Estadio Alberto J. Armando

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Estadio Alberto J. Armando
La Bombonera (the Chocolate Box)

Full name	Estadio Alberto J. Armando
Location	Brandsen 805 CP 1161 La Boca, Buenos Aires
Built	1940
Opened	25 May 1940
Renovated	1995-96
Owner	Boca Juniors
Surface	Grass
Architect	José Luis Delpini, Viktor Sulčič, Raúl Bes
Former names	Estadio Camilo Cichero (1940–2000)
Tenants	Boca Juniors
Capacity	49,000
Field dimensions	100 x 64.7 m

The Estadio Alberto J. Armando (formerly the Estadio Camilo Cichero) is a stadium located in the La Boca district of Buenos Aires. Affectionately known as La Bombonera (the Chocolate Box) due to its rectangular shape, it is home to Boca Juniors, one of Argentina's most famous football clubs.

The stadium was first used for a friendly match between Boca and San Lorenzo on May 25, 1940. (Archrivals River Plate also inaugurated their stadium on 25 May, but two years earlier, on 1938).

It underwent a major renovation in 1995–96, raising its capacity to 57,395, and was given its current official name on 27 December 2000. The stadium is named after a former club president who promised a major renovation of La Bombonera upon his election in 1975, but his plans were delayed by the country's political and economic situation.

Visiting teams are said to be intimidated by the stadium's acoustics. This was noted by Estudiantes de La Plata, which hosted its major Copa Libertadores matches there.

Of its 57,395 capacity, there are 37,538 seats, 2780 boxes and the other 17,077 are standing room only. Both its interior and exterior are lined with many murals painted by artist Pérez Célis depicting many of the club's legendary players and many aspects of the district's culture. The stadium also contains a museum celebrating the club's history, opened in 2001.

The stadium was featured in the film Mike Bassett England Manager during which England lose 4-0 to Mexico. However this is a rather obvious goof the film is supposed to have the world cup based in Brazil, the stadium is of course based in Argentina.