A massive storm flooded Estadio Akron and postponed the Chivas-Tigres clash for several hours, with the pitch left visibly underwater. Yet the drainage system worked flawlessly, restoring the field as if nothing had happened. The match ended scoreless, but the stadium’s response impressed FIFA as it readies to host four World Cup games next year.
Getty Images Sport"The pitch was ready in record time"
The venue’s state-of-the-art drainage system quickly cleared the water, leaving the pitch in optimal condition for play. The game eventually resumed and finished in a 0-0 draw, but the real victory belonged to the stadium’s maintenance and engineering teams.
Chivas’ Director of Stadium Operations Ainara Zatarain shared her satisfaction afterward, revealing that FIFA inspectors were impressed with how the facility handled the extreme weather.
“FIFA is happy with us. They were able to witness firsthand how the stadium responded to a very strong storm. The drainage worked perfectly, and the pitch was ready for play in record time," she said.
With four World Cup matches scheduled to be played at Estadio Akron next summer, Wednesday’s successful test under adverse conditions provided valuable reassurance for both local organizers and FIFA officials that the venue can withstand even the harshest weather challenges.
AdvertisementAFPMonths in the making
Sebastián Muñoz, Turf Manager at Estadio Akron, explained that the newly installed and highly advanced drainage system – along with months of specialized technical work – was key to keeping the surface at FIFA World Cup standards.
“The result speaks for itself. The system extracted approximately 390 liters of water, the equivalent of four centimeters drained in a short period of time, which allowed us to keep the surface stable and playable," he said. "The soil remained very firm and the ball rolled perfectly, thanks to the materials used both in the base and on the surface, as well as the choice of Bermuda grass, a species that grows laterally and provides great firmness.”
Getty Images SportWorking towards the World Cup
Zatarain added that Wednesday’s storm served as the ultimate proof of the stadium’s readiness.
“Wednesday put everything we’ve implemented at the stadium to the test, and it passed with flying colors," she said. "We drained all the water on the field in 35 minutes. FIFA was happy with us and confirmed that everything we installed is working perfectly and on schedule. They told us we’re practically ready to host the World Cup and the four world-class matches scheduled for our stadium.”
AFPChivas' home ground…
With the World Cup less than 10 months away, the Estadio Akron will be primarily used for Chivas' home matches. The club's next home match is this Saturday, when they host defending Liga MX champions Toluca.
