Estadio Olímpico Carlos Iturralde Rivero

Estadio Olímpico Carlos Iturralde Rivero opened on June 6, 1987.

It is a utility ground, though one that hosts concerts on a scale larger than its football matches. The capacity is frequently debated, with figures ranging from 15,087 to 21,050, though a 2009 renovation brought it to 18,000 to meet federation standards. Here, the structure has remained largely unchanged since the turn of the millennium.

The atmosphere shifts entirely when the teams are not on the field. The venue has hosted Luis Miguel on three occasions, with the 2006 concert drawing a crowd over 25,000 strong. On matchdays, however, the turnout is closer to 14,000, as seen when Venados FC defeated Pumas UNAM 3–1 in the Copa México in 2012. The pitch itself is natural grass, kept green by the Yucatán heat, while the running track around it remains unused except for athletics events.

There is no enclosed roof to keep the sun off the players, and the lighting towers stand bare against the sky. It is a functional space, one that has seen two clubs rise and fall within its boundaries. It does not claim to be a temple of football, but it is the only stadium of its size in Mérida. The concrete blocks show the wear of time, but the structure has held. It is a place where the heat takes the sting out of the visit, and where the local fans gather in the shade of the upper tier.