La Bombonera: reviews, price and practical tips

Visiting La Bombonera

Three stands pressed right against one another in a U-shape: that is what the legendary stadium of La Bombonera looks like. This unusual architecture in Argentina is actually the result of a mundane real estate dispute. If La Bombonera can look like an unfinished stadium from a distance, that is simply because it is. Facing a severe shortage of space, the capital of Argentina could not provide the architect at the time with a large enough plot to fit four full stands. Since 1938, this uniquely shaped building has hosted matches for the equally legendary club Boca Juniors. Founded by Italian immigrants (fans are nicknamed Xeneizes, meaning the "Genoese"), the club is one of the most prestigious institutions in Argentine football, alongside its famous neighbor and rival River Plate. The clashes of this intense rivalry make up the core of sporting life for Porteños. The rest of the world can only admire, either in person or on video, the sparks thrown by the wild cohorts of fans crammed into these stands.

The box of chocolates

While the official name of the stadium is Estadio Alberto J. Armando (used since the year 2000 in memory of one of Boca Juniors' iconic presidents), the nickname La Bombonera is much more commonly used. This comes from a fun piece of trivia. While architect Viktor Sulčič was working on the stadium project, he received a box of chocolates for his birthday. Looking closely at the gift, the architect reportedly had a flash of inspiration: the future home of Boca Juniors had to be a replica of a box of chocolates. Even before construction began, La Bombonera already had its nickname.