Akron Stadium; Host Venue for #Canelo Ryder

Mexico’s biggest fight of the year, Canelo Alvarez vs. John Ryder, is approaching and will be held at Estadio Akron. The expansive arena is located in Jalisco, Mexico, and serves as an architectural benchmark in Mexico due to its modern and inventive design. The stadium’s 49,850 seats are covered by a sleek white, asymmetrical, curved roof that stems from a hill of exterior grass walls.

Construction on Estadio Akron formally began in May 2007, after Club Deportivo Guadalajara announced its intention of wanting to build a stadium of its own in February 2004. Finally, on July 29, 2010, a gala dinner was held at the stadium to recognize the finished arena and commence the friendly first soccer match that would be held at the stadium the following night— Sacred Flock vs. Manchester United. This match was held not only to showcase the new stadium, but also to celebrate soccer player Javier Hernández’s transfer from Sacred Heart to Manchester United. Hernandez removed his Guadalajara jersey at the game’s halftime, changed into a Manchester United jersey, and finished the match playing for his new team.

The first major international event for the stadium was held on August 11, 2010, where the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Finals took place. Later, in 2011, the stadium hosted the 2011 Pan American Games opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico. The stadium also co-hosted the 2020 World Cup. Estadio Akron is a great marker of pride among many Mexican people as it has been the host of events like the Mexican national football team being awarded the football Gold Medal after beating Argentina.

Though the stadium is home to one of Guadalajara’s professional football (soccer) clubs, the stadium is used as a multipurpose center that has hosted numerous events in Guadalajara. Estadio Akron is a very popular concert venue in Mexico and has hosted artists such as Bruno Mars, Cold Play, Elton John, Aerosmith, and Paul McCartney, and looks forward to hosting The Weeknd later this year.

We are excited to see Estadio Akron make history and host its first-ever boxing match on May 6, 2023. Stay tuned!