Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex and sports venues: the heart of sport in Medellín

If Medellín beats with the passion for sports, that pulse has a name: the Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex. Located in the Laureles–Estadio neighborhood, this venue is much more than a soccer stadium: it's the epicenter of the city's sports culture and a space where thousands of people train, compete, and dream every day.

The Atanasio Girardot is not only the home of the classic Paisas that make the stands throb with excitement, it's also a world-class complex with venues for multiple disciplines. Surrounding its lawn are Olympic-sized swimming pools, athletics tracks, a velodrome, basketball courts, coliseums, and gyms open to the public. Here, sport permeates every corner, and the community embraces a space that inspires both professional athletes and those simply looking to stay active.

A city made for community sports

The Atanasio Girardot complex is a reflection of Medellín's significance as a sports destination: accessibility, community, and excellence. Whether you arrive on a typical Monday or right in the middle of a championship final, you'll always find people jogging on the athletics track, swimmers training in the pools, young people practicing BMX, or volleyball and basketball teams energizing the arenas.

This daily dynamic has ensured that sport in Medellín is not limited to the elite, but rather a part of everyone's life. In each setting, amateur athletes and international champions coexist, sharing the same motivation: to move, train, and push their own limits.

A space with history and future

Since its inauguration, the Atanasio Girardot has been the scene of historic moments that have shaped an entire generation: from soccer matches that have written memorable chapters to international championships that put Medellín on the world sports map.

But this complex doesn't just thrive on its past. Today, it's also a symbol of innovation and openness to new disciplines. At the María Luisa Calle Sports Complex, for example, we find a velodrome that has produced champions like Mariana Pajón, and BMX tracks that attract cyclists from around the world. At the Andrés Escobar Complex in Belén, unconventional sports like beach volleyball and archery flourish, proving that there's always room for diversity in Medellín.

A place open to sports tourism

For visitors to Medellín, a visit to the Atanasio Girardot and its sports facilities reveals how sport is part of the city's soul. You can attend a soccer game at the stadium, jog on the lanes, swim in Olympic-level pools, or simply walk through a space filled with collective energy.

Plus, getting there is easy thanks to the Metro system (Estadio station) and its proximity to entertainment areas like La 70 and the Laureles neighborhood. This allows the sporting experience to be complemented by cafes, bars, restaurants, and nightlife just steps from the venues.

Medellín, capital of sports in motion

What makes the Atanasio Girardot and other sports facilities unique isn't just their infrastructure: it's the way Medellín experiences them. Here, each venue is a meeting point, a space where talents, friendships, and dreams flourish.

Sports in Medellín aren't just a workout: they're a cultural and social experience that connects the city to the world. From a classic paisa to an international competition, from personal training to a Sunday bike ride, every moment in these spaces demonstrates why Medellín is a destination where sports flourish with grit and passion.