Sevilla stadiums: Sevilla still stick with their historical Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium

The first stage

During the first 50 years, the Spanish club played in numerous stadiums around their city. Some of the most popular home grounds they used to play in were La Trinidad Field, the Mercantile Field, 'La Victoria' Stadium, and the Estadio de Nervión. Right from the first days, they never failed to fill their stadiums with football fans from Seville or the country as well. Los Nervionenses played in the Estadio de Nervión from 1928 and left this venue in 1958 to move to a whole new stadium in a new era. 

Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium 

An intention to build a new stadium was started in 1937 when the club bought land near their current stadium at that time (Estadio de Nervión). However, it took almost 20 years for the construction of Sevilla's new home ground to officially start. In 1954, there was a competition among architects to find out the best design for the new stadium of Sevilla, and Manuel Muñoz Monasterio, who also designed for Real Madrid’s home ground Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, eventually won.

After four years, in 1958, the new venue was born and named after the club’s former president Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. The stadium initially had a capacity of 70,329 all-stand slots. The inaugural game was held on 7 September 1958 between Sevilla and Real Jaen in a friendly match. 

Ramón-Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in the first stage

Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium was chosen to hold the 1982 FIFA World Cup, so its capacity was reduced to 68,110. The group match between the Soviet Union and Brazil witnessed 68,000 attendees and the result was 2-1 to Brazil. Three weeks later, the semi-final game between France and West Germany also took place here with 70,000 attendees. Two clubs scored three goals each within 90 competing minutes, but West Germany won by scoring five penalty goals over four from France. 

The ground was also proudly selected to host the 1986 European Cup (now Champions League) Final between Steaua București and Barca with the ultimate winning belonging to the Romanian club, along with the reduction of capacity to approximately 60,000. 

During the mid-1990s without a certain time, Sevilla made their last adjustment to their home ground. Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium’s capacity was finally reduced to only 42,714, but all-seat instead of all-stand due to FIFA rules. 

Since 1961, the national team of Spain has played 26 matches in the stadium, going undefeated with 21 victories and 5 draws. In 2005, an allegorical mosaic designed by Ben Yessef was constructed over the southern gate to commemorate the club's centennial, portraying the history of Seville. The club's badge blew in the wind above it.

The stadium now houses the club's media offices, as well as an official store, a club museum, and a trophy case.

Sevilla has only lost seven times at home in European competition: AZ Alkmaar in the 2006–07 UEFA Cup, CSKA Moscow in the 2009–10 UEFA Champions League, Real Betis in the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League, Manchester City in the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League, and Bayern Munich in the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League, and Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. 

This Spanish club also announced the start of their plan to expand the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium to reach a capacity of 47,000 seats. 

Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium

References

Wikipedia