Benito Villamarín
Heliópolis
UEFA
Full nameEstadio Benito Villamarín
Former namesEstadio Heliópolis (1939–1961)
Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera (1997–2010)
LocationAvenida de Heliópolis, s/n
41012 Seville
OwnerReal Betis
OperatorReal Betis
Capacity60,720[1]
Record attendance57,123
(Real Betis v Valencia; 7 February 2019)
Construction
Opened1929
Expanded1982, 2000, 2017
Tenants
Real Betis (1929–present)
Spain national football team (selected matches)

Estadio Benito Villamarín is a stadium in Seville, Spain, and the home of Real Betis since its completion in 1929. It has a capacity of 60,720.

History

Construction

As early as 1912, the Spanish architect Aníbal González Álvarez-Ossorio had an initial design of a stadium for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. The executive committee has commissioned the architect Antonio Illanes del Río to complete the design in 1923.[2] Several locations were considered for the new stadium when finally the current location was chosen by commissar Cruz Conde.[2] The technical study for its construction was carried out by Manuel María Smith who has designed the San Mamés Stadium of Bilbao in 1913.[2] The construction works were launched in 1923 and finally completed by the end of 1928. [2]

Inauguration to 1939

Estadio de la Exposición in 1929

The newly built Estadio de la Exposición was officially inaugurated on March 17, 1929, hosting an international match where Spain defeated Portugal 5-0. In 1936, Real Betis gained the lease of the stadium and became its sole tenant.

During the Spanish Civil War, Seville City Council requisitioned the stadium and handed it over to the military. The stadium suffered major damages as a result of the war and required renovation. The work was carried out with the help of Gonzalo Queipo de Llano, and the stadium was reopened on March 12, 1939.

After the Benito Villamarín era

In 1958, the extension of the northern and southern stands was carried out by the architect Antonio Delgado y Roig. In 1959 electric lighting was installed with 4 towers of 48 spotlights each.

On August 12, 1961, the stadium became owned property by Real Betis. Few days later, the stadium was renamed after Benito Villamarín who served as the club president between 1955 and 1965. The stadium was blessed by Cardinal José Bueno y Monreal.

Between 1971 and 1973, the northern and southern stands were entirely demolished to be rebuilt. With continuous expansion works during the 1970s, the capacity of the stadium was increased up to 48,500 spectators. However, major renovation works were carried out between 1979 and 1982 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the capacity of the stadium was increased up to 50,253. The stadium hosted 2 group matches during the tournament.[3]

Panorama of the stadium from the pitch level
Panorama of the stadium from the pitch level

Current status

In 1997, the stadium was renamed after the then-club president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera. However in 2010, Real Betis fans voted to change the name of the stadium back to honor former club president Benito Villamarín.[4]

The stadium in 2008
Sunset in Seville over the Benito Villamarín in 2014

In 2016, the southern stand of the stadium was demolished for expansion. After the most recent redevelopments, the total capacity of the stadium was increased from 52,000 to 60,720.[1] The expansion work was completed in August 2017 in time for the 2017–18 La Liga season.[5]

1982 FIFA World Cup

The stadium hosted two group matches in the 1982 FIFA World Cup.[6]

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round Attendance
18 June 1982 Brazil4–1 ScotlandGroup 647,379
23 June 1982 Brazil4–0 New ZealandGroup 643,000

References

  1. 1 2 "New features for Benito Villamarín Stadium". Real Betis Balompie. Archived from the original on 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2017-06-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cabrero Nieves, Juan José. "The Stadium of the Exhibition" (in Spanish). Iberoamerican Exhibition of Seville. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Estadio Benito Villamarin". The Stadium Guide. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  4. ↑ Ruiz, Bernardo (16 October 2010). "Los abonados deciden restaurar el nombre de Benito Villamarín" (in Spanish). El Correo. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  5. ↑ Nuevo Gol Sur del Villamarín estará terminado en agosto de 2017
  6. ↑ "Group F - BRA NZL SCO ZSR". 1982 World Cup Finals. RSSSF. Retrieved 18 July 2020.

coordinates = 37°21′23″N 5°58′53″W / 37.35639°N 5.98139°W / 37.35639; -5.98139

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