Estadio Campeón del Siglo

Overview

About the stadium

The Estadio Campeón del Siglo is a modern football ground in Montevideo and the first stadium ever fully owned by Club Atlético Peñarol, one of South America's most decorated clubs. It holds roughly 40,172 spectators and has been home to the aurinegros (the yellow-and-blacks) since it opened in 2016. The arena sits on the north-eastern edge of the city in the Bañados de Carrasco area, about 16 km from the centre.

What the name means

The name "Campeón del Siglo" ("Champion of the Century") comes from the moment the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) named Peñarol the best South American club of the 20th century. A long-standing fan motto thus became the official identity of the whole ground. After more than a century of existence, finally building a venue of their own was a matter of pride and independence — for decades Peñarol had played as a tenant at the national Estadio Centenario.

History

Journey through time

Although Peñarol was founded back in 1891, for most of its history it had no large stadium of its own. The club played its matches at the Estadio Centenario, the iconic national ground built in 1930 — but that arena belongs to the city of Montevideo, not the club. The desire for a modern home of their own grew over the decades.

Construction and opening

The foundation stone was laid on 10 February 2014, and the roughly US$40 million build took two years. The arena was inaugurated on 28 March 2016 with a friendly against Argentina's River Plate, then reigning Copa Libertadores champions — a symbolic choice, since Peñarol had once opened River Plate's own ground decades earlier. The opening match ended 4–1 to Peñarol, and Diego Forlán scored the very first goal at the new stadium. It was a historic milestone: after 125 years, the club finally played on a pitch it owned outright.

Atmosphere

Matchday

The atmosphere at the Campeón del Siglo is among the fiercest on the continent. Peñarol's supporters, nicknamed the "manyas", fill the stands in their trademark yellow-and-black (aurinegro) colours, singing and waving flags relentlessly throughout the match. The modern enclosed bowl keeps the noise close to the pitch and amplifies it.

Clásico and big nights

The hottest fixtures are of course the derbies against arch-rivals Club Nacional de Football — the clash known as el Clásico, one of the oldest and most passionate rivalries in world football. Copa Libertadores nights are just as charged. The stadium was designed from the start to blend traditional South American fan fervour with the comfort of a modern arena: clear sightlines from every seat, a large LED screen, and four stands named after distinguished club presidents.

Practical info

Visiting the stadium

The stadium lies in the north-east of Montevideo in the Bañados de Carrasco area, roughly 16 km from the centre, near Ruta 102. It is not within walking distance, so it pays to plan your transport in advance.

Matchday tips

Getting there: A taxi or ride-hailing app is the easiest option; extra bus services from the centre run on match days.
Tickets: Buy online through Peñarol's official channels; el Clásico usually sells out.
Colours: Wear yellow and black for the home stands; leave Nacional's blue-and-white at home.
Timing: Arrive early — security checks and the trip from the centre take time.
Around the ground: There are few amenities nearby, so sort out food and drink before you arrive or inside the arena.