Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona

Football stadium in La Plata, Argentina From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona[6][7] (English: Unique Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, formerly Estadio Ciudad de La Plata) is a multi-purpose stadium located in La Plata, Argentina. It is also known popularly as the Estadio Único (One-of-a kind Stadium) and is owned by Buenos Aires Province, administered by the Argentine Football Association[1] since December 2025.[2] It had been previously managed jointly by the provincial government, the Municipality of La Plata, and local clubs Estudiantes and Gimnasia y Esgrima.[2]

Full name
Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona
Former names
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
AddressLa Plata
Argentina
OwnerBuenos Aires Province
Quick facts Full name, Former names ...
Unique Diego Armando Maradona Stadium
Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona
Estadio Único
Aerial view of the stadium at night in 2014
Interactive map of Unique Diego Armando Maradona Stadium
Full name
Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona
Former names
Estadio Ciudad de La Plata
AddressLa Plata
Argentina
OwnerBuenos Aires Province
OperatorAFA[1] (2025–pres.)[2]
Capacity53,000
SurfacePlayMaster hybrid grass[3]
Field size
105 x 70
Current use
Construction
Built1997–2003
OpenedJune 7, 2003 (2003-06-07)
Renovated2011[4], 2026[5]
Construction cost
AR$100 million
ArchitectRoberto Ferreira
Tenants
Website
estadiolp.gba.gob.ar
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Opened on June 7, 2003, the stadium was considered "the most modern of Latin America",[8][4] even without having completed all of the planned construction. Its tenants include Estudiantes LP whose own stadium, the Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, was declared unsafe in 2005, and Gimnasia y Esgrima LP. Gimnasia returned to their original stadium (Estadio Juan Carmelo Zerillo) in mid-2008.

It is located between 32nd and 526th avenues, 25 Street and 21. These fields also contain a small rugby union stadium and a center for Physical Education, which tend to be intercollegiate events with schools in the area, such as the school No. 31, better known as the Saint Martin Commercial.

History

Beginnings

Poster displaying a logo for the project of a stadium in La Plata which would be a venue for the 1978 World Cup. It was finally dismissed

The idea of the project began in 1947 when Governor Domingo Mercante expropriated the property located at the junction of Roads 32 and 25 and formed the La Plata Sports Complex.

In 1972, La Plata was to be a candidate to host matches in the 1978 FIFA World Cup. The Government of Argentina called for project competitive bids to construct a "unique stadium" in the city. It would be built in a municipal land situated near Ringuelet train station, adding other lands to be expropriated. The government choose the project presented by Antonini-Schon-Zemborain, nevertheless it would never carried out.[9]

In 1989, after a meeting between the Buenos Aires Province Government and the Municipality of La Plata's, Estudiantes and Gimnasia, created a committee to build and manage a complex dedicated entirely to the practice of football and other sports.

Thus, after reviewing several alternatives, the construction of the stadium was proposed to take place in the area of the Center for Physical Education No. 2. This determined as the most accessible area for a stadium in La Plata. In January 1992 it was signed into law 11118, which established the construction site.

Construction

Structure of the stadium roof as seen in 2010

On April 21, 1992, the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata Foundation was established, which was an institution composed equally of representatives from Estudiantes and Gimnasia. The College of Architects and Engineers held a meeting in April 1993 to choose an architectural proposal. It was awarded to Roberto Ferreira & Associates.

In 1996 a permit was given by the Executive Branch that awarded the provincial administration the right to begin construction the following year. The Executive Unit called for public tenders for the job.

A year later they began building the supports for the roof. And in 1998, the governor Eduardo Duhalde and the Mayor of La Plata, Julio Alak, laid the first stone to begin the construction of the stadium.

The works also detained foir trade union and economic problems in 2000, so ad with Eduardo Duhalde as President of the Nation, called for a new tender for the allocation of investment with a view to its installation in May 2003.

Opening and events

Interior view from the boxes, 2013
Interior view in 2014

The stadium opened on June 7, 2003. The stadium was temporarily closed to convert it into an all-seater stadium, and to install a new roof intended to cover all seats. Work had gone ahead of schedule and the roof was finished before the end of February. The stadium was officially reopened on February 17, 2011, and its first match was played six days later between Estudiantes and Deportes Tolima for the Group 7 of the 2011 Copa Libertadores.

