Football is a huge part of Argentinian culture and has been since the first match was played in the country back in 1867. Over the past 150 years, it has gone from strength to strength and Argentinian football fans are now known as some of the most passionate on the planet.
Argentina are always one of the best-supported teams at international tournaments while at club level, there is no bigger rivalry in world football than River Plate vs Boca Juniors. Football is everything in the country which makes it an event every time the national team plays on home soil.
Where does the Argentina national team play, though? Do they have a set stadium or do they play matches across the country to give everyone their football fix? Here is everything you need to know.
Where does the Argentina national team play?
Argentina play the majority of their home matches at River Plate's stadium, Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires. The stadium has a capacity of 84,567, making it the biggest stadium in South America which is why it is used by the Argentina national team due to the high demand for tickets. Its location in the capital also makes it the logical choice for Argentina's home stadium.
However, Messi and co also play matches at other stadiums in the country to allow other fans to watch them in action. During qualifying for the 2022 World Cup Qatar, Argentina played at the following stadiums, in addition to the Estadio Monumental:
- Estadio Unico Madre de Cuidades – A 42,000-seater stadium in the City of Santiago del Estero. The stadium was opened in 2021.
- La Bombonera – A 57,200-seater stadium in Buenos Aires. It is the home stadium of Boca Juniors and one of the most iconic in South America.
- Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes – 57,000-seater stadium in Cordoba. It is the home stadium of Primera Division side, Talleres.
- Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario – A 25,286-seater stadium in San Juan. It is also used to host some Argentinian rugby matches.
Argentina's previous home stadiums
Argentina haven't always used River Plate's Estadio Monumental as their primary home stadium for football matches. When the national team was first formed in the early 1900s, they played their home matches at the Estadio GEBA. This was the venue when Argentina first wore their famous blue and white striped jersey in 1908 when they faced Uruguay.
The stadium was also the host of the first-ever South American football tournament, the Copa Centenario Revolucion de Mayo. This was effectively the first version of the Copa America and was played at the Estadio GEBA in 1910. Argentina last played at the stadium more than 100 years ago in 1919.
In between playing at the Estadio GEBA and Estadio Monumental, the national team had a 12-year stint at the Estadio Sportivo Barracas. The ground was also the home stadium of Sportivo Barracas and had a capacity of 37,000. Argentina played their last match at the stadium in 1932 and it was demolished four years later.