Apertura 2008 Liguilla Final - Stadium Previews

Where will the Apertura 2008 final be played? Here's a look at where Cruz Azul and Toluca call home.

Estadio Azul
Opened: January 1947
Location: Mexico City
Capacity: 35,000
Rank: 8th largest in Apertura 2008

One of Mexico’s oldest sporting venues, the Blue Stadium, is known for the odd distinction of having the pitch below street level. Thus, players literally play in a pit. During Apertura 2008, Cruz Azul won four, drew three, and lost two at home. In January 2009, work will begin on the club’s new stadium – Nuevo Estadio Azul.

Estadio Nemesio Díez
Opened: August 1958
Location: Toluca
Capacity: 27,000
Rank: 11th largest in Apertura 2008

La Bombonera is another old venue. Unlike Estadio Azul, the stadium hosted matches in the 1970 and 1986 World Cups. Up until the club’s entrance into the Copa Sudamericana, the stadium was without lights and played all matches during the day. The estadio was a fortress for Toluca during the Apertura 2008, as the club won six, drew one, and lost one at home.

-- Sean Grybos