Football stadium Montevideo, UruguayUpdated 2026

Estadio Centenario Seating Guide

Where to sit & the best seats

“El Templo del Fútbol” · “La Catedral del Fútbol”

Capacity60,235

Opened1930

Home teamsUruguay national football team, Club Atlético Peñarol (finals & clásicos), Club Nacional de Football (finals & clásicos)

LocationMontevideo, Uruguay

Where should I sit?

Gallery

Estadio Centenario in photos

6 outside · 3 inside the venue

At a glance

Where to sit at Estadio Centenario

Best overall

Tribuna Olímpica, middle ring, central

The main stand's central middle tier gives the best balanced side-on view of the whole pitch from the historic Olímpica.

Best value

Tribuna Colombes or Tribuna Amsterdam (popular ends)

The cheapest seats in the ground and, behind the goals, the most atmospheric places to stand with the hinchada.

Best atmosphere

The popular end holding the home hinchada (Amsterdam or Colombes)

The behind-goal 'populares' are where the drums, flags and non-stop chanting live; for a Uruguay match or a clásico this is the loudest bank in the stadium.

Where to avoid

Upper Colombes and upper Amsterdam (behind-goal top rows)

Set well back and high by the amphitheatre bowl, a long way from the far goal, and fully exposed to sun and rain.

Overview

About Estadio Centenario

Estadio Centenario is football's original cathedral - an uncovered 1930 amphitheatre where every seat is open to the sky. The Tribuna Olímpica on the east side is the three-tier main grandstand with the best central, side-on view and the Football Museum and Torre de los Homenajes beneath it; the Tribuna América opposite (west) holds the official box, VIP palcos and press. The two ends - Colombes to the north and Amsterdam to the south - are the cheap, steep 'populares' where the loudest hinchadas gather; for a clásico the two sets of fans typically split these ends. Because the bowl is an amphitheatre, the behind-goal ends sit further back and higher, and with no roof anywhere the weather is always a factor. It hosts Uruguay internationals and the biggest Peñarol and Nacional finals and derbies, and is slated for a roof and a rise to around 63,000 ahead of a commemorative match at the 2030 World Cup centenary.

An open, Art Deco amphitheatre built in just eight months for the inaugural 1930 World Cup and named for Uruguay's independence centenary. Four separate tribunes - Olímpica, América, Colombes and Amsterdam - ring the pitch, split by open corners, crowned by the 100 m Torre de los Homenajes at one corner of the Olímpica. It has no roof over any seat and no running track, but the steep amphitheatre bowl sets the behind-goal ends noticeably back from the play. In 1983 FIFA declared it the only Historical Monument of World Football.

Seat map

Seating map

View the official Estadio Centenario seating plan

We don't have a live ticketing map for Estadio Centenario yet. The venue's official website has the current seating chart and event-specific layouts.

Official website

Layout

How the venue is set up

Uruguay national team (La Celeste)

Full amphitheatre for internationals; the most partisan support fills the popular ends (Amsterdam and Colombes), with the Olímpica and América the calmer side stands.

Club finals & clásicos (Peñarol / Nacional)

Used as the neutral big-match venue; the two hinchadas are usually split between the Amsterdam and Colombes ends behind the goals, with the sides shared.

1930 World Cup & 2030 centenary

Site of the first World Cup final (Uruguay 4-2 Argentina, 30 July 1930). Planned renovation adds a roof over most stands - excluding the Torre de los Homenajes sector - and lifts capacity to about 63,000 for a commemorative 2030 opening match.

Concerts (occasional)

Rarely used for large concerts; an end-stage pitch layout is used, but the venue's identity and the vast majority of events are football.

Sections

Seating levels explained

Tribuna OlímpicaOlímpica - three tiers/rings, approx. 21,648

The main grandstand on the east side, rising in three tiers and holding more than a third of the crowd. The Museo del Fútbol and the Torre de los Homenajes sit beneath and beside it.

Pros: Best central, side-on view of the pitch; the largest and most complete stand; historic setting.

