands (Islas Malvinas in Spanish).
During the1993–94 Primera División seasonArgentinos Juniors, original fromBuenos Aires, played their home matches in Malvinas Argentinas stadium after an agreement signed with sports communications companyTorneos y Competencias. TyC offered Argentinos Juniors (which had serious financial problems in those times) to hire several players loaning them to the club. In return, Argentinos had to move to Mendoza to play their home games so TyC considered there were more supporters in that Province than in Buenos Aires. Nevertheless, things do not work out as expected and the experience was unsuccessful with low attendances and money losses.[4][5]
In 1994, Mendoza started hosting the annualTorneos de Verano (Summer Tournaments), hosting several editions of the competition. In2011,Godoy Cruz qualified for theCopa Libertadores and the stadium hosted for the first time an international club competition. The Mendocenean club qualified to the most important continental tournament once again in2012 and took part of the2011 and2014 Copa Sudamericana; Godoy Cruz has played all of its home matches for international competitions at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium. In the 2016–17 season, Godoy Cruz drew an average home league attendance of 16,000.
The stadium was renovated for the2011 Copa América held in Argentina. Among other works during the renovation all the seats were replaced, the bathrooms were reconstructed, the roof of the stadium was repaired and a new 128 m2 LED screen was installed, being during that time the largest of its kind in South America.[6]
The stadium was built for the1978 FIFA World Cup and during June 1978 Mendoza it hosted six matches, threegroup 4 matches and threesecond round matches.
| Date | Time(UTC-03) | Round | Group | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 June | 16:45 | 1 | Group 4 |  Netherlands | 3–0 |  Iran | 33,431 |
| 7 June | Netherlands | 0–0 |  Peru | 28,125 | |||
| 11 June |  Scotland | 3–2 | Netherlands | 35,130 | |||
| 14 June | 16:45 | 2 | Group B | Peru | 0–3 |  Brazil | 31,278 |
| 18 June | 13:45 | Peru | 0–1 |  Poland | 35,288 | ||
| 21 June | 16:45 | Brazil | 3–1 | Poland | 39,586 |
Apart from the1978 FIFA World Cup, Malvinas Argentinas stadium has hosted several sporting events, being one of the venues for the2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, the2011 Copa América and the2013 South American Youth Football Championship.
TheArgentina national football team has played several friendly matches in Mendoza but only one official match: it was on 2012 againstUruguay for the2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.[7]
Local teamGodoy Cruz used the Malvinas Argentinas as venue during their home matches in the2011 and2017Copa Libertadores,[8] and2011 Copa Sudamericana.[9] The stadium also hosted severalCopa Argentina matches, and the2017 Supercopa Argentina.[10][11]
Estadio Malvinas Argentinas has hosted severalrugby union games, most of themArgentina tests and someCuyo RU team against touring sides.
On the other hand, the final and 3rd place match of the2005 Under 21 Rugby World Championship were played at this stadium, while the rest of the tournament was held in smaller different stadiums of Mendoza province.
| Date | Event | Home team | Score | Away team | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jun 1985 | 1985 France tour | Cuyo RU | 6–64 |  France | [12] |
| 17 Oct 1987 | 1987 Australia tour | Cuyo RU | 3–40 |  Australia | [13] |
| 9 Jun 2007 | 2007 Italy tour |  Argentina | 24–6 |  Italy | [14] |
| 25 Aug 2012 | 2012 Rugby Championship | Argentina | 16–16 |  South Africa | [15] |
| 24 Aug 2013 | 2013 Rugby Championship | Argentina | 17–22 | South Africa | [16] |
| 4 Oct 2014 | 2014 Rugby Championship | Argentina | 21–17 | Australia | [17] |
| 25 Jul 2015 | 2015 Rugby Championship | Argentina | 9–34 | Australia | [18] |
| 10 Jun 2017 | 2017 England tour | Argentina | 34–38 |  England | [19] |
| 7 Oct 2017 | 2017 Rugby Championship | Argentina | 20–37 | Australia | [20] |
| 25 Aug 2018 | 2018 Rugby Championship | Argentina | 32–19 | South Africa | [21] |
| 13 Aug 2022 | 2022 Rugby Championship | Argentina | 26–41 | Australia | [22] |
| 6 Jul 2024 | 2024 France tour | Argentina | – | France | [23][24][25] |
The stadium played host toAmnesty International'sHuman Rights Now! Benefit Concert on October 14, 1988. The show was headlined bySting andPeter Gabriel and also featuredBruce Springsteen & TheE Street Band,Tracy Chapman andYoussou N'Dour.[3]
Other artists that have played at the Malvinas Argentinas areSoda Stereo (1989),[26]Fito Páez (1989),[27]Luis Miguel (1999),[27]Charly García (2000),[28]Divididos (2003),[27]Ricky Martin (2007),[27]Joaquín Sabina withJoan Manuel Serrat (2007),[29]Chayanne (2007),[30]Maná (2011),[31] andRicardo Arjona (2014),[32]
The main event of the 2012Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia was held at this stadium.[1]
| Preceded by (various venues in Germany) | FIFA World Cup Venue 1978 | Succeeded by (various venues in Spain) |
| Preceded by various venues in Nigeria | FIFA U-20 World Cup Venue 2001 | Succeeded by various venues in United Arab Emirates |
| Preceded by (various venues in Venezuela) | Copa América Venue 2011 | Succeeded by (various venues in Chile) |
| Preceded by various venues in Poland | FIFA U-20 World Cup Venue 2023 | Succeeded by TBD |
32°53′23″S68°52′48″W / 32.88972°S 68.88000°W /-32.88972; -68.88000
