Estadio Akron
Estadio Guadalajara
Guadalajara Stadium
Interior view of the stadium
Map
Interactive map of Estadio Akron
Estadio Guadalajara
Guadalajara Stadium
Former names
Estadio Omnilife (2010–16)
Estadio Chivas (2016–17)
Location Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico
Coordinates 20°40′54″N 103°27′46″W / 20.68167°N 103.46278°W / 20.68167; -103.46278
Elevation 1,670 meters[1]
Owner Amaury Vergara
Capacity 49,813[4]
Executive suites
133
Surface Grass
Public transit Estadio Chivas
Construction
Groundbreaking February 2004
Opened 30 July 2010
Cost
US$200 million[2]
($295 million in 2025 dollars[3])
Architect Concept Design:
Jean Marie Massaud & Daniel Pouzet
Sports Architects:
Populous (formerly HOK Sport)
Architect of Record:
VFO architects
Tenants
C.D. Guadalajara (2010–present)
Mexico national football team (selected matches)
Website
estadioakron.mx

Estadio Akron, currently known as Estadio Guadalajara for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and formerly known as Estadio Omnilife and Estadio Chivas (Estadio Chivas, Spanish pronunciation: [esˈtaðjo ˈtʃiβas]), is a multipurpose stadium in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, that is used mostly for football matches. It is the home of Liga MX side Guadalajara. The stadium is named for Grupo Akron, a Mexican lubricant and fuel company.

The stadium hosted its first major international event with the first leg of the 2010 Finals of the Copa Libertadores, and hosted the 2011 Pan American Games opening and closing ceremonies. The stadium's artificial field caused great controversy, drawing criticism from many notable players, and in May 2012, it was announced that the stadium would replace the artificial turf with natural grass.[5] The stadium hosted the second game of the 2026 Fifa World Cup which was South Korea national football team vs Czech Republic national football team .[6]

History

Inaugural match of the Omnilife Stadium vs. Manchester United

In February 2004, C.D. Guadalajara announced that it would construct a new stadium of its own, intending to leave Estadio Jalisco.[7] Construction on the stadium did not begin until May 2007.[8]

The third public football match at the stadium was a friendly between Guadalajara and Manchester United on 30 July 2010. Guadalajara won the game 3–2, with the first goal at the stadium scored by Javier "Chicharito" Hernández playing for Guadalajara.[9] This match was held to represent Hernández's transfer from Guadalajara to Manchester United, with Hernández playing the first half for Guadalajara and switching sides to Manchester United in the second half, thus symbolically sealing his transfer contract that had been signed in March 2010.[10]

The stadium hosted eight matches of the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, including a semifinal, between Uruguay and Brazil.

It was also the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2011 Pan American Games, where it also hosted all the matches of both men's and women's football tournament.

In May 2012, following criticism regarding the artificial field, it was announced that the stadium would replace the artificial turf with natural grass.[11] The replacement was complete by July.[12]

In December 2017, the stadium changed its name from Estadio Omnilife to Estadio Akron, after signing a sponsorship deal with a car lubricants firm for 10 years.[13]

The venue hosted the Canelo Álvarez vs. John Ryder boxing fight in 2023.

The Weeknd performed during his After Hours til Dawn Tour on 25 October 2023.

Shakira performed during her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour on 16 and 17 March 2025.

2026 FIFA World Cup

Estadio Akron will host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the event, the stadium will be temporarily renamed to "Estadio Guadalajara" in accordance with FIFA's policy on corporate sponsored names.[14] The stadium will host four matches, all in the group stage, including Mexico's second game.[15] The venue will also host Pathway 1 of the inter-confederation play-offs.

International matches

Mexico national football team

Date Team #1 Result Team #2 Competition
4 September 2010 Mexico  1–2  Ecuador Friendly
15 October 2024 Mexico  2–0  United States
14 October 2025 Mexico  1–1  Ecuador
18 June 2026 Mexico  Match 28  South Korea 2026 FIFA World Cup

2026 FIFA World Cup inter-confederation play-offs

Date Time Team #1 Result Team #2 Attendance
26 March 2026 21:00 New Caledonia  0–1  Jamaica 40,983
31 March 2026 15:00 DR Congo  1–0 (a.e.t.)  Jamaica 39,983

2026 FIFA World Cup

# Date Time Team #1 Result Team #2 Group Attendance
2 11 June 2026 20:00 South Korea  2–1  Czech Republic Group A 44,985
28 18 June 2026 19:00 Mexico   South Korea Group A
48 23 June 2026 20:00 Colombia   DR Congo Group K
66 26 June 2026 18:00 Uruguay   Spain Group H

Images

Side view of the stadium

References

  1. ^ "What is my elevation".
  2. ^ "Las Chivas estrenan estadio con triunfo contra el Manchester" [Las Chivas premiere their new stadium with a triumph over Manchester] (in Spanish). El Mundo. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  3. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  4. ^ "2026 FIFA World Cup Bid Book" (PDF). p. 178. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  5. ^ Tovar, Sos (16 May 2012). "Chivas decide quitar el pasto artificial del estadio Omnilife" [Chivas decide to remove the artificial turf from Omnilife Stadium] (in Spanish). Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  6. ^ {{cite web|title=https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums
  7. ^ Torres, José Antonio (6 February 2004). "Las Chivas tendrán nuevo estadio". La Nación (in Spanish).
  8. ^ "Arranca la construcción del nuevo estadio de Chivas". 14 May 2007.
  9. ^ "Las Chivas derrotan 3–2 al Manchester United" [Las Chivas defeat Manchester United 3–2]. La Jornada (in Spanish). Notimex. 30 July 2010. Archived from the original on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2010.
  10. ^ Marshall, Tom (8 April 2010). "Manchester United to play Guadalajara at new stadium". Guadalajara Reporter. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2010.
  11. ^ "Coyote aplaude el cambio de superficie". ESPN Deportes. 16 May 2012.
  12. ^ "El Estadio Omnilife, listo con pasto natural". Medio Tiempo. 19 July 2012.
  13. ^ ""Estadio Akron", el nuevo nombre de la casa de Chivas". Proceso (in Spanish). 15 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  14. ^ "The FIFA World Cup 2026™ stadiums". FIFA. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  15. ^ Bushnell, Henry (4 February 2024). "2026 World Cup schedule reveal: FIFA picks New York for final, Mexico for opener, West Coast for USMNT". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata (La Plata)
—————————————————————
Mineirão (Belo Horizonte)
Copa Libertadores
Final Venues

2010
*
Estádio Beira-Rio (Porto Alegre)
Succeeded by
TBA