Cons: Completely uncovered; the upper ring is high and steep; the most sought-after (and priciest) side.

Tribuna AméricaAmérica - general seating approx. 5,957 plus VIP/press and the open Plataforma (approx. 2,911)

The west side stand facing the Olímpica, housing the official box, VIP palcos and the upper press level, with general seating in the remaining areas and an open standing platform.

Pros: Central side-on view; the premium and official side; generally quieter and more comfortable.

Cons: Smaller than the Olímpica; some areas are given over to press and officials; uncovered like the rest.

Tribuna ColombesColombes - approx. 13,914

The north end behind the goal, one of the two 'popular' terraces named for Uruguay's 1924 Olympic title in Colombes, France. Cheap, steep and loud.

Pros: Cheapest tickets; huge behind-goal atmosphere; a slice of football history.

Cons: Behind-goal angle and set well back by the amphitheatre bowl; fully exposed to sun and rain; far goal is distant.

Tribuna AmsterdamAmsterdam - approx. 13,923

The south end behind the goal, the other 'popular' terrace, named for the 1928 Olympic gold in Amsterdam. Mirror image of the Colombes and equally raucous.

Pros: Cheap and atmospheric; a favoured end for the loudest hinchada; strong behind-goal support.

Cons: Behind-goal sightline; distant from the far end of play; no cover at all from the elements.

Recommendations

Best seats at Estadio Centenario

Best overall view

Tribuna Olímpica, middle ring, central

The main stand's central middle tier gives the best balanced side-on view of the whole pitch from the historic Olímpica.

Best value

Tribuna Colombes or Tribuna Amsterdam (popular ends)

The cheapest seats in the ground and, behind the goals, the most atmospheric places to stand with the hinchada.

Best atmosphere

The popular end holding the home hinchada (Amsterdam or Colombes)

The behind-goal 'populares' are where the drums, flags and non-stop chanting live; for a Uruguay match or a clásico this is the loudest bank in the stadium.

Best for home attack / goals

Behind-goal at the end where the supported team attacks in the second half

Sitting in the popular end that the home or better-supported side shoots toward puts you right behind the goal celebrations.

Best side-on alternative

Tribuna América, central

A central side-on view opposite the Olímpica on the calmer VIP and press side - a good alternative if the main stand is sold out or you prefer a quieter seat.

Best for a final or neutral occasion

Tribuna Olímpica lower-central

For a neutral clásico or final, the lower-central Olímpica keeps you close to the pitch with a balanced view of both ends and both sets of fans.

For	Sections	Why
Best overall view	Tribuna Olímpica, middle ring, central	The main stand's central middle tier gives the best balanced side-on view of the whole pitch from the historic Olímpica.
Best value	Tribuna Colombes or Tribuna Amsterdam (popular ends)	The cheapest seats in the ground and, behind the goals, the most atmospheric places to stand with the hinchada.
Best atmosphere	The popular end holding the home hinchada (Amsterdam or Colombes)	The behind-goal 'populares' are where the drums, flags and non-stop chanting live; for a Uruguay match or a clásico this is the loudest bank in the stadium.
Best for home attack / goals	Behind-goal at the end where the supported team attacks in the second half	Sitting in the popular end that the home or better-supported side shoots toward puts you right behind the goal celebrations.
Best side-on alternative	Tribuna América, central	A central side-on view opposite the Olímpica on the calmer VIP and press side - a good alternative if the main stand is sold out or you prefer a quieter seat.
Best for a final or neutral occasion	Tribuna Olímpica lower-central	For a neutral clásico or final, the lower-central Olímpica keeps you close to the pitch with a balanced view of both ends and both sets of fans.

Heads up

Seats to avoid & obstructed views

Upper Colombes and upper Amsterdam (behind-goal top rows): Set well back and high by the amphitheatre bowl, a long way from the far goal, and fully exposed to sun and rain.

Top ring of the Olímpica and América: Very high and steep with a distant view of play - the trade-off for the elevated overview.

