Стадион "Сентенарио": История и легенды уругвайского футбола

Football stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay

Estadio Centenario is a stadium in the Parque Batlle of Montevideo, Uruguay, used primarily for staging football matches. It is owned by the Montevideo Department. The stadium was built between 1929 and 1930 to host the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, as well as to commemorate the centenary of Uruguay's first constitution. It is listed by FIFA as one of the football world's classic stadiums. On July 18, 1983, it was declared by FIFA as the first Historical Monument of World Football, to this day the only building to achieve this recognition worldwide. Estadio Centenario is the national stadium of Uruguay and the primary home of their national football team. Uruguay has always been a threat when playing in their home stadium, consistently beating top teams. Even the top ranked Brazil national football team has only managed three wins in 20 attempts; two were official matches during 2010 and 2018 World Cup qualification, but one was Uruguay's heaviest defeat at the stadium when they lost 4–0 to Brazil in 2009.

The construction of the Centenario is one of the most important stages in the development of sports in South America and international football. It was built especially for the 1930 FIFA World Cup, by immigrant workers in a record time of nine months. Its name originates from the 100 year celebration of the ratification of the first Constitution of Uruguay. Initially, all World Cup matches were to be played in the Centenario. However, heavy rains in Montevideo delayed construction of the stadium, so that several matches had to be played in the Pocitos Stadium of C. A. Peñarol, and the Parque Central of Club Nacional de Football. It was inaugurated on July 18, 1930, with a match between Uruguay and Peru; the Celeste won 1–0 with a goal by Hector "Manco" Castro. The final match of the inaugural World Cup matched Uruguay and Argentina, with Uruguay winning 4–2. Since then, the Centenario has been the scene of Copa América (1942, 1956, 1967, 1995), three South American Youth Championships (1979, 2003, 2015), a South American Under 17 Football Championship (1999) and 1980 Mundialito. In 2021, the Centenario was selected as host of the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana finals. The stadium was renovated to prepare for those matches. The total cost of the works was $6 million and included the renovation of the grandstands, bathrooms, VIP boxes, and press boxes, along with a new illumination system and new pitch.

Aside from the Uruguay national team, any football club can rent the stadium for its home matches. and Nacional rents it for some international matches. Peñarol played all of its home matches at the stadium from 1933 until it moved to Estadio Campeón del Siglo in 2016. In the case of other Uruguayan teams, they often decide to play there against both Peñarol and Nacional. On July 21, 1929, the founding stone of the Stadium was laid, which is located under the tower and can also be visited. Estadio Centenario is equipped to accommodate visitors with Disability. The stadium features wheelchair accessible seating areas, elevators, and ramps. Additionally, dedicated restroom facilities and amenities are available for differently abled spectators. There is also a school running under the Olympic grandstand.

Estadio Centenario hosted ten matches of the 1930 FIFA World Cup, including both semi final matches and the final match. DateTimeTeam No. 1ResultTeam No. 2RoundAttendance18 July 193014:30 1–0 Group 3 57,73519 July 193012:50 1–0 Group 1 2,00019 July 193015:00 6–3 Group 1 42,10020 July 193013:00 4–0 Group 2 25,46620 July 193015:00 1–0 Group 4 12,00021 July 193014:50 4–0 Group 3 70,02222 July 193014:45 3 1 Group 1 41,45926 July 193014:45 6–1 Semi final 72,88627 July 193014:45 6–1 Semi final 79,86730 July 193014:15 4–2 Final 68,346

It hosted the final of the Copa Sudamericana on 20 November 2021 and the Copa Libertadores on 27 November 2021.

On October 4, 2023, Uruguay was announced as one of six host nations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. To celebrate the centennial of the inaugural World Cup, Estadio Centenario is expected to host the opening match.