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Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona

Coordinates: 34°54′49.5″S 57°59′20.5″W / 34.913750°S 57.989028°W / -34.913750; -57.989028
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(Redirected from Estadio Ciudad de La Plata)
Unique Diego Armando Maradona Stadium
Estadio Único Diego Armando Maradona
Estadio Único
Aerial view of the stadium at night in 2014
Map
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[3] (2025–pres.)[4]
Capacity53,000
SurfacePlayMaster hybrid grass[5]
Field size
105 x 70
Current use
Construction
Built1997–2003
OpenedJune 7, 2003 (2003-06-07)
Renovated2011[1], 2026[2]
Construction cost
AR$100 million
ArchitectRoberto Ferreira
Tenants
Website
estadiolp.gba.gob.ar

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[3] since December 2025.[4] It had been previously managed jointly by the provincial government, the Municipality of La Plata, and local clubs Estudiantes and Gimnasia y Esgrima.[4]

Opened on June 7, 2003, the stadium was considered "the most modern of Latin America",[8][1] 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

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Beginnings

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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

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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

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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][5]

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

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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".[3]

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.[4]

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.[2]

Sporting events

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Football

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Friendly matches

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

Date Time
(UTC−03) 		Team 1 Result Team 2 Attend. Notes
July 16, 2003 21:10  Argentina
2–2
  Uruguay 40,000 [12][13]
June 7, 2014 14:45  Argentina
2–0
  Slovenia 53,000 [14][15]

2011 Copa América

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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.

Date Time
(UTC−03) 		Team 1 Result Team 2 Round
July 1, 2011 21:45  Argentina 1–1  Bolivia Group A
July 3, 2011 16:00  Brazil 0–0  Venezuela Group B
July 12, 2011 21:45  Uruguay 1–0  Mexico Group C
July 17, 2011 16:00  Brazil 0–0 (0–2 p.)  Paraguay Quarterfinals
July 19, 2011 21:45  Peru 0–2  Uruguay Semifinals
July 31, 2011 16:00  Peru 4–1  Venezuela Third Place play-off

2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup

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

Date Time
(UTC−03) 		Team 1 Result Team 2 Round Attendance
May 21, 2023 15:00  Israel 1–2  Colombia Group C 7,613
May 21, 2023 18:00  Senegal 0–1  Japan Group C 8,625
May 22, 2023 15:00  England 1–0  Tunisia Group E 2,765
May 22, 2023 18:00  Uruguay 4–0  Iraq Group E 5,176
May 24, 2023 15:00  Senegal 1–1  Israel Group C 2,078
May 24, 2023 18:00  Japan 1–2  Colombia Group C 3,768
May 25, 2023 15:00  Uruguay 2–3  England Group E 27,231
May 25, 2023 18:00  Iraq 0–3  Tunisia Group E 8,021
May 27, 2023 15:00  Brazil 2–0  Nigeria Group D 29,134
May 27, 2023 18:00  Colombia 1–1  Senegal Group C
May 28, 2023 15:00  Iraq 0–0  England Group E
May 28, 2023 18:00  Honduras 1–3  France Group F
May 31, 2023 14:30  Brazil 4–1  Tunisia Round of 16
May 31, 2023 18:00  England 1–2  Italy Round of 16
Jun 8, 2023 14:30  Uruguay 1–0  Israel Semi-finals
Jun 8, 2023 18:00  Italy 2–1  South Korea Semi-finals
Jun 11, 2023 14:30  Israel 2–1  South Korea Third place play-off
Jun 11, 2023 18:00  Uruguay 1–0  Italy Final

Rugby

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The Rugby Championship

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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.

Date Time
(UTC−03) 		Team 1 Result Team 2 Round Att. Ref.
29 Sep 2012 20:10  Argentina
15–54
  New Zealand Round 5 53,000 [16]
28 Sep 2013 19:40  Argentina
15–33
  New Zealand Round 5 40,207 [17]
27 Sep 2014 19:10  Argentina
13–34
  New Zealand Round 5 37,000 [18]

Panorama

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Panorama of the stadium, taken in October 2012

Concerts

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Todo listo para la reinauguración del Estadio Ciudad de La Plata. Los Andes, 17 Feb 2011
  2. ^ a b Alejandro Domínguez mostró los avances de las obras en el estadio Diego Maradona de La Plata: “Celebramos este tipo de iniciativas” at infobae.com. 15 Apr 2026
  3. ^ a b c La AFA firmó un acuerdo para que el Estadio Único de La Plata sea "la nueva casa de todo el fútbol argentino" at espn.com.ar.
  4. ^ a b c d La AFA toma el control total del Estadio Único de La Plata con apoyo de Kicillof at rosario3.com
  5. ^ a b ¿Cómo será el raro césped del estadio Unico? at Olé.com.ar. 2 Aug 2018
  6. ^ a b Homenaje al 10: El Estadio Único de La Plata se llamará Diego Maradona on ESPN, 18 Dec 2020
  7. ^ a b Maradona y una tribuna llevará el nombre de Alejandro Sabella on La Nación, 18 Dec 2020
  8. ^ El Único de La Plata, en la elite de los estadios del planeta fútbol on Infobae (archived, 17 Feb 2011)
  9. ^ Divididos por una cancha Archived 2016-03-16 at the Wayback Machine by Jesús Cornejo on La Nación, 2003
  10. ^ "La Plata: la otra catedral del rock". Clarín.
  11. ^ Se presenta el nuevo césped del Estadio Único que lo diferenciará de todos en Sudamérica at 0221.com.ar. 2 Aug 2018
  12. ^ Argentina - International Matches in Era Bielsa 1999-2004
  13. ^ Argentina 2-2 Uruguay match summary on ESPN
  14. ^ Argentina - International Matches in Era Sabella 2011-2014
  15. ^ Argentina le ganó a Eslovenia en el último amistoso rumbo al Mundial on La Voz, 7 Jun 2014
  16. ^ Argentina v New Zealand at worldrugby.com
  17. ^ Los Pumas cayeron ante los All Blacks por 33 a 15 at urba.org.ar
  18. ^ All Blacks derrotaron a Los Pumas en La Plata y son campeones at lavoz.com.ar
  19. ^ Serrat en La Plata on El Dia, 5 March 2004
  20. ^ Los Piojos despiden el año on Rolling Stone Argentina
  21. ^ El rock recuperó parte de su convocatoria on Rio Negro
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