Estadio Ingeniero Hilario Sánchez

Hilario Sánchez Stadium
Estadio Hilario Sánchez
Full name	Estadio Ingeniero Hilario Sánchez
Former names	Estadio 27 de Septiembre; (1995–2006)
Address	Mendoza 1100; San Juan; Argentina
Owner	C.A. San Martín
Capacity	26,500
Field size	105 x 75 m
Surface	Grass
Construction
Opened	9 September 1951; 73 years ago
Renovated	2007
Tenants
	San Martín

Estadio Ingeniero Hilario Sánchez is a football stadium in the city of San Juan in Argentina. It is owned and operated by C.A. San Martín. With a capacity of 26,500 spectators, it is the second biggest stadium in San Juan Province after Estadio del Bicentenario.^[5]

The stadium was named after engineer Hilario Sánchez Rodríguez (1925–1987), former goalkeeper and then president of San Martín (1971–1983), regarded as one of the most prominent executives of the club.^[1]

Overview

The stadium was inaugurated on Monday, 9 July 1951 in a friendly match between San Martín and Independiente Rivadavia. San Martín won 3–1.^[3] During the presidency of Hilario Sánchez, the club added a lighting system to the stadium, and built new concrete grandstands which replaced the old wooden stands.^[1]

Six months after the passing of Sánchez (29 May 1987), the Executive Committee (leaded by Miguel Sánchez, Hilario's brother)^[2] decided to name the stadium after him. Nevertheless, it would be changed to "Estadio 27 de Septiembre" (to commemorate the date of foundation of San Martín)^[2] in 1995. Nevertheless, the stadium returned to the "Hilario Sánchez" name in 2006.^[1]^[2]

The venue was renovated in 2007 because San Martín had promoted to Primera División after defeating Huracán in the 2007 promotion playoff.^[6] and the stadium needed a bigger capacity to host matches in the top-division league. Therefore a new grandstand for 14,000 people was built and the stadium increased its capacity. Works included construction of new press booths.^[5]

Notable matches

One of the San Martín's most outstandings achievements playing in Hilario Sánchez stadium occurred on 13 April 2013, when the squad beat Boca Juniors 6–1,^[7] with goals scored by Humberto Osorio (3), Jorge Luna, Lucas Landa, and Sebastián Penco.^[8]^[9]

The stadium hosted a Argentina national team match, when the squad then coached by Diego Maradona played a friendly game vs Costa Rica, on 26 January 2010.^[10] Argentina won 3–2, with an attendance of 16,000.^[11] It was the second time Argentina played a match in San Juan.^[12]