Estadio Metropolitano de Mérida
Photo: Jesus Monsalve · CC BY 3.0 · source
- Capacity
- 42,200
- Year opened
- 2007
- Club
- —
- Country
- Venezuela
Overview
About the stadium
The Estadio Metropolitano de Mérida is a football stadium set high in the Venezuelan Andes, in the city of Mérida, and is the home of Estudiantes de Mérida FC. Officially seating 42,200 spectators (40,906 for international fixtures), it ranks among the largest grounds in Venezuela and forms part of the wider Cinco Águilas Blancas sports complex on the southern edge of the city.
A modern Andean arena
Built as a purpose-designed football venue, the stadium combines a steep, enclosing bowl with the dramatic mountain scenery that surrounds Mérida. It was conceived to host top-flight Venezuelan league football and major international competition.
- Tenant: Estudiantes de Mérida FC
- Capacity: 42,200 (40,906 international)
- Location: Mérida, in the Venezuelan Andes
- Complex: Cinco Águilas Blancas
Its altitude, compact stands and Andean backdrop give the ground a distinctive character within South American football.
History
Journey through time
The stadium was conceived as a flagship venue for the 2007 Copa América, which Venezuela hosted for the first time. Construction began in 2005, and the ground was temporarily opened on 7 December 2005 with partial seating of 16,000 for the country's National Games before final completion.
Built for the Copa América
The finished stadium was inaugurated on 25 May 2007, at a cost of roughly US$107 million, in time for the continental tournament.
- Hosted three Group A matches at the 2007 Copa América
- Uruguay vs Peru (0–3)
- Peru vs Bolivia (2–2)
- Venezuela vs Uruguay (0–0)
Since the tournament, the ground has served as the permanent home of Estudiantes de Mérida FC, hosting Venezuelan Primera División matches and occasional national-team and continental fixtures. It remains one of the principal football arenas of the Andean region and a lasting legacy of Venezuela's Copa América.
Atmosphere
Matchday
Few stadiums in South America enjoy a setting like this one. Wrapped by the peaks of the Venezuelan Andes, the Estadio Metropolitano de Mérida offers spectators a backdrop of green ridges and, on clear days, the snow-tipped summits that give the surrounding complex its name, Cinco Águilas Blancas (Five White Eagles).
Football in the mountains
Mérida is a lively university city, and its football crowd brings colour and noise to the steep stands. The supporters of Estudiantes de Mérida fill the ground with chants, drums and flags on matchdays.
- High-altitude pitch that can test visiting teams
- Mountain panorama visible from the upper tiers
- Passionate student-city support
The combination of altitude, an enclosed bowl and a youthful, vocal fanbase makes the venue one of the more atmospheric and visually striking stadiums in Venezuelan football.
Practical info
Visiting the stadium
The stadium sits in the southern part of Mérida, the capital of Mérida state in the western Venezuelan Andes, within the Cinco Águilas Blancas sports complex. The city lies along the valley of the Chama River, ringed by mountains.
Getting there and matchday tips
Mérida is reached by road from Venezuela's main cities or via the regional airport, and the stadium is accessible by local taxi and bus from the city centre.
- By air/road: regional airport and intercity routes serve Mérida
- Local transport: taxis and city buses reach the southern complex
- Nearby attraction: the famous Mérida cable car (Teleférico de Mérida), the world's highest and longest, climbs toward Pico Espejo
- Climate: mountain weather is cool and changeable — bring a layer
- Tip: arrive early to enjoy the Andean views before kickoff
Combine a match with the cable car and the Andes for a memorable visit.
Map
Where to find the stadium
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Plan your visit
Mérida, Venezuela
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