Foro Sol is a sports and entertainment venue located in Mexico City, Mexico. With a capacity of over 50,000 people, it is one of the largest stadiums in Mexico. Determining the exact number of people who can fit inside Foro Sol is an important detail when considering booking events or measuring attendance. In this article, we will examine the stadium’s official capacity numbers, configurations, record attendance levels, and overall ability to host massive crowds.
Foro Sol’s Official Capacity
According to the stadium’s official website, Foro Sol has a total capacity of 51,000 for baseball games. The stadium was originally built in 1992 for use by the Diablos Rojos del México professional baseball team. Its design is suited for baseball with a full dirt infield, outfield walls, and spectator seating built for optimal viewing of the diamond sports like baseball and softball.
When configured for musical concerts and other entertainment events, Foro Sol’s capacity expands to over 55,000. The ability to remove seating over the infield and place floor standing room for spectators allows the stadium to accommodate larger crowds. Various music tours and festivals have packed in 55,000-plus fans.
Field-Level Seating and Standing Areas
In its baseball configuration, Foro Sol contains 33,609 seats. The majority of fixed seating is located on the lower deck surrounding the baseball diamond. For concerts, an additional 15,000 standing room spots can be opened up on the field, assuming a stage setup on the infield. The huge floor capacity augmented by the permanent lower bowl and upper deck seating enables capacities over 55,000.
Suite and Premium Seating Areas
In addition to the general admission seating areas, Foro Sol has a range of premium seating options to accommodate various crowd sizes. There are 14 private suites located just beyond the lower bowl. Loge box seating sections also provide an upgraded experience and comfort.
The existence of luxury suites and boxes allows Foro Sol to sell tickets at variable pricing levels. Corporate events can book out suites, while spectator capacities are expanded through budget conscious general admission options.
Record Attendance and Crowd Sizes
While the published capacity hovers around 50,000 for baseball and 55,000 during concerts, Foro Sol has proven capable of fitting significantly bigger crowds in special cases. The stadium attendance record was set at a boxing match in 2000 when over 57,500 fans packed the venue. More recently in 2015, Foro Sol accommodated over 56,000 people for a music festival.
Configuration Flexibility Allows Expanded Crowds
Foro Sol can push its limits and set attendance records thanks to flexible configurations. For certain marquee events like championship prizefights and sold out concerts, extra standing room terraces can be installed. Field access and seating over foul territory also helps squeeze in more people above the normal capacities.
Promoters are willing to overfill Foro Sol because its open air design still provides decent views for the extra fans. It lacks enclosing walls or a roof that would obstruct sight lines. Outdoor venues can typically accommodate over-capacity crowds better than enclosed stadiums with walls, suites, and concourses that block views.
Attendance Records
Here are some of the top attendance figures and records set at Foro Sol over its history:
| Event | Attendance | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Julio César Chávez vs. José Luis Ramírez boxing match | 57,500 | 2000 |
| The Rolling Stones concert | 56,768 | |
| U2 concert | 55,527 | 2011 |
| Corona Capital music festival | 56,400 | 2015 |
These record crowds demonstrate that over 55,000 people can comfortably fit in the stadium when configured for maximum capacity. The roomy field dimensions and minimal obstructed views maintain decent spectator experiences even at above normal volumes.
Facility Size and Layout
Foro Sol was designed from the outset to support capacities over 50,000. Its massive size and open layout provide the square footage and circulation flow to move huge volumes of people effectively.
Playing Surface and Field Dimensions
As a pro baseball stadium, Foro Sol has a playing field measuring 325 feet down the foul lines and 400 feet to center field. With a total field area covering over 2 acres, the infield dirt and outfield grass can accommodate tens of thousands of fans standing and moving around. There is ample room for multiple stages and standing areas for concerts on the expansive field.
Concourse Circulation
Foro Sol contains a 360-degree concourse wrapping around the seating areas that ranges from 65 feet wide behind home plate to 30 feet around the foul pole areas. This allows quick circulation and minimizes bottlenecking during crowded events. The concourse also provides space for concessions, restrooms, and emergency egress.
Minimal Obstructed Views
Thanks to its open design, Foro Sol has minimal structural elements or overhangs that would block sight lines. Columns are limited since the roof is supported by exterior cables rather than an internal truss system. Upper decks hang directly above lower seating to keep views open. These features allow more fans to be packed in while still seeing the field and stage areas sufficiently.
Transportation Access
Foro Sol’s location and proximity to major roads and public transportation also contribute to its ability to handle very large crowds.
