The third Mexican venue at the 2026 World Cup might be the smallest, but it belongs to one of the country’s most famous clubs — and to a family whose name is woven through Mexican business and football. Estadio Akron in Guadalajara is the home of Chivas, and its ownership runs straight to the Vergara family.
With Guadalajara hosting four FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, here is the complete story of who owns Estadio Akron.
What Is Estadio Akron?
Estadio Akron is a 49,800-seat stadium in Zapopan, in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, that opened in 2010. It’s the home of C.D. Guadalajara — universally known as Chivas, one of Mexico’s two biggest and most beloved clubs. Praised for its grass-roofed, crater-like design, it’s sometimes called “El Templo Mayor.” For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA refers to it as “Estadio Guadalajara.”
Who Owns Estadio Akron?
Estadio Akron is owned by Grupo Omnilife, the company controlled by Amaury Vergara, who also owns Chivas. Amaury inherited control after the death of his father, Jorge Vergara — the businessman who founded the Omnilife nutritional-supplements empire, bought Chivas, and built the stadium.
So, like Monterrey’s Estadio BBVA, this is a case where the stadium and the club share one owner. The Vergara family, through Grupo Omnilife, controls both the building and the team that plays in it.
Estadio Akron Ownership at a Glance
| Party | Role | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grupo Omnilife | Owner | Vergara family company that owns the stadium and Chivas |
| Amaury Vergara | Owner & President | Inherited control from his father, Jorge Vergara |
| C.D. Guadalajara (Chivas) | Resident Club | Primary tenant; also owned by the Vergara family |
| Akron | Naming-Rights Holder | Mexican financial-services brand; name only, no ownership |
Who Owns Chivas (C.D. Guadalajara)?
Chivas are owned by Amaury Vergara through Grupo Omnilife. The club holds a special place in Mexican football for its long-standing tradition of fielding only Mexican players — a point of fierce pride for its enormous fan base. Because the same family owns the stadium and the team, the World Cup is, in effect, coming to the Vergaras’ own backyard.
The Naming Rights Story
The stadium has carried a few names. It originally opened as Estadio Omnilife (and was often called Estadio Chivas), before the Mexican financial-services brand Akron took over the naming rights, giving us Estadio Akron. As always, the naming sponsor owns the name, not the building. During the World Cup, even “Akron” disappears in favor of “Estadio Guadalajara.”
Estadio Akron at the FIFA World Cup 2026
Guadalajara is hosting four group-stage matches as “Estadio Guadalajara.” At roughly 48,000 seats for the tournament, it’s the smallest of Mexico’s three venues, joining the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. The venue underwent a renovation of more than 250 million pesos to be tournament-ready. See the full lineup in my World Cup 2026 stadium ownership guide.
Could the Ownership Ever Change?
There have been periodic reports over the years about potential investment in or sale of Chivas, given the club’s enormous value and fan base. But for now, Amaury Vergara and Grupo Omnilife retain control of both the club and the stadium. Any future change would most likely involve the team and stadium together, since they’re held by the same family.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who owns Estadio Akron?
Grupo Omnilife, controlled by Amaury Vergara, owns Estadio Akron — and also owns the resident club, Chivas.
Q2. Does Amaury Vergara own both Chivas and the stadium?
Yes. Through Grupo Omnilife, the Vergara family owns both C.D. Guadalajara and Estadio Akron.
Q3. What is Estadio Akron called during the World Cup?
It is referred to as “Estadio Guadalajara” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Q4. Is Estadio Akron the smallest World Cup venue?
It’s the smallest of Mexico’s three venues and one of the smallest in the whole tournament, with roughly 48,000 seats for the event.
Q5. How many World Cup matches will Guadalajara host?
Four group-stage matches.
My summary: Grupo Omnilife and Amaury Vergara own both Estadio Akron and Chivas, while Akron rents the name. For four matches in 2026, the home of Mexico’s all-Mexican club becomes “Estadio Guadalajara” on the World Cup stage.
