Belgrano has begun procedures to move their home match against Club Atlético River Plate from their Barrio Alberdi stadium to the Mario Kempes, a decision that will allow away fans to attend. The fixture, corresponding to matchday 13 of the Torneo Clausura, is scheduled for the weekend of October 18th, though the exact day and time remain unconfirmed.

The move, publicly explained by the Cordoba club's treasurer Lucas Bustos, aims for a dual benefit. "Because it's an opportunity to help our budget, which we can never neglect and keeps us in order," Bustos wrote on his X account. He added that while the move might be inconvenient, it is done "for the benefit of the club, above everything and everyone."

Increased capacity and revenue

The change of venue would increase available capacity from 38,500 to approximately 57,000 seats. This expansion allows for a portion of tickets to be allocated to River Plate's supporters, generating significant economic income for Belgrano. The club's leadership considers this revenue key to meeting its financial commitments.

Bustos also argued for a "sporting benefit," noting that for his squad the Mario Kempes stadium "is synonymous with victory." The treasurer was responding to some fan criticism of the plan to leave their usual home ground. "We are putting Belgrano's convenience above everything and everyone," he stressed, underlining the responsibility to maintain the institution's financial health.

For River, this will be a new visit to a stadium that evokes the memory of the final lost to the same rival in 2011. However, it will mark the fourth consecutive away match with support from their fans, following games against Banfield, Atlético Tucumán and Sarmiento de Junín, as away supporters gradually return to stadiums outside Buenos Aires. Final confirmation and the exact number of tickets allocated to Millonario fans will depend on security operation approvals in the coming weeks.

Martin Demichelis's squad prepares for this test after the FIFA date break, focused on maintaining their performance on difficult grounds.