Arequipa Stadium
Photo: Rojinegro81 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
- Capacity
- 60,000
- Year opened
- 1995
- Club
- —
- Country
- Peru
Overview
About the stadium
The Estadio Monumental de la UNSA — officially the Estadio Monumental Virgen de Chapi and known to fans simply as the Estadio de la UNSA — is a football stadium in Arequipa, southern Peru, and one of the largest sports venues in the country. It stands at roughly 2,370 m (around 7,800 ft) above sea level, a high-altitude setting that has long given home sides a tactical edge over visiting teams.
A university-owned giant
The stadium is owned and operated by the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA), the historic public university of Arequipa, which built it and continues to run it — an unusual arrangement for a top-tier South American ground. It is the home of FBC Melgar, the city's flagship club, and is also used by IDUNSA and other Arequipa teams.
- Owner: Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA)
- Main tenant: FBC Melgar
- Current capacity: about 60,000 (originally ~40,000)
- Altitude: ~2,370 m above sea level
History
Journey through time
Ground was broken in 1990 and the stadium was built between 1991 and 1993, opening on 11 November 1993 at a cost of around USD 7 million. Remarkably, roughly 70% of the funding came from a lottery and fundraising drive run by the university itself rather than from the state — a point of pride that underlines its civic, academic ownership.
From regional pride to continental stage
The ground originally held about 40,000 spectators and was later expanded to a capacity of around 60,000, making it one of Peru's biggest. It hosted matches at the 1997 Bolivarian Games, finals of the 2003 Copa Sudamericana, and most famously Group C of the 2004 Copa América, welcoming Brazil, Paraguay, Costa Rica and Chile. It was also a selected venue in plans for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
- Opened: 11 November 1993
- 2004 Copa América group-stage host
- Home of Melgar's national-title-winning sides, including the historic 2015 Primera División crown
Atmosphere
Matchday
Matchdays at the UNSA belong to the rojinegros — the red-and-black faithful of FBC Melgar, the oldest professional club in southern Peru. The terraces fill with regional pride, drums and flags, turning the vast bowl into one of the most intimidating fortresses in the Peruvian league.
Altitude as a twelfth man
Playing at nearly 2,370 metres, visiting teams often arrive short of breath while Melgar thrive, using the thin air and a roaring crowd to wear opponents down. The sense of arequipeño identity is fierce: this is the city that calls itself an independent republic in spirit, and its football reflects that swagger.
- Nickname of the support: rojinegros (red-and-black)
- Atmosphere: loud, passionate, altitude-charged
- Backdrop of the snow-capped El Misti volcano framing the stands on clear days
Practical info
Visiting the stadium
The stadium sits in the José Luis Bustamante y Rivero district on the southern side of Arequipa, Peru's elegant colonial "White City" (Ciudad Blanca), built largely of pale volcanic sillar stone. It is a short taxi or combi ride from the historic centre and the Plaza de Armas.
Getting there & matchday tips
Arequipa is served by Rodríguez Ballón International Airport and frequent buses from Lima, Cusco and Puno. Allow time to acclimatise to the altitude before kickoff — stay hydrated and take it easy on arrival.
- Getting there: taxi or local combi from the city centre; airport ~30–40 min away
- Altitude note: ~2,370 m — newcomers may feel breathless; hydrate well
- Nearby: the UNESCO-listed historic centre, the Santa Catalina Monastery, and views of the El Misti volcano
- Tip: arrive early on big Melgar fixtures; bring layers, as evenings cool quickly at altitude
Map
Where to find the stadium
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Plan your visit
Arequipa, Peru
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