Estadio Centenario, Football stadium in Parque Batlle, Uruguay
Estadio Centenario is a football stadium in Parque Batlle in Montevideo, Uruguay, with four stands arranged around the pitch. The Olympic Tower rises above one of the main stands, marking the entrance with its clear silhouette.
Built for the 1930 FIFA World Cup, the stadium was erected by immigrant workers in a record nine months between 1929 and 1930. Its name marks the centenary of the swearing of Uruguay's first Constitution. Heavy rain delayed completion, so some World Cup matches were played at Parque Central and the Pocitos Stadium. It was inaugurated on 18 July 1930 with Uruguay's 1–0 win over Peru, and hosted the final in which Uruguay beat Argentina 4–2.
The Museo del Fútbol Uruguayo opened on 15 December 1975 beneath the Olympic Tribune, where primary school No. 100 Héctor Fígoli also operates. A 2004 remodeling added a panoramic elevator to the Torre de los Homenajes. The stands carry names tied to Olympic titles: Colombes and Amsterdam recall the 1924 and 1928 gold medals, and the Olympic Tribune takes its name from those two wins.
The site sits on Avenida Ricaldoni in eastern Montevideo and is easy to reach by public transport. On match days, visitors should arrive early as access gates fill and parking is limited.
FIFA recognized the stadium as the only Historical Monument of World Football, an honor no other venue received. This recognition underscores its role in hosting the first World Cup final.
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