Estadio La Portada

Estadio La Portada is a multi-use stadium in La Serena, Chile. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home stadium of Deportes La Serena. The stadium holds 18,243 people and was completely renovated in 2015, in time for the 2015 Copa America.

It was opened on August 26, 1952, during the Plan Serena (project directed by President Gabriel González Videla) to replace the old field of La Vega. The name "La Portada" is related to the old and large stone doorway that gave access to the city in colonial times, which was located at the intersection of the current Balmaceda and Amunátegui avenues. This access was part of the 18th century fortifications, walls and artillery pieces that protected La Serena along the entire axis of current Amunátegui Avenue.

The stadium is owned and operated by the and has also hosted other non-sports events such as La Serena Song Festival.

History
The stadium was opened on August 26, 1952. In the first years the field surface was dirt. This changed when Club de Deportes La Serena became professional in 1955 and grass was planted. Since its inauguration, the La Serena combined team played there. In the beginning, demountable grandstands were added to increase the stadium capacity. It was mounted on the running track, allowing to host over 17,000 spectators.