Estadio José Amalfitani
Encyclopedia
The Estadio José Amalfitani
(in English: José Amalfitani stadium) is a stadium
located in the Liniers
neighbourhood of Buenos Aires
, Argentina
. The venue is mainly used for football matches and is the home of the Argentine Primera División club Vélez Sársfield
. The stadium is nicknamed El Fortín (in English: "The Small Fort") or El Fortín de Liniers ("The Small Fort of Liniers"). Alternatively, it is also called Vélez Sarsfield Stadium.
The stadium was built between 1941 and 1943 in wood, and rebuild in cement between 1947 and 1951. 27 years later, it was expanded in preparation for the 1978 FIFA World Cup
. The José Amalfitani has capacity for 49,540 spectators, although it does not provide seating for all of them like most Argentine stadiums.
The Estadio José Amalfitani is also the national stadium
for the Argentine rugby union national team
(a.k.a. Los Pumas). Although the team plays test matches throughout the country, their highest-profile tests are usually held here.
played their home matches in a rented ground on the Villa Luro
neighbourhood. The original ground was the one that earned the nickname El Fortín in 1932, for the team's strength playing at home.
After suffering relegation
from the Argentine Primera División in 1940, Vélez was sacked from the Villa Luro ground they were renting. Three years later, in 1941, the club obtained the terrain of the current stadium, property of the Buenos Aires Western Railway
. The ground was a swamp of the Maldonado Stream
, where construction was difficult. However, the club's president José Amalfitani
led the construction, which was terminated in 1943. The new stadium used the same wood stands from the old Villa Luro stadium, and was inaugurated in a 2–2 draw with River Plate
. Vélez striker Juan José Ferraro scored the first goal in the stadium's history (the others were scored by Ángel Fernández for Vélez and Adolfo Pedernera
twice for River).
In 1947, the club started to rebuild the stadium in cement, finishing the construction in 1951. On April 22 of that year, Vélez re inaugurated the stadium in a 2–0 win over Huracán
(goals by Raúl Nápoli).
On December 6, 1968, the club inaugurated the new lighting system in a 2–2 draw against Pelé
's Santos
.
, who had taken power in a coup, established the Autarkic Entity World Cup '78, which was responsible for the refurbishment of the stadiums designated to host the 1978 FIFA World Cup
. The Estadio José Amalfitani was remodeled, according to the requirements of FIFA
, to be the secondary venue of Buenos Aires (behind River's Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
).
The José Amalfitani hosted three matches of the 1978 World Cup and seven matches, including the final, of the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
.
performed 3 shows during the "South America Bites the Dust" leg of The Game Tour
in 1981. Diego Maradona
went on stage with the band, shortly before "Another One Bites the Dust
".
Iron Maiden
performed the sold out venue in 1998, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2011. Last time (2011) show was recorded live for further DVD release.
Pope John Paul II
celebrated a Mass at the stadium on April 10, 1987.
Depeche Mode
performed at the stadium on April 4, 1994 during their The Exotic Tour.
The prestigious hard rock
and blues
-based band Aerosmith
performed at the stadium on November 18 and 19, 1994 during their Get a Grip Tour
.
Linkin Park
performed at the stadium on October 7, 2010 during their A Thousand Suns World Tour
.
José Amalfitani
José Amalfitani , nicknamed Don Pepe , was an Argentine construction manager, sports journalist and association football executive who was chairman of the club Vélez Sársfield for 30 years...
(in English: José Amalfitani stadium) is a stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
located in the Liniers
Liniers
Liniers is a barrio of Buenos Aires on the edge of the city, centered on Rivadavia Avenue. It is also an important train station and bus hub, connecting western Gran Buenos Aires with the Buenos Aires Metro...
neighbourhood of Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. The venue is mainly used for football matches and is the home of the Argentine Primera División club Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...
. The stadium is nicknamed El Fortín (in English: "The Small Fort") or El Fortín de Liniers ("The Small Fort of Liniers"). Alternatively, it is also called Vélez Sarsfield Stadium.
The stadium was built between 1941 and 1943 in wood, and rebuild in cement between 1947 and 1951. 27 years later, it was expanded in preparation for the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
. The José Amalfitani has capacity for 49,540 spectators, although it does not provide seating for all of them like most Argentine stadiums.
The Estadio José Amalfitani is also the national stadium
National stadium
Many countries have a national football stadium, which typically serves as the primary or exclusive home for one or more of a country's national representative sports teams. The term is most often used in reference to an association football stadium. Usually, a national stadium will be in or very...
for the Argentine rugby union national team
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
(a.k.a. Los Pumas). Although the team plays test matches throughout the country, their highest-profile tests are usually held here.
Foundation and early remodelling
Before buying the terrain to build the stadium, Vélez SársfieldClub Atlético Vélez Sársfield
Club Atlético Vélez Sársfield is a sports club based in the Liniers neighborhood of western Buenos Aires, Argentina. Vélez is best known for its football team, that plays in the Argentine Primera División, the top level of the Argentine league system...
played their home matches in a rented ground on the Villa Luro
Villa Luro
Villa Luro is a barrio of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It is located in the western part of Capital Federal.The district owes its name to Dr. Pedro Luro, a prominent local physician and real-estate developer who, during the 1870s, sold most of his property in the area as residential lots.-External...
neighbourhood. The original ground was the one that earned the nickname El Fortín in 1932, for the team's strength playing at home.
