It is frequently referred to locally as Estadio de la UNSA due to its location on university grounds.
The stadium's altitude is approximately 2,335 meters above sea level, impacting visiting professional teams.
It was inaugurated in 1996 with a friendly match between FBC Melgar and Alianza Lima.
The facility served as one of the primary venues for the 2004 Copa América hosted in Peru.
The seating capacity of 40,370 makes it one of the few stadiums in Peru that meets international standards for major continental tournaments.
The stadium is part of a larger university sports complex that includes supplementary training pitches and administrative buildings.
Estadio Monumental Virgen de Chapi is the largest stadium in Arequipa and the third-largest in Peru by capacity. Owned by the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA), it serves as the home ground for the local professional football club FBC Melgar. The stadium features a capacity of approximately 40,000 spectators and is situated within the university campus grounds. Construction of the facility was completed in the mid-1990s to support sports development in the Arequipa region. It hosted multiple matches during the 2004 Copa América, including several group stage games and a quarter-final. The stadium's structural design includes an athletics track surrounding the natural grass pitch, typical of multi-purpose Peruvian stadiums. It remains a key venue for high-attendance football matches and major cultural events in southern Peru.
From the upper tiers of the grandstand looking toward the pitch with the Misti Volcano visible in the background.
Bring a hat and high-SPF sunscreen as the high-altitude Andean sun is intense even on cloudy days.
Check the local FBC Melgar fixture list in advance if you plan to visit during a match day to manage crowd expectations.
Stay hydrated, as the dry climate and high altitude can lead to dehydration faster than in coastal cities.
Do not attempt to access the pitch or restricted locker room areas without official press or staff credentials.
Closed to the public except during scheduled sports events, concerts, or university-sanctioned activities.
Standard stadium behavior applies; prohibited items usually include glass bottles, belts with large buckles, and pyrotechnics.
