Estadio Christian Benitez Betancourt
Guayaquil, Ecuador
The Estadio Christian Benítez Betancourt sits at the heart of the Parque Samanes complex in Guayaquil, where Av. Francisco de Orellana meets Av. Paseo del Parque. It is not an old place, having opened in 2014, but it carries a specific weight for the city. The ground was built as a tribute to the late footballer Christian Benítez, meaning the atmosphere is tied to a specific person rather than a century of history.
Inside, the pitch is natural grass. This is a functional football ground.
The most significant moment for the stadium arrived with the 2020 Supercopa Ecuador final. This was the first official match in Ecuador to use VAR technology, bringing a shift in how the game is officiated to this specific patch of grass.
The venue serves as the home for Guayaquil City F.C., and the connection between the club and the city is visible in the way the stands are utilised.