Estadio Alberto J. Armando

Infobox Stadium
stadium_name = Estadio Alberto J. Armando
nickname = "La Bombonera" (the Chocolate Box)


fullname = Estadio Alberto J. Armando
location = Brandsen 805 CP 1161 La Boca, Buenos Aires
built = 1940
opened = 25 May 1940
renovated = 1995-96
closed =
demolished =
owner = Boca Juniors
operator =
surface = Grass
construction_cost =
architect = José Luis Delpini, Viktor Sulčič, Raúl Bes
former_names = Estadio Camilo Cichero (1940–2000)
tenants = Boca Juniors
seating_capacity = 57,395
dimensions = 105 x 64.7 m

The Estadio Alberto J. Armando (formerly the Estadio Camilo Cichero) is a stadium located in the La Boca district of Buenos Aires. Widely known as La Bombonera (the Chocolate Box) due to its rectangular shape, it is home to Boca Juniors, one of Argentina's most famous football clubs.

The stadium was first used for a friendly match between Boca and San Lorenzo on May 25, 1940. (Archrivals River Plate also inaugurated their stadium on 25 May, but two years earlier, in 1938).

Construction began in 1923, and was finished in 1940. Then club-president - Camilo Cichero named it after himself.

It underwent a major renovation from 1995 to 1996, in order to raise its capacity from 49.000 to 57,395.

It was given its current official name on 27 December 2000. The stadium is named after Alberto J. Armando a former club president who promised a major renovation of La Bombonera upon his election in 1975, but his plans were delayed by the country's political and economical situation.

Visiting teams are said to be intimidated by the stadium's acoustics. This was noted by Estudiantes de La Plata, which hosted its major Copa Libertadores matches there.

Out of its capacity of 57.395, 37,538 are seats, 2780 are boxes and the other 17,077 are standing room. Both its interior and exterior are lined with many murals painted by artist Pérez Célis depicting many of the club's legendary players and many aspects of the district's culture, such as the life of the Italian immigrants. The stadium also contains a museum celebrating the club's history, it was opened in 2001.

The stadium was featured in the film in which England loses with 4-0 to Mexico. This is a goof, or an intentional mistake by the filmmakers as the world cup in the movie is based in Brazil, whereas this stadium is based in Argentina.

Trivia

Because the lack of licensing, the name of the stadium in the videogame Pro Evolution Soccer is called "Estadio Grand Chaco".

The field follows FIFA's minimum length-requirements (105 m x 68 m)

The illumination was installed first after 12 years (in 1952), this allowed for games to be played at night, allowing the stadium to host international cups.

Estadio Alberto J. Armando is not only known as "La Bombonera", but also as the "Caldeirão do Clube Atlético Boca Juniors" (The Boca Junior Athletic Club Cauldron).

Only four Brazilian Soccer Clubs have succeeded in winning against Boca Juniors while playing at the Estadio Alberto J. Armando: Santos, Cruzeiro and Paysandu. Grêmio won while playing an Exhibition game in the sixties.

The black and white Coca Cola advertisement banners that hang in the stadium are the only ones in the world not to use Coca Cola's trademark red color, because the team color of Boca's arch rivals River Plate is red and white.

See also

* List of football stadiums by capacity

External links

* [http://www.bocampeonweb.com.ar/english/bombonera.htm Stadium history]
* [http://www.agrupacionnuevoboca.com.ar/Club/Estadio/Default.asp Stadium info] (Spanish)