Any seat, in bad weather: There is no roof anywhere in the current stadium, so every seat is exposed to sun, wind and rain until the planned 2030 roof is built.

Low front rows and the open corners between tribunes: The amphitheatre design sets the front rows back from the touchline for a flat, slightly distant angle, and the corner gaps give skewed views.

Premium

Premium & hospitality

Palco Oficial (Official Box)

The official/directors' box in the Tribuna América on the west side, the stadium's ceremonial seating.

Palcos VIP (VIP boxes)

Private VIP boxes in the América tribune with the best sheltered-from-the-crowd central side-on view.

Press & upper América level

The upper press box and media facilities in the América, seating around 1,882 for media and guests.

Torre de los Homenajes experience

The 100 m Art Deco tower with a panoramic elevator (added 2004) and the Museo del Fútbol beneath the Olímpica - a heritage add-on to a matchday visit rather than match seating.

Access

Accessibility & companion seating

As a protected 1930 monument the Centenario has limited modern accessibility, with wheelchair provision concentrated at ground level near the main entrances rather than throughout the tiers; the planned 2030 renovation is intended to improve access significantly. Visitors needing wheelchair or companion space should arrange it in advance through the stadium administration (CAFO) or the Uruguayan FA (AUF).

Where: Designated ground-level accessible positions near the Olímpica and América entrances at pitch level.

Logistics

Getting there

Transport

The stadium sits in Parque Batlle, about 4.5 km east of the old city (Ciudad Vieja). It is very close to the Tres Cruces central bus terminal, a 10-15 minute walk away. From the historic centre, city buses 115 and 143 run almost directly to the ground (catch the 143 on Mercedes street, two blocks north of Avenida 18 de Julio); routes 104, 180 and 405 also stop nearby. Taxis and ride-share are widely available, and it is walkable or cyclable from the Pocitos and Tres Cruces neighbourhoods.

The area

Estadio Centenario stands in the middle of Parque Batlle, Montevideo's great green sports park, alongside an athletics track, velodrome and playing fields. Leafy residential Pocitos and the Tres Cruces transport hub are close by, with the city centre a short bus ride to the west.

Estadio Centenario · Montevideo, Uruguay

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where are the best seats at Estadio Centenario?

The central Tribuna Olímpica - the three-tier main stand on the east side - gives the best side-on view. The middle ring balances proximity and overview; the Tribuna América opposite is the quieter alternative.

What are the cheapest seats?

The two popular ends behind the goals - Tribuna Colombes (north) and Tribuna Amsterdam (south) - are the cheapest and the most atmospheric, though they are uncovered and set back from the far goal.

Where do away or rival fans sit?

For a clásico between Peñarol and Nacional the two hinchadas are usually split between the Amsterdam and Colombes ends behind the goals, keeping the rival supports at opposite ends.

Where is the best atmosphere?

In the popular ends - Amsterdam and Colombes - behind the goals, where the drums, banners and singing of the hinchadas are concentrated.

What is the capacity of Estadio Centenario?

Around 60,235 today. A planned renovation ahead of the 2030 World Cup centenary aims to add a roof over most of the stadium and raise capacity to about 63,000.

Is Estadio Centenario covered?

No. In its current form none of the four tribunes has a roof, so every seat is open to the sun and rain. A roof over most stands (except the Torre de los Homenajes sector) is planned for the 2030 renovation.

Is Estadio Centenario accessible for wheelchair users?

Accessibility is limited by the 1930 heritage design, with ground-level wheelchair positions near the main entrances. Arrange access in advance through the stadium administration or the AUF; the 2030 renovation is intended to improve provision.

Why is the pitch so far from some seats if there is no running track?

The Centenario was designed as a football stadium with no athletics track, but its steep amphitheatre bowl and open corners set the behind-goal ends further back and higher, so the ends feel more distant than the side stands.

What is the historical significance of the stadium?

It hosted the first-ever World Cup final in 1930 (Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2) and in 1983 was named by FIFA the only Historical Monument of World Football - hence its nickname, the temple of football.

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