Estadio Luis de la Fuente – stadium description

Initially named simply Estadio Veracruzano, the new stadium built in 1968 wasn't actually even a part of Veracruz as a municipality. To this day it sits slightly behind administrative lines, in Boca del Rio. However, it remains owned by the state of Veracruz, so the name can easily be defended.

Not too relevant, the naming issue, because it was renamed after the death of El Pirata, one of Mexican football's biggest legends, born here in Veracruz. Luis de la Fuente y Hoyos passed away in 1972, becoming the nameholder for the stadium. His maritime nickname fits well to the Tiburones Rojos (Red Sharks) theme of the football team.

The stadium was designed by Juan Arrieta, not just an architect but also former footballer for Veracruz. At the time od design it was one of the more impressive and imposing stadia. Very compact, it offers vast majority of fans a seat in the spacious and steep upper tier of 21 rows, overhanging significantly over the modest 11 rows of the lower tier.

Though officially uncovered to this day, the overhang provides shelter to more afluent fans in the lower tier. This is where the media facilities are, as well as semi-enclosed private boxes, 5 rows each.

Despite passage of time, the stadium hasn't changed much over its history. The initial layout has been retained, while most of the 21st century renovations were purely cosmetic, limited to paintwork or the symbolic shark mouth-gates installed on the west side in 2013/14.

Aside from hosting games of Tiburones Rojos throughout history, the stadium also was delivered in time to see the 1968 Olympic relay inside. It also opened the national Olympiad of 2007 and opening of the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games.