Estadio Malvinas Argentinas

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Lore & Background

The history of this venue is tied directly to the 1978 FIFA World Cup selection in London on July 6, 1966. Mendoza was chosen as a host city, leading to the construction of a new stadium in General San Martín Park adjacent to Cerro de la Gloria. The project included access roads and a training field. Originally named Estadio Ciudad de Mendoza, it opened on May 14, 1978, with a friendly between players from Mendoza and San Rafael. That same year, Gimnasia y Esgrima de Mendoza became the first local team to play a first division match there. This renaming imbued the site with historical weight beyond sport, marking it as a symbol of national position during a turbulent era.

In Their Own Story

For the Argentina National Team, this stadium holds a singular distinction: it hosted only one official match in its history. That game took place in 2012 against Uruguay for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. While the team has played several friendly matches in Mendoza, none carry the weight of that specific qualifier. The venue also served as a neutral ground when Buenos Aires-area club Argentinos Juniors played home matches here during the 1993–94 season due to an agreement with TyC, though attendance was low and losses substantial. Beyond football, the stadium hosted Argentina test rugby matches and the final of the 2005 Under 21 Rugby World Championship, showcasing its versatility as a national sporting venue.

Reader's Guide

Visitors should note that while Godoy Cruz uses this ground for Primera División matches on some occasions, it is not their sole home. The stadium hosted six matches during the 1978 World Cup: three first-round and three second-round games. It later served as a venue for the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, the 2011 Copa América, the 2013 South American Youth Football Championship, and the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. A major renovation occurred before the 2011 Copa América, where all seats were replaced, bathrooms reconstructed, and a new 128 m2 LED screen installed. In 2016–17, Godoy Cruz drew an average home league attendance of 16,000.

Did You Know?

• The stadium features a dry moat surrounding the playing field that separates it from the grandstand.
• Argentina played only one official match at this venue: a 2012 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
• It hosted six matches during the 1978 FIFA World Cup, including three second-round games.
• A 128 m2 LED screen was installed during the 2011 renovation, making it the largest of its kind in South America at the time.