Estadio Benito Villamarín is a stadium in Seville, Spain, and the home of Real Betis since its completion in 1929. It has a capacity of 60,721.[2]
History
Construction
As early as 1912, the Spanish architect Aníbal González Álvarez-Ossorio had an initial design of a stadium for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. The executive committee has commissioned the architect Antonio Illanes del Río to complete the design in 1923.[3] Several locations were considered for the new stadium when finally the current location was chosen by commissar Cruz Conde.[3] The technical study for its construction was carried out by Manuel María Smith who has designed the San Mamés Stadium of Bilbao in 1913.[3] The construction works were launched in 1923 and finally completed by the end of 1928.[3]
Inauguration to 1939
Estadio de la Exposición in 1929
The newly built Estadio de la Exposición was officially inaugurated on March 17, 1929, hosting an international match where Spain defeated Portugal 5-0. In 1936, Real Betis gained the lease of the stadium and became its sole tenant.[citation needed]
During the Spanish Civil War, Seville City Council requisitioned the stadium and handed it over to the military. The stadium suffered major damages as a result of the war and required renovation. The work was carried out with the help of Gonzalo Queipo de Llano, and the stadium was reopened on March 12, 1939.[citation needed]
After the Benito Villamarín era
In 1958, the extension of the northern and southern stands was carried out by the architect Antonio Delgado y Roig. In 1959 electric lighting was installed with 4 towers of 48 spotlights each.
On August 12, 1961, the stadium became owned property by Real Betis. Few days later, the stadium was renamed after Benito Villamarín who served as the club president between 1955 and 1965. The stadium was blessed by Cardinal José Bueno y Monreal.
Between 1971 and 1973, the northern and southern stands were entirely demolished to be rebuilt. With continuous expansion works during the 1970s, the capacity of the stadium was increased up to 48,500 spectators. However, major renovation works were carried out between 1979 and 1982 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the capacity of the stadium was increased up to 50,253. The stadium hosted 2 group matches during the tournament.[4]
Panorama of the stadium from the pitch level
Current status
In 1997, the stadium was renamed after the then-club president Manuel Ruiz de Lopera. However in 2010, Real Betis fans voted to change the name of the stadium back to honor former club president Benito Villamarín.[5]
The stadium in 2008Sunset in Seville over the Estadio Benito Villamarín in 2014
In 2016, the southern stand of the stadium was demolished for expansion. After the most recent redevelopments, the total capacity of the stadium was increased from 52,000 to 60,721.[2] The expansion work was completed in August 2017 in time for the 2017–18 La Liga season.[6]
