Estadio Jalisco - Atlas & U de G Stadium Guide

The stadium was officially inaugurated on 24th January 1959 when the Catholic Archbishop of Guadalajara, Cardinal José Garibi Rivera blessed the premises however the inaugural match was played almost a year later on 31st January 1960. The first match was played between Club Atlas and Argentinian side San Lorenzo de Almagro, and attracted a crowd of 50,000.

Designed by local company Constructora Jalisco S.A. de C.V, the stadium took over six years to complete from the 8th October 1954 when the city of Guadalajara officially granted planning permission. Initially costing $18 million S Dollars,  and used by both local football teams, Club Atlas and Club Universidad, Estadio Jalisco was a relative bargain compared to some football grounds.

Extensively renovated to host matches of the 1970 World Cup, the capacity was expanded to 71,000 which made it the second largest venue of the tournament, behind Estadio Azteca (107,247) and ahead of Estadio Cuauhtémoc (36,000). In total Jalisco hosted six group matches, a quarter final and semi-final with the majority of these matches featuring eventual winners Brazil.

Likewise for the 1986 World Cup, Estadio Jalisco was also allocated as the home of Brazil, and it hosted all three of the South American’s matches. Once again modernised in anticipation of the World Cup, this time Jalisco was one of twelve stadiums, and it was replaced by Estadio Olimpico Universitario as the second largest ground by capacity.

After occupying the stadium for 50 years, Guadalajara moved to their own purpose-built football ground, Estadio Omnilife, in 2010. The upkeep of the stadium is now divided amongst the two remaining clubs, and the local municipal council.

Estadio Jalisco is comprised of four stands: North, East, South and West.

Click the thumbnails above to enlarge an image of each stand and to read a more detailed description of each part of the Stadium.