The Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes,[2] formerly known as Estadio Córdoba,[2] is a stadium in the Chateau Carreras neighborhood of Córdoba, Argentina. Owned by the Córdoba Province, the venue is used mostly for association football and rugby union matches and also sometimes for athletics.
The stadium was built in 1976 in preparation for the 1978 FIFA World Cup, with a capacity for 37,851 spectators[2] although it doesn't provide seating for all of them, like many Argentine stadiums.
Most football teams in Córdoba have their own stadiums but they usually prefer playing in this stadium for its size and comfort, especially when playing important games that attract big crowds. Generally, this stadium is used for Talleres' matches, and is used for Belgrano's, Instituto's and Racing's matches. The Argentina national football team home matches have also been played here.
During 2010 and 2011 the stadium went through a remodelling process. The field was sunken 4 metres, the iconic Autotrol scoreboards installed for the 1978 World Cup were replaced with modern video screens, new stands were built to improve the poor view caused by the shallow shape of the stadium and the capacity was increased to 57,000, becoming the third largest stadium in Argentina by seating capacity. It was re-opened on 26 June 2011, just 5 days before the start of the 2011 Copa América. The stands were fully covered after the cup.
In October 2010 the name was changed to honour Mario Kempes, former Argentina national team player and top goal scorer of the 1978 FIFA World Cup, who was also a native of Córdoba.
History
The construction of the stadium was commissioned to "Sánchez Elía-Peralta Ramos" Architects studio of Buenos Aires, which then associated with architects of Córdoba to carry out the project. In 1976, the military government of Argentina led by Jorge Rafael Videla, created a self-governing entity ("EAM 78") that took over remodelation and construction of stadium and buildings for the 1978 FIFA World Cup that would be held in Argentina.[3]
The stadium was finally inaugurated on 16 May 1978, in a match where Argentina played a local combined. The first World Cup held in the Chateau Carreras stadium was the Peru 3 v Scotland 1, on 3 June.
In October 2010 the Legislature of Córdoba Province approved the change of name of the stadium to "Mario Alberto Kempes" to honor the former footballer born in the province.[6] That changed had been driven by local journalist Claudio Menditto on his article "A tribute for Matador", published in 2008.[7]
The Mario Kempes stadium was later refurbished in preparation for the 2011 Copa América, and inaugurated on 26 July 2011. Works included positioning of roof on grandstands, and an expansion to 57,000 spectators. Besides, all the lightning was renovated.
The stadium during a friendly between Argentina and Ghana in 2009. This picture was taken before its remodelling
The Mario Kempes Stadium hosted three Group B matches and a semi-final match during the 1987 Copa América; five group stage matches, two round of 16 matches, a quarter-final match and a semi-final match at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship and at the 2011 Copa America, the stadium hosted two Group B matches, one Group A match and a quarter-final match.
Mario Kempes Stadium has hosted several rugby union games of the Argentina national team. Likewise, Unión Cordobesa de Rugby used the stadium for defining instances of its annual championship, as well as its representative team played several matches against touring national sides.
The 1982 World Boxing Association world Super-Bantamweight title fight between champion Sergio Palma and former WBA world Bantamweight champion Jorge Luján was held there. The fight was won by Palma on a unanimous decision after 15 rounds.[15]
Facilities
Aerial view of the complete "Polo Deportivo Kempes" sports complex
The Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium is the center of a 40 hectares park and sports complex named Polo Deportivo Kempes, that includes the "Soledad García" provincial field hockey stadium, opened in 2012,[16] that honors the two times world champion Soledad García; an Olympic-size swimming pool, opened in 2014 and named after the olympic medallist Georgina Bardach;[17] an auxiliar field, located north of the main stadium, that hosts training and smaller football and rugby events; a BMX circuit, a running track, and basketball, volleyball and tennis facilities.[18]
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