El Monumental
El Monumental, officially called Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti, is the home of Club Atlético River Plate and the stadium where the Argentine national team plays most of its games. The stadium has a capacity of 64,000 places.
In the first decades of the 20th century River occupied various grounds spread over Buenos Aires. Most of these were rather modest though, and when the club’s supports grew rapidly in the early 1930s, the club directors decided to build a new stadium.
A plot of land was bought in the Belgrano area, and construction started in 1935. Building took over two years, and due to an insufficient budget the construction of the North Stand had to be postponed for many more years.
The stadium officially opened on the 26th of May 1938 with a friendly match between River and Uruguayan side Peñarol.
In 1958 the club finally had the funds to complete the construction of the North Stand. The stadium could hold about 100,000 fans at that time.
Further redevelopments were started in 1977 when a second tier was put on the North Stand. Changes at the lower tiers however meant that capacity was reduced to 76,600.
El Monumental was the main playing venue for the 1978 World Cup, hosting three matches during the first group phase, another three in the second group phase, the match for third place, and the final between Argentina and Holland (3-1 a.e.t.).
In 1986 the stadium got officially renamed after the president who initiated its construction, Antonio Vespucio Liberti. Few changes have been made to the stadium since.
Getting there
El Monumental is located towards the north of the city of Buenos Aires in the Belgrano area, close to the banks of the Rio de la Plata, about 9 kilometres from the city’s business centre (Microcentro), and approximately 5 kilometres from popular nightlife area Palermo.
There is no metro station particularly close to El Monumental, however the stadium can be reached in about 20 minutes walking from station Congreso de Tucumán on subte line D (green). Walk north over the Avenida Congreso.
From Retiro bus and train station, the stadium can be reached with local commuter trains (ferrovias). There is regular service from Retiro to station Scalabrini Ortiz, which is a 5-minute walk away from the stadium.
Other train services from Retiro go to the stations Belgrano or Nuñez. The walk from either station takes about 20 minutes.
There are also several buses (colectivos) that pass the stadium. Colectivo 29 goes past Plaza de Mayo (Microcentro), Avenida Cordoba, and runs through Palermo via Güemes street. Get off at the crossing of Avenida de Libertador and Quesada. Colectivo 15 runs along Avenida Santa Fé in Palermo. Get off at the same point.
Other colectivos that connect with the stadium are line 28, 42, 107, and 130, though none from tourist places.
Address: Figueroa Alcorta, 7597 Capital Federal
Tickets
Tickets for River games can be bought at the ticket windows at the stadium. Tickets are also generally available on the day of the match.
Relevant Internet links:
CARiverplate.com – Official website of Club Atlético River Plate.
Bue.gov.ar – Official website of the city of Buenos Aires.
Comoviajo.com – Public transport journey planner.
