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Summer football in Maldonado: the Campus, the Depor and friendlies next to Punta del Este
In January, Punta del Este fills up with people who come to rest. Football squads, on the other hand, come to run. Pre-season coincides with high season, which is why the city of Maldonado, right next to the peninsula, long ago became a regular stop on the summer football circuit. If you are on the coast and get the football itch, this article is for you.
If you are looking for what to see on the peninsula or how to get to the Libertadores final, we have already covered that in our article on Punta del Este and the 2026 final. Here, we head to the stadium.
The Campus, the summer ground
The Estadio Domingo Burgueño Miguel (Domingo Burgueño Miguel Stadium) is in the city of Maldonado, the capital of the department, next to Punta del Este. It was built in 1994 and is part of the Campus Municipal, a sports complex with other facilities, which is why almost everyone simply calls it "the Campus".
From its early years it began hosting friendlies and pre-season tournaments named after sponsors. The Copa Hyundai and the Copa Conrad, among others, were played there. In the mid-2000s, the Copa Conrad brought the summer derby between Peñarol and Nacional to Maldonado, a match that nobody in Uruguay considers a friendly, whatever the programme says.
Argentine clubs in pre-season
The Serie Río de la Plata is the summer tournament that brings together Uruguayan, Argentine and other clubs at Uruguayan grounds. In January 2026, River Plate and Peñarol met at the Campus. They drew 0-0 and River won 4-2 on penalties.
The match finished so late that, while the final minutes were being played, it was already 18 January: the day Marcelo Gallardo, River's coach, turned 50. Rarely does a manager get his birthday wishes with a penalty shoot-out as a present.
Could you find stadiums on a map with no names? Try it for free on GeoFútbol (in Spanish or Portuguese).
Deportivo Maldonado, the home side
The Campus's home club is Deportivo Maldonado. It was founded on 25 August 1928 under the name Batacazo ("upset", as in a surprise win), which still survives as a nickname. It is also known as the Depor and the Verdirrojo ("green-and-red"), after its green and red shirt.
A few moments worth knowing:
- 2019: returned to the top flight after fifteen years away.
- 2023: played in the Copa Libertadores for the first time. It made its debut at the Campus against Fortaleza of Brazil, a 0-0 draw.
- 2025: won the promotion final against Atenas, the club from neighbouring San Carlos. A local derby with a big prize.
So in 2026 the Depor is back in the top flight, and the Campus has official league football as well as the summer kind.
How to catch a match on holiday
- Check the official fixture list. Summer venues and dates change from year to year, sometimes at the last minute. Follow the official websites and social media of the clubs and the tournament, which announce dates, kick-off times and ticket sales.
- Buy only through the channels they point you to. Avoid touts.
- Plan around the kick-off time. Many summer matches start at night. Getting back to the beach at one in the morning is part of the plan.
- Bring sun cream. Not for the night match, but for the next day: the players are doing pre-season, you are not.
Between a dip in the sea and a penalty, put your football memory to the test. Play GeoFútbol today, it's free (in Spanish or Portuguese).