The stadium has since become a significant venue for musicians on tour. Over 300,000 tickets to such events at the stadium were sold in 2011, ranking the La Plata Stadium fifth worldwide in performing events tickets sold.[10]

In 2018 it was announced that the stadium's surface would be replaced by PlayMaster (a type of hybrid grass manufactured by GrandMaster Solutions) therefore Estadio Unico followed European venues such as Johan Cruyff Arena, Juventus Stadium, San Mamés Stadium, and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which had installed hybrid surfaces on their pitches.[11][3]

After the death of Diego Maradona in November 2020, the stadium was named "Estadio Único Diego Maradona" to honor the legend.[6] In the same way, one of its grandstands was named "Alejandro Sabella " to honor one of the most notable players from the city.[7]

AFA agreement and renovation

In December 2024, the province of Buenos Aires' administration leaded by Axel Kicillof signed an agreement with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for which the stadium would become the main venue for the Argentina national teams. The agreement included the stadium to be used not only for the national teams (from the senior squad to youth and women's teams) but for Primera División finals and other competitions such as Copa Argentina, and even for international tournaments. The deal was named "the new house of the whole Argentine football".[1]

AFA took full control of Estadio Único in December 2025 so the employees of the provincial government that remained working at the stadium were moved to other areas. The agreement also specified that Buenos Aires Province would receive a canon of AR$ 1,000 million per year, plus 30% of ticket sales from non-sporting events held in the venue. The agreement is for 5 years.[2]

As of April 2026, the stadium was under a renovation process that included the field, a new roof and lighting system, among other improvements to its structure. It is expected that Estadio Único is fully operative in mid 2026.[5]

Sporting events

Football

Friendly matches

The stadium has hosted at least two friendly matches featuring the Argentina national team.

More information Date, Time (UTC−03) ...
Date Time
(UTC−03)		 Team 1 Result Team 2 Attend. Notes
July 16, 200321:10 Argentina
2–2
 Uruguay40,000[12][13]
June 7, 201414:45 Argentina
2–0
 Slovenia53,000[14][15]
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2011 Copa América

The stadium was confirmed as one of seven venues to host the 2011 Copa América in Argentina including the opening game. La Plata ended up hosting a total of six matches.

More information Date, Time (UTC−03) ...
Date Time
(UTC−03)		 Team 1 Result Team 2 Round
July 1, 201121:45 Argentina1–1 BoliviaGroup A
July 3, 201116:00 Brazil0–0 VenezuelaGroup B
July 12, 201121:45 Uruguay1–0 MexicoGroup C
July 17, 201116:00 Brazil0–0 (0–2 p.) ParaguayQuarterfinals
July 19, 201121:45 Peru0–2 UruguaySemifinals
July 31, 201116:00 Peru4–1 VenezuelaThird Place play-off
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2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup

The stadium was confirmed as one of four venues to host the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup including the final.

More information Date, Time (UTC−03) ...
Date Time
(UTC−03)		 Team 1 Result Team 2 Round Attendance
May 21, 202315:00 Israel1–2 ColombiaGroup C7,613
May 21, 202318:00 Senegal0–1 JapanGroup C8,625
May 22, 202315:00 England1–0 TunisiaGroup E2,765
May 22, 202318:00 Uruguay4–0 IraqGroup E5,176
May 24, 202315:00 Senegal1–1 IsraelGroup C2,078
May 24, 202318:00 Japan1–2 ColombiaGroup C3,768
May 25, 202315:00 Uruguay2–3 EnglandGroup E27,231
May 25, 202318:00 Iraq0–3 TunisiaGroup E8,021
May 27, 202315:00 Brazil2–0 NigeriaGroup D29,134
May 27, 202318:00 Colombia1–1 SenegalGroup C
May 28, 202315:00 Iraq0–0 EnglandGroup E
May 28, 202318:00 Honduras1–3 FranceGroup F
May 31, 202314:30 Brazil4–1 TunisiaRound of 16
May 31, 202318:00 England1–2 ItalyRound of 16
Jun 8, 202314:30 Uruguay1–0 IsraelSemi-finals
Jun 8, 202318:00 Italy2–1 South KoreaSemi-finals
Jun 11, 202314:30 Israel2–1 South KoreaThird place play-off
Jun 11, 202318:00 Uruguay1–0 ItalyFinal
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Rugby

The Rugby Championship

The stadium has also hosted a number of rugby matches between Argentina and New Zealand as part of The Rugby Championship, which Argentina joined in 2012.

More information Date, Time (UTC−03) ...
Date Time
(UTC−03)		 Team 1 Result Team 2 Round Att. Ref.
29 Sep 201220:10 Argentina
15–54
 New ZealandRound 553,000[16]
28 Sep 201319:40 Argentina
15–33
 New ZealandRound 540,207[17]
27 Sep 201419:10 Argentina
13–34
 New ZealandRound 537,000[18]
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Panorama

Panorama of the stadium, taken in October 2012

Concerts

See also

References

External links

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