Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez / Estadio Romelio Martínez

The stadium in Barranquilla replaced the Estadio Romelio Martínez, which had served as the home of Atlético Junior since 1934, marking a shift in the city’s infrastructure that has lasted since 1986.

The pitch itself is a hybrid surface, with synthetic fibres injected into the natural grass to withstand the wear of international fixtures and local derbies alike.

It has hosted a number of significant tournaments, including the opening ceremony of the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the final of the 2021 Copa América. The venue is also associated with the career of Roberto Meléndez, whose name was added to the stadium’s title in 1991 to honour the Colombian football legend. The capacity was reduced during a renovation for the U-20 event, but the scale of the bowl remains impressive, particularly when the floodlights switch on at night.

There is no under-soil heating, a detail that may matter less in Barranquilla’s climate. Atlético Junior have played here for decades, and the ground continues to be the primary venue for the Colombia national team when they play in the region.