Estadio Atanasio Girardot

Estadio Atanasio Girardot (Atanasio Girardot Stadium), commonly referred to as El Atanasio, is a multi-purpose stadium in Medellín, Colombia.

Located in the Laureles comuna of Medellin, the stadium is currently used mostly for football matches by Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín, the most popular clubs in the Antioquia Department. On occasion, the stadium has held Colombia national team matches too.

The stadium was inaugurated on 19 March 1953 with a friendly match between Antioquia XI and Club America.

It was renovated for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup to the capacity of 40,943. The renovations also included the removal of the high fencing around the pitch, the removal of the running track, and the painting of seats. Its current capacity is 44,826 which ranks as the third largest in the country behind Estadio Deportivo Cali and Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez. The stadium was named after Atanasio Girardot, a Colombian revolutionary leader who fought alongside Simón Bolívar.

The stadium is part of the Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex.

In 2021, the stadium was renovated to prepare for the 2021 Copa América, which was originally to be held in Argentina and Colombia. However, the tournament was moved to Brazil. The renovations cost around $11 million and included more press boxes, more luxury boxes, better lighting, seating replacements, and bathroom renovations.

Sporting events held
The stadium has hosted many sporting events:


 * 1978 Central American and Caribbean Games
 * 2001 Copa América
 * 2010 South American Games
 * 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Transport
The stadium has its own station on line B of the Medellín Metro, which is named Estadio.