Movistar Arena (Buenos Aires)

Movistar Arena is a multiuse indoor arena with a seating capacity of 15,000. It is situated in Villa Crespo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The arena was inaugurated in 2019 as a replacement of the DirecTV Arena and is located on the premises of the Atlético Atlanta club. The naming rights of the arena were acquired by Telefónica's cell phone division, Movistar, until 2057.[1] Managed by the multinational company ASM Global, the arena is the most significant concert venue in Argentina and the second largest indoor arena in the country.[2]

Movistar Arena
The arena during a concert in 2022
Map
LocationHumboldt 450, Villa Crespo
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Coordinates34°35′39″S 58°26′53″W / 34.59417°S 58.44806°W / -34.59417; -58.44806
OwnerMovistar Argentina
OperatorASM Global
Capacity15,000
Construction
Broke ground2014
Opened1 November 2019; 4 years ago (1 November 2019)
Construction cost$38,000,000
Website
movistararena.com.ar

History

edit

The property where the arena is located was originally owned by Club Atlético Atlanta until 1991 when the club had to sell it due to bankruptcy.[3] It was later acquired by a company that remained closed for over fifteen years, leading to a state of abandonment. In 2005, the property was expropriated by the Government of the City of Buenos Aires and re-concessioned to the football club.

Construction of the stadium commenced in 2014 under the management of the company Lugones Center. However, due to insufficient funds, the project faced a halt in 2015, leaving the half-finished concrete structure abandoned. In late 2017, the project was resumed by Buenos Aires Arena S.A., a specialized company.[4] To ensure the venue operates at an experienced and international level in terms of services, the international firm ASM Global was contracted as its operator.

The arena had its grand opening on 1 November 2019 with a concert by Tini as part of her Quiero Volver Tour. The event featured special guest performances by Karina and Luis Fonsi. The concert was broadcast live on Movistar Play, the social networks of Movistar Argentina, and TNcom.

Transport

edit

Movistar Arena is conveniently located one block away from Avenida Corrientes, Avenida Dorrego and Avenida Juan B. Justo. Public transportation options include access via the Urquiza Line at Federico Lacroze station, as well as the Line B subway at Dorrego station. Additionally, 21 bus lines and the EcoBici bike-sharing system provide connectivity between the city and the arena.

Events

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Movistar acquires naming rights deal for Buenos Aires arena". Coliseum. 21 October 2019. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Movistar Arena Argentina | Se siente". 8 February 2020. Archived from the original on 8 February 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  3. ^ Schachter, Silvio (16 March 2019). "Megaestadio en Villa Crespo. Una trama de irregularidades, ilícitos y corrupción". ContrahegemoniaWeb (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  4. ^ Hecker, Pablo. "Buenos Aires Arena fue habilitado y Movistar será su main sponsor". www.cronista.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 June 2022.