History and description

The stadium has a maximum capacity of just over 20,000 people, making it one of the smallest in Ecuador. The Estadio Banco del Pacifico Capwell was built in the 1940s as the new home of Emelec, though the stadium opened on 21 October 1945 with a baseball match. It has a maximum capacity of just over 20,000 people and is one of the smallest in Ecuador. The first football match at the stadium took place on 2 December of the same year, with a match between Emelec and a selection of the Manta-Bahia region (5-4). The stadium was named after the founder of the club, George Capwell.

In 1947, the Capwell Stadium hosted all of the games of the Copa America tournament that was held in Ecuador.

In 1959, Emelec moved to the new Estadio Modelo. By the late 1970s Estadio Capwell had fallen into a state of disrepair. At various moments the club was close to selling the stadium to real estate developers, but fierce resistance of Emelec's fans prevented this.

It took until the early 1990s for a large redevelopment project to start. This was completed in 1991, with a new stadium that could hold 28,000 spectators.

The Estadio Capwell was expanded in 1999 and 2006, but in the early 2010s the club started to make plans again for a larger redevelopment. In 2015, works started on the redevelopment which included the construction of a new main stand, four towers with suites in the corners, and an updated exterior. The redevelopment was completed in early 2017.

How to get to Estadio Capwell

The Estadio George Capwell is located in the heart of Guayaquil, just south of the city centre. The walk from Parque Seminario square in Guayaquil's centre takes about half an hour, while the walk from the southern edge of the Malecon promenade takes about 20 minutes. Metrovia fixed lane buses can reach the stadium with ease. The green line runs right past the stadium on the Avenida Quito. Get off at stop Estadio Capwell, and then follow the signs to Parque Centenario and onwards to the bus terminal.

If you are on the Metrovia near the Malecon and find that you are nearing the red line, take a bus south to stop El Astillero. From here it will be 10 minutes walk to the stadium.

Address: Estadio George Capwell, Guayaquil 090315

Emelec Tickets

Tickets for Emelec games can be purchased at the ticket office at the stadium, at the Emelec stands at the Riocentro Norte and Riocentro Sur shopping centres (in the north and south of Guayaquil), at the Hobbiecars stores at the Mall del Sol and Alban Borja shopping centres, or through the Comandato store located on 9 de Octubre Avenue and Garcia Avilez in Guayaquil's city centre. Emelec regularly sell out so buying in advance is recommended.

Depending on the opponent, ticket prices can range from $5.00 for a seat behind the goal to $25.00 for a box seat at the main stand. Expect to pay at least $20.00 for the derby against Barcelona.

Relevant Internet links

The website for SC Emelec, the official soccer club ofEcuador, is www.emelec.com.ec. The website for Visitaguayaquil, the official tourism website for the city of Guayaquil, is www.visitaguayaquil.com.ec