Hernando Siles Stadium

Hernando Siles Stadium

Hernando Siles Stadium, also called Estadio Olímpico La Paz, is the largest stadium in Bolivia. It can hold up to 41,143 people. The stadium is named after Hernando Siles Reyes, who was the 31st President of Bolivia from 1926 to 1930.

The stadium is in the Miraflores area of La Paz. It is very high up, at 3,582 meters above sea level. This makes it one of the highest stadiums in the world for football matches.

Opened in 1930, the stadium is home to several important Bolivian football teams. These teams include Club Bolívar, The Strongest, and La Paz F.C. It has also hosted games for other clubs such as Universitario de La Paz, Chaco Petrolero, and Mariscal Braun.

The stadium’s biggest crowd was on March 3, 1989. That day, 60,000 fans watched a match between Bolivar and Danubio during the Copa Libertadores.

History

The stadium opened on January 16, 1930 with a match between The Strongest and Universitario. The Strongest won 4–1.

It has hosted many important games, such as matches in the 1963 South American Championship, which Bolivia won. It was rebuilt in 1975 for the 1977 Bolivarian Games, which made it bigger and added better lighting. In 2007, it became an all-seater stadium, which made it smaller.

The stadium has seen some amazing moments, like when Bolivia beat Brazil 2–0 in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers. It also hosted Bolivia's games in the 1997 Copa América. In 2009, Bolivia had a big win against Argentina with a score of 6–1.

FIFA altitude ban

Main article: High-altitude football controversy

FIFA, the group that controls international soccer, let Bolivia use Hernando Siles Stadium for important World Cup games, even though the stadium is very high above sea level. Players from other countries needed time to get used to the thin air.

In May 2007, FIFA said no World Cup games could be played higher than 2,500 meters. This upset many people in Bolivia, including their president and famous player Diego Maradona. After talks, FIFA changed the rule to allow games up to 3,000 meters and let Hernando Siles Stadium keep hosting World Cup games. The rule changed again in May 2008.

During some World Cup qualifying seasons, Bolivia won many home games at this stadium. In 2017, a famous player named Neymar shared pictures of his team using special air masks before a game, calling the conditions tough.

Events

The Mexican pop group RBD began their Gira del Adiós World Tour at the stadium on November 1, 2008.

Enrique Iglesias performed there on July 2, 2011, as part of his Euphoria Tour.

The American rock band Guns N' Roses had a concert at the stadium on April 12, 2014, during their South American tour.