Estadio Omnilife

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Key facts

Club: CD Guadalajara (Chivas) | Opening: 2010 | Capacity: 45,500 seats

History and description

Estadio Omnilife was built to provide Chivas with a modern home. Until then, Chivas played their matches at Estadio Jalisco.

Plans for the new stadium were first made in the early 2000s, but various issues delayed the start of construction until 2007. The stadium was designed by French architecture firm Studio Massaud supported by Populous. It came at a cost of MX$ 2 billion.

The stadium stands out by its shape, which resembles a volcano, and its exterior covered with grass.

Estadio Omnilife officially opened on the 30th of July 2010 with a friendly between Chivas and Manchester United (3-2). Javier “Chicharito” Hernández, then just transferred to the latter, played for both sides and scored the first goal for Chivas.

The stadium initially had an artificial pitch, but this got replaced in the summer of 2012 after severe criticism of fans and at the request of newly-appointed advisor Johan Cruijff.

Getting there

Estadio Omnilife is located in the western-Guadalajara suburb of Zapopan at about 14 kilometres from Guadalajara’s historic centre.

The stadium lies just outside Guadalajara’s ring road, the Pereférico (Sur), and is therefore easily reached by car. There is ample parking available around the stadium.

Estadio Omnilife is harder to reach by public transport. If coming from Guadalajara’s historic centre, it is likely easiest to take the pre-tren, the city’s fixed-lane bus system. One can take the pre-tren from light rail station Juarez on Avenida Juarez (or Av. Vallarta) in the historic centre. Take the bus toward Aviación or Terminal Zapopan and get off at stop Concentro. From there it is an approximate 20-minute walk to the stadium. There are also special (free) Omnilife buses that circle the terrains of the stadium, which can shorten the walk somewhat.

The long-distance bus terminal of Zapopan is located at walking distance of the stadium, and has service (e.g. with Primera Plus and ETN) to many parts of the country. It may be more convenient to arrive and depart here than at Guadalajara’s Central de Autobuses, which is located on the other side of the city.

Address: Circuito JVC 2800, Fracc JVC, 45019 Zapopan

Tickets

Tickets for Chivas games can be bought online, at the ticket windows of Estadio Omnilife, or at one of the other pre-sale points.

These pre-sale points include the Chivas stores at the Plaza Galerías, Plaza del Sol, and Plaza Fiesta Arboledas shopping malls (all in the west of Guadalajara or Zapopan),  and the Omnilife store at Prisciliano Sanchez 425 in Guadalajara’s historic centre.

On the day of the match, there only tends to be ticket sales at the ticket windows of the stadium. Chivas currently rarely sell out, and even for the Súper Clásico versus América tickets are generally available in pre-sale.

Ticket prices depend on the match, but typically range from MX$ 70.00 for an upper-tier seat behind the goal to MX$ 400.00 for a central seat at the main stand.

Stadium tours

Estadio Omnilife offers guided stadium tours that include the Chivas museum. The tour lasts 105 to 110 minutes.

Tours run Tuesdays to Sundays at 10:30 am, 12:00 noon, 3:00 pm, and 4:00 pm. There are no tours on matchdays or the day after the match. The museum opens the same days from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Tickets can be bought at the entrance of the stadium, though it is advised to contact in advance to check availability. For more information call +52 (1) 3777 5777 or email toursestadio@omnilife.com.

The combined tour and museum cost MX$ 99.00, the museum only MX$ 60.00.

Photos

Relevant Internet links

Chivascampeon.com – Official website of CD Guadalajara.
Estadioomnilife.com.mx – Official website of Estadio Omnilife.
Guadalajara.gob.mx – Guadalajara tourist information.