History and description

The stadium holds a maximum of 49,000 spectators. The Estadio Nacional de Chile officially opened on December 3, 1938 with a friendly match between Colo Colo and Brazilian side Sao Christovao (6-2). The stadium is designed to hold up to 49,000 spectators. In 1955, a stampede occurred during an international soccer game between Chile and Argentina, resulting in 9 deaths.

The Estadio Nacional underwent a major remodelling in the early 1960s in preparation for the 1962 World Cup, which would be hosted at the stadium.

Few changes were made to the stadium in the decades following until the stadium underwent a major renovation in 2009. This renovation replaced all seats and upgraded various facilities.

After an earthquake struck the country early 2010, it was initially planned to install a roof over the stadium. However, this plan was later postponed after the stadium reopened in September 2010.

The National Stadium of Chile, owned by the municipality of Nunoa, is used mostly for home matches of the Chilean national team.

Chile's Club Universidad de Chile plans to use the stadium for most of their home matches in the near future, though they have intentions to build a new club-owned stadium in the future.

(photos of the present Estadio Nacional de Chile below)

How to get to Estadio Nacional

The Estadio Nacional is located in the Ñuñoa area, just south of Santiago de Chile's historic center. It's about 4 kilometers south of Providencia, one of the city's wealthier areas. Metro station Nuble is a short walk away from the stadium. You can reach it with the green line L5 from the city center. Take the metro in the direction of Vicente Valdes. If coming from the Providencia area, a change from the red L1 to the green L5 at station Baquedano is necessary.

From Providencia, it will in fact be quicker to catch a bus to the stadium. Lines 103, 114, 117 and 515 will take you from metro station Pedro de Valdivia (or metro Manuel Montt) directly to the stadium (stop Estadio Nacional). Line 106 and 126 also connect metro Manuel Montt with the stadium.

You can catch Bus 510 from Metro Station Los Heroes in the center or, even better, Line 508 which crosses right through the city center over Merced. Bus 515 can be caught from Metro Bellas Artes. All buses pass directly by the stadium.

Address: Avenida Grecia 2001, Ñuñoa, Santiago

Eat, drink, and sleep near Estadio Nacional

The Estadio Nacional is located in a residential neighbourhood and is part of a larger sports complex that doesn't have much entertainment around. While there are occasional local bars or restaurants, eating and drinking is better done in Santiago or Providencia's centres. There is no good choice if it comes to sleeping, though both Casa Muriel and Hostel Friendly are only a short walk away. Click here for an overview of hotels near Estadio Nacional.

If you are able to find a hotel near the centre or Providencia, it might be a better idea.

Universidad de Chile Tickets

Tickets for Universidad de Chile games can be bought online through Puntoticket, or in person at any of the Puntotickets sales outlets. Depending on the match, tickets may be available on the day or may need to be purchased in advance.

Ticket prices can vary somewhat depending on the occasion, but typically range between CH$ 6,000 for a seat behind the goal and CH$ 35,000 for seats in the main stand. Prices will go up for high-profile matches though.

Since the Chile National Soccer Team does not own Estadio Nacional, they may sometimes play a home match at a different stadium when Estadio Nacional is occupied or for other reasons.

Relevant Internet links

The official website of Club Universidad de Chile, Chile travel, and Metro.cl provide information about the Santiago metro. Alexandra Hall wrote: 10 September 2013 at 12:34 am It is astonishing that there is no information on the use of the Estadio Nacional as a concentration camp following the 1973 coup.

It is surprising that there is no information on the use of the National Stadium as a concentration camp after the 1973 coup.