Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Football stadium in El Llano, Alajuela, Costa Rica
Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto is a football ground in Barrio El Llano, Alajuela, home of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and also rented by Carmelita. Its stands hold 17,895 spectators for matches and over 28,000 for concerts. The pitch is Xtreme Turf synthetic grass from ACT Global Sports, installed in 2009 and holding FIFA two-star certification, with a two-floor royal box above the west stand.
The stadium was built starting in 1940 and opened in 1942 with a match between local teams. It was renamed in 1966 to honor a famous player who played for the home team and later for FC Barcelona in Spain.
Fans call the ground "La Catedral del Fútbol", and some South American players nicknamed it "la Bombonera tica" for the pressure they feel from the Alajuelense crowd. The name honours Alejandro Morera Soto, who played for Alajuelense, FC Barcelona and Hércules CF. In 2019 the club's centenary was marked with a "Seguiremos Latiendo" day and a match of club legends.
The ground lies in Barrio El Llano, a short ride from Alajuela's centre and within easy reach of Juan Santamaría airport. The upper tiers of Sol Oeste, Sombra Sur and Sombra Este, added between 1979 and 1982, sit above the original lower stands, and the Palco Oeste of 1998 holds the radio and TV cabins. The pitch is synthetic Xtreme Turf, so surface conditions do not depend on rain.
The stadium uses solar panels on its roofs to generate power, showing how it has adapted to modern energy standards. Beyond football matches, it also hosts international youth tournaments and major concerts, demonstrating the venue's versatility.
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