The Estadio Corona is a stadium in TorreĆ³n, Coahuila, Mexico, and the home stadium of Santos Laguna of Liga MX.
It was completed in 2009, it has a standard capacity of 30,000, with 20,000 for special events. The stadium's total cost was US$100 million. The stadium replaced the older Estadio Corona, built in 1970 with a capacity of just 18,000. The stadium is part of the Territorio Santos Modelo.
The inauguration of the stadium took place on 11 November 2009, with a football match between Santos Laguna and Santos FC. Before the game, New Orleans Saints cheerleaders, and a concert by singer Ricky Martin preceded the event. The party included some of the club's great players, including Jorge Campos, RenĆ© Higuita, Franco Baresi, Gabriel Omar Batistuta, George Weah, Enzo Francescoli, and Bebeto, as well as PelĆ©, who was responsible for giving the opening kickoff. The FIFA president at the time, Joseph Blatter, was also present. The opening statement was given by the President of Mexico Felipe CalderĆ³n, accompanied by Coahuila Governor Humberto Moreira. The first goal was scored by Vicente Matias Vuoso in the 6th minute of the game.[1]
On Saturday, 20 August 2011, a first division football match between Monarcas Morelia and Santos Laguna was suspended due to gunfire outside the stadium. During the 40th minute gunshots were heard and players, coaches, staff from both teams and referees ran for cover. Thousands of spectators ran onto the field or went under the seats to protect themselves.[2] The shootout happened outside the stadium when three vehicles refused to stop at a checkpoint and started shooting. Nobody inside the stadium was injured but one policeman outside the stadium was injured.[3]
The Estadio Corona is the most important part of the complex of the Territorio Santos Modelo (TSM), which has the following facilities:
