| Estadio Garcilaso | |
|---|---|
| Estadio Garcilaso | |
| Full name | Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega |
| Location | Cusco, Peru |
| Built | 1960 |
| Opened | 1960 |
| Renovated | 2004 |
| Expanded | 2004 |
| Owner | Instituto Peruano del Deporte |
| Operator | Gobierno Regional Cusco |
| Surface | Grass |
| Capacity | 45,000 |
| Field dimensions | 105 x 68 m |
| Tenants | |
| Cienciano (First Division) 1950-present Deportivo Garcilaso (Copa Perú) 1957-present Real Garcilaso (First Division) 200?-present |
|
Estadio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, commonly known as Estadio Garcilaso, is Cusco's principal stadium and the home venue of the local football team Cienciano. The stadium was named after the Peruvian mestizo Inca Garcilaso de la Vega and inaugurated in 1960, with an initial capacity of 30,000. It is owned by the Instituto Peruano del Deporte (Peruvian Institute of Sport).
The increase in spectator capacity came after CONMEBOL chose Peru to host the Copa América 2004, prompting the Peruvian government to invest in a five-million dollar renovation program for its stadia, including the Estadio Garcilaso de la Vega. Its renovation cost approximately $1,720,000, which helped boost its official spectator capacity to 45,000. The stadium ended up hosting the third place game of the Copa América 2004. Thanks to the event, the city of Cusco received even more tourists than it already receives as Peru's top tourist destination.
The Estadio Garcilaso de la Vega is also recognized as one of the most beautiful stadiums in all of South America. This recognition is due to its well-maintained grass and its resistance to the sometimes aggressive and highly variable climate of the city of Cuzco. The awe is the stadium's perpetual beauty even after these climates. It is this resistive beauty that inspires soccer commentators and visitors alike.
The stadium is currently home to three football clubs. The first two original clubs since the 1950s are Cienciano of the Peruvian First Division and Deportivo Garcilaso of the Copa Perú league. The third is the recently formed club Real Garcilaso, which was promoted to the First Division at the end of 2011. This will set up a much anticipated Cuzco derby match in the Peruvian top flight.