Yuri shares her excitement at being the first Latina to open the Guadalajara Arena.

The countdown to the opening of the Guadalajara Arena has begun. The venue will open its doors on October 2nd with Maroon 5 , and this Wednesday, El Informador participated in a media tour where we literally went inside the kitchen and dressing rooms. The tour was led by Yuri, who will perform on October 11th and expressed pride in being the first Latina to step onto its stage.

“I'm the first Latina to open the arena and the second artist to perform on this stage. It's a huge responsibility, and it's a place that will be iconic, perfect for the show I want to put on. I didn't back down because I knew it would be majestic, and that's why I decided to present my new show at the Guadalajara Arena. I'm very excited,” the singer shared during the tour.

For Yuri, the venue represents a first-class space and a special connection with the Guadalajara public. “Guadalajara is very important to me; it's one of the most important cities in Mexico and the world. How great that you have this benefit of having an arena where world-class artists will come. I've been to the Arena CDMX and the Arena Monterrey, but the Arena Guadalajara is like your mother.”

A decade of gestation

The Guadalajara Arena project took nearly ten years to materialize. This was explained by Mario Barriga , the venue's director , who recounted to EL INFORMADOR the challenges they faced from planning to construction.

“We're excited about what's coming up; it's not just any project. It was actually nearly 10 years in the making. The group that operates the Arena Ciudad de México and the Arena Monterrey was interested in adding a venue in Guadalajara, but after initiating the process and securing the lease, the pandemic surprised us. The shortage of materials and rising prices for steel and glass complicated everything. Although the actual construction time was three years, the entire process stretched almost a decade. It's been quite a journey,” he noted.

The construction required the participation of more than 200 companies and represented an engineering challenge: the dome was designed without columns inside, ensuring visibility from any point. “There isn't a single column inside the dome, and that was a project on another level. Our grip can support more than 160 tons; for example, in Monterrey, the load record is held by Roger Waters with 110 tons. Here, we are more than prepared for any international production,” Barriga explained.

Cutting-edge technology and acoustics

In addition to its capacity—which will range from 20,100 to 20,400 people in a 360° format— the Guadalajara Arena boasts a design that prioritizes both the spectator experience and the viability of promoters. The mechanical and retractable seating allows the space to adapt to different formats, from 15,000 to 17,000 attendees in a 270° format. The possibility of holding outdoor events with stages inside and outside the venue was also considered.

The venue features more than 400 screens distributed throughout bathrooms, suites, and levels, an acoustic system with panels that prevent noise from filtering through, and a dome that even attenuates the sound of rain or hail. "We can have a completely dark show at 12 noon without having to wait until nightfall," Barriga explained.

Safety was another key aspect: from the fire protection system and visual and audible alarms to automatic protocols monitored in a control center. Every weld in the structure underwent laboratory testing, not just visual inspections, ensuring the building's solidity.

Impact on the city

The opening of the Guadalajara Arena, in addition to world-class artists, will bring economic and employment benefits. According to Barriga, each event will mobilize between 800 and 1,500 people in roles such as ushers, ticket agents, security personnel, and food and beverage vendors.

"We're going to close out the year with more than 20 events, some public and others private. The goal is to reach more than 100 events by 2026. With the World Cup approaching, we're also developing projects to attract tourists on non-match days, as is the case in any developing world country," the director said.

The venue's kitchens are striving for the H certification and are equipped to serve everything from snacks to dinners for up to a thousand people simultaneously. "This puts us at a level of quality unmatched by other venues. We can supply both the suites and the general areas, with an offering ranging from basics like hamburgers and pizzas to more specialized menus," he noted.

A city worthy of the spectacle

The opening of the Guadalajara Arena marks a milestone for a city that, despite its cultural tradition, lacked a venue specifically designed for large-scale events. Until now, large-scale events were held in venues such as the Nuevo Progreso Bullring and the Jalisco Stadium, while theaters, such as the Diana, offered limited-capacity options.

With the arrival of this new venue, Guadalajara is fully entering the international tour circuit . "Before, many shows were passed over because they didn't fit or were too expensive to set up due to the infrastructure required. Now that won't be a problem, and this will open the door for more international events," Barriga emphasized.

In Yuri's words, what's coming is just the beginning: "It's a place that will be iconic, a majestic space that will put Guadalajara on the world entertainment map."

YC