After suffering relegation
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
from the Argentine Primera División in 1940, Vélez was sacked from the Villa Luro ground they were renting. Three years later, in 1941, the club obtained the terrain of the current stadium, property of the Buenos Aires Western Railway
Buenos Aires Western Railway
The Buenos Aires Western Railway was one of the Big Four broad gauge British-owned companies that built and operated railway networks in Argentina...
. The ground was a swamp of the Maldonado Stream
Maldonado Stream
The Maldonado Stream, is an underground stream in the city Buenos Aires, Argentina, that runs below Juan B. Justo Ave., and goes through 10 of the 47 barrios of the city: Versalles, Liniers, Villa Luro, Vélez Sarsfield, Floresta, Villa Santa Rita, Villa Mitre, Caballito, Villa Crespo and...
, where construction was difficult. However, the club's president José Amalfitani
José Amalfitani
José Amalfitani , nicknamed Don Pepe , was an Argentine construction manager, sports journalist and association football executive who was chairman of the club Vélez Sársfield for 30 years...
led the construction, which was terminated in 1943. The new stadium used the same wood stands from the old Villa Luro stadium, and was inaugurated in a 2–2 draw with River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate
Club Atlético River Plate is an Argentine sports club based in the Nuñez neighborhood of Buenos Aires. It is best known for its professional football team, which currently competes in Nacional B, the second tier of Argentine football....
. Vélez striker Juan José Ferraro scored the first goal in the stadium's history (the others were scored by Ángel Fernández for Vélez and Adolfo Pedernera
Adolfo Pedernera
Adolfo Alfredo Pedernera , born in Avellaneda, Argentina, was a football player and coach. Nicknamed "El Maestro" , He is still considered by many to be one of the greatest Argentine players of all-time. He was elected the 12th best South american footballer of the 20th century in a poll by the...
twice for River).
In 1947, the club started to rebuild the stadium in cement, finishing the construction in 1951. On April 22 of that year, Vélez re inaugurated the stadium in a 2–0 win over Huracán
Club Atlético Huracán
Club Atlético Huracán is a sports club from the Parque Patricios neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The football team currently plays in the Primera B Nacional, the second level of the Argentine football league system. Huracán home stadium is the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó.Huracán was...
(goals by Raúl Nápoli).
On December 6, 1968, the club inaugurated the new lighting system in a 2–2 draw against Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
's Santos
Santos Futebol Clube
Santos Futebol Clube is a Brazilian professional football club based in Santos, São Paulo They play in the Campeonato Paulista and the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the highest professional leagues in São Paulo state and Brazil, respectively....
.
1978 World Cup
In 1976, the military junta led by Lieutenant General Jorge Rafael VidelaJorge Rafael Videla
Jorge Rafael Videla Redondo is a former senior commander in the Argentine Army who was the de facto President of Argentina from 1976 to 1981. He came to power in a coup d'état that deposed Isabel Martínez de Perón...
, who had taken power in a coup, established the Autarkic Entity World Cup '78, which was responsible for the refurbishment of the stadiums designated to host the 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
. The Estadio José Amalfitani was remodeled, according to the requirements of FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, to be the secondary venue of Buenos Aires (behind River's Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, is a stadium in the Belgrano district of Buenos Aires, Argentina at the intersection of Figueroa Alcorta and Udaondo. It is the home venue of Club Atlético River Plate and is named after former club president Antonio Vespucio Liberti...
).
The José Amalfitani hosted three matches of the 1978 World Cup and seven matches, including the final, of the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Argentina between June 17 and July 8, 2001. The 2001 championship was the 13th contested. The tournament took part in six cities, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, Salta, and Mar del Plata...
.
Notable events
QueenQueen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
performed 3 shows during the "South America Bites the Dust" leg of The Game Tour
The Game Tour
The Game Tour was a concert tour by the English rock band Queen to support their successful 1980 album The Game. This tour saw the band being the first to play in South American stadiums in early 1981. In Buenos Aires, Queen drew a crowd of 300,000—the largest single concert crowd in Argentine...
in 1981. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
went on stage with the band, shortly before "Another One Bites the Dust
Another One Bites the Dust
"Another One Bites the Dust" is a song by the English rock band Queen. Written by bass guitarist John Deacon, the song featured on the group's eighth studio album The Game . The song was a worldwide hit, charting number one on the United States Billboard Hot 100, number two on the R&B charts and...
".
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
performed the sold out venue in 1998, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2011. Last time (2011) show was recorded live for further DVD release.
Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
celebrated a Mass at the stadium on April 10, 1987.
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
performed at the stadium on April 4, 1994 during their The Exotic Tour.
The prestigious hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
-based band Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
performed at the stadium on November 18 and 19, 1994 during their Get a Grip Tour
Get a Grip Tour
The Get a Grip Tour was a concert tour by American hard rock band Aerosmith that lasted over eighteen months, from early June 1993 to mid-December 1994...
.
Linkin Park
Linkin Park
Linkin Park is an American rock band from Agoura Hills, California. Formed in 1996, the band rose to international fame with their debut album, Hybrid Theory, which was certified Diamond by the RIAA in 2005 and multi-platinum in several other countries...
performed at the stadium on October 7, 2010 during their A Thousand Suns World Tour
A Thousand Suns World Tour
A Thousand Suns World Tour was a worldwide concert tour by American rock band Linkin Park. The tour supported the band's fourth studio album A Thousand Suns. The tour ranked 35th in Pollstar's "Top 50 Worldwide Tour ", earning over 20 million dollars.-Background:Linkin Park announced their upcoming...
.