Mario Kempes

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Lore & Background

Mario Kempes is the namesake of one of Argentina's most significant sporting venues, the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes. Located in the Chateau Carreras neighborhood of Córdoba, this stadium was originally inaugurated on 16 May 1978 for the FIFA World Cup held that year. While the stadium initially held a capacity of 37,851 spectators, it underwent a massive remodelling process during 2010 and 2011 to prepare for the Copa América. This renovation included sinking the field 4 metres, replacing iconic Autotrol scoreboards with modern video screens, and expanding the seating capacity to 57,000. The stadium was re-inaugurated on 26 July 2011, just five days before the start of the tournament. Kempes' connection to this ground is profound; he was a native of Córdoba, and his performance as the top scorer in the inaugural 1978 World Cup matches played there cemented his status in local history.

In Their Own Story

The transformation of the stadium into a tribute for Mario Kempes began with a specific moment of advocacy. In 2008, local journalist Claudio Menditto published an article titled 'A tribute for Matador', which sparked the movement to honor the former national team player and World Cup hero. This campaign reached its climax in October 2010 when the Legislature of Córdoba Province officially approved the name change from Estadio Córdoba to Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes. The decision was a direct acknowledgment of his role as the top goal scorer of the 1978 FIFA World Cup, a tournament where the stadium first hosted matches like Peru 3 v Scotland 1 on 3 June. Years later, the venue continued to evolve; after hosting the 2011 Copa América with its new capacity and roof-covered stands, it became a regular host for major finals, including the 2015 and 2016 Copa Argentina finals and the 2022 Copa Sudamericana final.

Reader's Guide

For fans visiting or studying the history of Argentine football, the Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes offers a direct link to the 1978 era. Originally built by the 'Sánchez Elía-Peralta Ramos' Architects studio and commissioned by the military government's self-governing entity 'EAM 78', the stadium has hosted key moments including Group B matches and a semi-final of the 1987 Copa América. The complex, known as Polo Deportivo Kempes, now spans 40 hectares and includes facilities like the Soledad García field hockey stadium (opened in 2012) and an Olympic-size swimming pool named after Georgina Bardach (opened in 2014). While many local teams prefer their own venues, this stadium remains the preferred choice for important matches due to its size and comfort, hosting Talleres, Belgrano, Instituto, and Racing. It also holds the record attendance of 62,000 spectators set on 6 May 2013.

Did You Know?

• The stadium was renamed in October 2010 to honor Mario Kempes, a native of Córdoba and the top goal scorer of the 1978 FIFA World Cup.
• During the 2010-2011 remodelling, the field was sunken 4 metres and capacity increased from 37,851 to 57,000 spectators.
• The name change was driven by local journalist Claudio Menditto's 2008 article titled 'A tribute for Matador'.
• The stadium hosted the first World Cup match played in Córdoba: Peru 3 v Scotland 1 on 3 June 1978.
• The record attendance of 62,000 was set on 6 May 2013 when Talleres defeated San Jorge.