Estadio Reales Tamarindos, Football stadium in Portoviejo, Ecuador
Estadio Reales Tamarindos is a multi-use stadium on Avenida Universitaria at Calle César Chávez Cañarte in Portoviejo, Ecuador. Its main concrete grandstand carries the press box and roof, while the rebuilt north and south general stands sit close behind the goals. Capacity is about 21,000 spectators.
Built in 1970 on the site of the old Estadio Municipal, it opened so Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Portoviejo could host Campeonato Nacional matches, the first Portoviejo club to reach that level. It was modernised for the 1985 Bolivarian Games and completed for the 1993 Copa América, then hosted 1995 Under-17 World Cup and 2001 South American Under-20 final-round matches. The 2016 earthquake damaged its structure.
This venue serves as a central meeting place where residents gather to cheer for their local football club on match days. The sport shapes much of the city's social rhythm and community pride.
The stadium stands at Avenida Universitaria and Calle César Chávez Cañarte, not in the historic centre, so cross the Portoviejo River and head north-west toward the Universidad Técnica de Manabí campus. The nearest working airport is Eloy Alfaro in Manta, 26 km west. The 2016 earthquake damaged the structure, so check which stands are open before travelling.
The stadium's name comes from Portoviejo's nickname, "city of the Royal Tamarind Trees", recalling the tamarind plantations once found in the area. Look for the old Hungarian-made Electroimpex electronic scoreboard, now abandoned and hidden behind the north general stand.
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