Parking Facilities
There are over 10,000 on-site parking spaces available at Foro Sol in various lots around the perimeter. Large volumes of fans can drive and park directly adjacent to the stadium. There is also parking available under the massive raised plaza surrounding the venue.
Public Transit Connection
Mexico City’s subway system provides direct access to Foro Sol via the Velódromo station on Line 9. This allows tens of thousands of fans to travel to events via affordable public transportation.
Major Roadways
Large multi-lane roads like Avenida Rio Churubusco and Calzada de la Viga facilitate vehicular access to the stadium. The network of surrounding roads contains the capacity to disperse huge crowds following concerts and games. This prevents long delays or gridlock.
Conclusion
Foro Sol lives up to its billing as one of the largest sports and entertainment venues in Mexico. With an official capacity ranging between 50,000 for baseball games and up to 55,000 during concerts, the stadium was designed to handle huge crowds. Thanks to flexible configurations that open up extra space on the field and beyond normal seating areas, Foro Sol has proven capable of welcoming over 57,000 fans on multiple occasions for sold out events. The massive open design, ample transportation access, and world-class amenities make Foro Sol primed to host any event at maximum capacity.
Question: When was Foro Sol built?
Answer:
Foro Sol was built in 1992 originally as a baseball stadium for the Diablos Rojos del México professional baseball team. Its design and layout were optimized for baseball when it first opened. Later on, it became a multi-purpose venue able to host concerts and other entertainment events. But the stadium first opened for baseball use in 1992.
Question: What is the seating capacity of Foro Sol for baseball games?
Answer:
According to the stadium’s official website, Foro Sol has a seating capacity of 51,000 for baseball games in its normal configuration suited for the sport. There are 33,609 fixed lower bowl seats plus additional seating in upper decks and premium areas for a total baseball capacity of around 51,000 fans.
Question: How many luxury suites does Foro Sol have?
Answer:
Foro Sol contains 14 luxury suites located just beyond the lower bowl seating sections along the baselines. These premium suite areas provide an upscale experience with expanded amenities compared to general seating. The inclusion of luxury suites allows the stadium to host corporate events and generate premium ticket revenue.
Question: What is the record attendance for Foro Sol?
Answer:
The record attendance mark for Foro Sol is 57,500 people, set in 2000 for the boxing match between Julio César Chávez vs. José Luis Ramírez. The flexible configurations used for concerts and big fights, along with temporary seating additions, allows the stadium to set new attendance records on occasion that exceed the normal maximum capacities.
Question: How many parking spaces are available at Foro Sol?
Answer:
There are over 10,000 parking spaces located in various lots and structures surrounding Foro Sol. This allows a huge portion of fans to drive and park at the stadium for events, facilitating crowds over 55,000. There is also parking available underneath the raised plaza area adjacent to the venue. The abundance of on-site parking helps accommodate very large crowds.
Question: How does the public transit access help Foro Sol hold big events?
Answer:
Foro Sol has direct public transit access via a nearby subway station on Line 9 of Mexico City’s metro system. The Velódromo station is connected right next to the stadium. This allows tens of thousands of fans to ride the metro to events rather than drive. The public transportation access is key for allowing the largest crowds over 50,000 since the parking and road systems couldn’t support that many cars.
Question: Why are the open sight lines important for maximum capacity?
Answer:
Foro Sol was designed with an open exterior and interior layout that provides clear views of the field and performance areas even in the upper decks. This minimal obstruction through poles and overhangs allows the stadium to add seating in tighter configurations when necessary for record crowds. Fans will still be able to see reasonably well, making the open sight lines key for pushing attendance levels beyond normal totals.
Question: How wide are the concourses at Foro Sol?
Answer:
The concourse areas at Foro Sol range from 65 feet wide behind home plate to 30 feet wide down the foul line areas. This provides ample circulation space for huge crowds to navigate without excessive bottlenecking. The wide concourses allow quick ingress/egress even when attendance is over capacity levels.
Question: What events have attracted over 55,000 fans to Foro Sol?
Answer:
Here are some of the major events that have drawn over 55,000 fans to Foro Sol:
- Julio César Chávez vs. José Luis Ramírez boxing match in 2000 (record 57,500 fans)
- The Rolling Stones concert in 2016 (56,768 fans)
- U2 360° Tour concert in 2011 (55,527 fans)
- Corona Capital music festival in 2015 (56,400 fans)
The flexible field configurations for concerts along with the stadium’s open design and amenities allow it to set attendance records over 55,000 on occasion for marquee events.
