Guide to Colombian Football StadiumsMany Colombian football stadiums saw a dramatic improvement prior to the Under-20 World Cup held in Colombian in 2011. Although the majority of stadiums still retain an unsightly running track around the pitch, the facilities and sight lines in most of the larger stadiums are reasonable.Prices are cheap compared to those in Europe. The terraces located behind the goals are the cheapest, but one or both are usually populated by the die-hard supporter groups known as Barras Bravas. The stands at the sides of the pitch are slightly more expensive (usually one more than the other). Very few seats in Colombian football stadiums are numbered which means arriving early for big games if you want to get a good spot. Queues can often be long and slow moving outside the grounds on clasico (derby) day. Colombian football stadiums divided by city:
Nenemsio Camacho El CampinLocation: Carrera 30 with calle 57Opened: 1938 Capacity: 42,000
During clasicos (derby matches) the diehard Millonarios fans, known as Los Comandos Azules, take the northern section of the ground and the Santa Fe fans, La Guardia Albi Roja Sur, occupy the south.
Estadio Metropolitano de TechoLocation: Calle 193 Nº 38 - 20Opened: 1959 Capacity: 10,000 Metropolitano de Techo stadium is a small, relatively new stadium located in the south of the city near Transmilenio station Mundo Aventura. Since 2007 it has been home to Bogota team La Equidad Seguros. Medellin
Estadio Atanasio GiradotLocation: Crr 70 nr Metro station EstadioOpened: 1953 Capacity: 45,000
Unlike most large Colombian football stadiums the Atanasio Giradot is mostly uncovered (only the Occidental terrace has a roof). The lack of shade can be a bit of a problem on a hot sunny day, particularly in the Oriental stand towards which the shine shines directly in the afternoon. The stadium is used by Medellin's two big football clubs; Atletico Nacional and Deportivo Independiente Medellin. Nacional's Barra Brava, known as Los Del Sur, occupy the south terrace while La Resistencia of Deportivo Independiente Medellin take the north.
Estadio Polideportivo SurLocation: South-west EnvigadoOpened: 1992 Capacity: 14,000 Polideportivo Sur stadium is located in the town of Envigado, just south of Medellin and is about a fifteen minute walk from the Envigado Metro station. The stadium is used by Envigado Football Club.
Estadio DitairesLocation: ItaguiOpened: 1994 Capacity: 12,000 Ditaires stadium is a small ground in the town of Itagui to the south of Medellin. To get there take the Mero to Itagui station and catch a bus or taxi (about 15 minutes). Ditaires stadium is home to Itagui Football Club. Cali
Estadio Pascual GuerreroLocation: San FernandoOpened: 1937 Capacity: 33,000
It is the home of America de Cali whose Barra Brava, Baron Rojo Sur, is located in the south stand. The ground was previously shared with Deportivo Cali until they moved to their new home, Estadio Deportivo Cali, in nearby Palmira in 2010.
Estadio Deportivo CaliLocation: Near PalmiraOpened: 2010 Capacity: 52,000 Deportivo Cali stadium has the largest capacity of any stadium in Colombia, since the capacity of the Estadio Metropolitano in Barranquilla has been reduced from 60,000 down to 49,612. It is the first Colombian stadium to be built and owned by a club. It is located just outside the town of Palmira about 15km from Cali. Barranquilla
Estadio MetropolitanoLocation: In the south of BarranquillaOpened: 1986 Capacity: 49,612
The venue remains one of the biggest Colombian football stadiums. In 2011 the capacity of the Metropolitano stadium was reduced from 60,000 to 49,612 in order to comply with FIFA regulations for the staging of the 2011 Under-20 World Cup. The Metropolitano stadium is home to Atletico Junior. Junior's fanatics go by the name of Frente Rojiblanco Sur and occupy the south terrace. Cartagena
Estadio Jaime MoronLocation: Olaya Herrera neighbourhoodOpened: 1958 Capacity: 17,000
The stadium is home to Real Cartagena whole Barra Brava Rebelion Auriverde Norte take the north stand. Manizales
Estadio PalograndeLocation: In the East of ManizalesOpened: 1994 Capacity: 42,000
The Palogrande stadium is home to local club Once Caldas who famously won the Copa Libertadores here in 2004 after beating Argentine side Boca Juniors on penalties in the final. The Once Caldas Barra Brava is known as Holocausto Norte and occupy the north terrace with the visiting supporters situated in a corner of the south terrace. Pereira
Estadio Hernan Ramirez VillegasLocation: La Villa, South PereiraOpened: 1971 Capacity: 32,000
The Hernan Ramirez Villegas stadium is used by Deportivo Pereira. The Pereira supporters group Lobo Sur occupy the south stand with the visitors in the north. Armenia
Estadio CentenarioLocation: In the south of ArmeniaOpened: 1988 Capacity: 22,000
The Centenario stadium is used by Armenia side Deportes Quindio whose Barra Brava Artilleria Verde Sur take the south stand. Cucuta
Estadio General SantanderLocation: Central CucutaOpened: 1948 Capacity: 42,000 The General Santander stadium of Cucuta has a slightly weary look. Nevertheless it is one of the larger Colombian football stadiums with a capacity of around 42,000 and when full can generate a quite intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams. The General Santander stadium is home to Cucuta Deportivo and played host to the teams remarkable run in the Copa Libertadores of 2007 in which they reached the semi-final beating Boca Juniors 3-1 in the first leg in Cucuta only to lose 3-0 in the controversial return leg in Buenos Aires. Cucuta's Barra Bravas are known as La Banda del Indio and Trinchera Norte and take the north stand. Bucaramanga
Estadio Alfonso LopezLocation: Between Crr 30 and Calle 14Opened: 1941 Capacity: 28,000 The Alfonso Lopez stadium has the distinction of being the only Colombian football stadium to have a synthetic playing surface which was installed in 2006. The terraces are coloured with green and yellow stripes after the colour of the Bucaramanga flag. The stadium is home to Atletico Bucaramanga and Real Santander. Tunja
Estadio de La IndependenciaLocation: North TunjaOpened: 2000 Capacity: 21,000 Estadio de La Independencia has had a short histroy and has rapidly evolved from a small Division B stadium with a capacity of around 8,000 to a comfortable venue of 21,000 on the back of home team Boyaca Chico's success in the Copa Libertadores in 2008 and 2009. Ibague
Estadio Manuel Murillo ToroLocation: IbagueOpened: 1955 Capacity: 33,000 Estadio Manuel Murillo Toro is a medium-sized stadium in which Deportes Tolima play their home matches. The fanatical group Revolucion Vinotinto Sur occupy the south terrace behind the goal. In 1981 a large part of the Manuel Murillo Toro stadium collapsed during a game due to overcrowded terraces resulting in the tragic deaths of 17 people. Neiva
Estadio Guillermo Plazas AlcidLocation: NeivaOpened: 1980 Capacity: 27,000 Estadio Guillermo Plazas Alcid, one of the more tired-looking Colombian football stadiums, is home to Atletico Huila. The Atletico Huila Barra Brava is called Alta Tension Neiva and take the south stand. Santa Marta
Estadio Eduardo SantosLocation: East Santa MartaOpened: 1951 Capacity: 23,000 Estadio Eduardo Santos is home to Union Magdalena, an historically important club from the coast of Colombia. Outside the stadium is a bronze statue of Santa Marta's most famous footballing son, Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama, complete with characteristic blond mop of hair! 
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