ESTADIO OMNILIFE

Zapopan, Mexico

WSPE-544

Omnilife Stadium, formerly known as Chivas Stadium, is the 4th largest stadium in Mexico. It is built in the JVC complex, a multi-use venue that is used mostly for football matches including home matches for Club Deportivo Guadalajara, commonly known as the "Chivas." The stadium has a seating capacity of 49,850. Construction started in February 2004 but due to Financial problems and other issues the stadium's completion was delayed for a number of years. The stadium hosted its first major international event with the first leg of the 2010 Finals of the Copa Libertadores. The artificial field has caused a great controversy as many notable players criticized it.

The first public football match at the stadium was a friendly between Guadalajara and Manchester United on 30 July 2010. Guadalajara won the game 3–2, with the first goal at the stadium scored by Javier "Chicharito" Hernández playing for Guadalajara. Hernández played the entire first half for Guadalajara and switched sides to Manchester United in the second half per his transfer contract signed in March 2010. Although the first official match was the first game of the final of the Copa Libertadores, a game where Inter de Porto Alegre won 2-1.

The field has been the subject of a lot of controversy, since a lot of Mexican players have complained about the field, including Rafael Marquez, Andrés Guardado, Carlos Vela, Carlos Salcido,Francisco Palencia, and Ricardo Osorio. Carlos Vela commented that Chivas deserved a natural field, like all the big teams in the world have. Ricardo Osorio said that FIFA should prohibit the field because it is dangerous.  Chivas player Adolfo Bautista has been using different shoes, including non-cleats, because it has been reported that the artificial turf injures him. Francisco Palencia also got mysteriously injured playing in this field, and he commented "God bless those who will play in the Omnilife Stadium.

Unused 4" x 6" continental size chrome.

World Stadiums Postcard Edition