Rosario Central supporters are preparing for the 2026 Copa Libertadores, and with the tournament’s group stage draw now complete, the club is finalizing logistical details. A key change involves seating arrangements at the Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, as Rosario Central adjusts to meet international security standards for the competition. The club began selling season ticket packages for the group stage on Monday, but not without a significant alteration for some loyal fans.
According to a statement released by the club, a portion of Rosario Central’s season ticket holders will be relocated to accommodate visiting supporters. The decision, made in accordance with the Plan Operativo de Seguridad (POS) submitted to CONMEBOL and the Argentine Ministry of Security, designates the Cordiviola and Génova Alto sections as the designated area for away fans. This impacts season ticket holders currently seated in those areas of the stadium.
The changes are exclusive to the Copa Libertadores tournament. Fans who regularly attend Liga Profesional matches in those sections will be able to return to their usual seats once the continental competition concludes. For the Libertadores matches, however, the club is working to minimize disruption while adhering to strict safety protocols.
Specifically, season ticket holders affected by the change will be reassigned seats within the same Cordiviola platea, though not necessarily their original location. This is due to the “pulmón de seguridad” – a security buffer zone – required by CONMEBOL regulations. The lower portion of the Cordiviola section will be entirely reserved, with netting and protective barriers installed to further separate the home and away supporters. This ensures a safe environment for all attendees, a priority for both the club and tournament organizers.
Libertadores Group Stage and Ticket Sales
Rosario Central was drawn into Group H for the 2026 Copa Libertadores, where they will face Independiente del Valle (Ecuador), Libertad (Paraguay), and Universidad Central (Venezuela). The club qualified for the tournament as the 2025 Liga Profesional champions, accumulating 66 points in 32 matches – the most in the Argentine league that year. This marks Rosario Central’s 14th appearance in the prestigious competition.
Ticket sales for the group stage are being conducted online through the club’s Sede Virtual platform. The sale is divided into two phases. The first phase, running from March 23rd to March 29th, is exclusive to existing season ticket holders in the local tournament. These fans are encouraged to purchase their Libertadores packages during this period to maintain promotional pricing. Those who wait for the general sale will forfeit the discounted rate.
The first day of sales, Monday, March 23rd, was exclusively for customers using Banco Macro credit cards. The second phase, beginning on March 30th, will open sales to all season ticket holders and then to the general public, offering any remaining available seats.
Rosario Central has a rich history in the Copa Libertadores, having participated in 98 matches since their debut in 1971. The club boasts a record of 45 wins, 23 draws, and 30 losses, scoring 163 goals and conceding 126. Their best performances came in the 1975 and 2001 editions, reaching the semi-finals in both instances. Juan Antonio Pizzi remains the club’s all-time leading scorer in the competition with 12 goals, closely followed by Marco Ruben with 11.
The 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage is scheduled to begin the week of April 7th and conclude on May 28th. Octavos de final matches will commence on August 11th, following a break for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Rosario Central’s schedule in Group H is as follows (all times are local venue time and UTC):
- April 9th: Rosario Central vs. Independiente del Valle – 19:00 (ARG/URU/CHI) / 17:00 (COL/PER/ECU)
- April 15th: Libertad vs. Rosario Central – 19:00 (ARG/URU/CHI) / 17:00 (COL/PER/ECU)
- April 28th: Universidad Central vs. Rosario Central – 21:00 (ARG/URU/CHI) / 19:00 (COL/PER/ECU)
- May 5th: Rosario Central vs. Libertad – 19:00 (ARG/URU/CHI) / 17:00 (COL/PER/ECU)
- May 19th: Rosario Central vs. Universidad Central – 19:00 (ARG/URU/CHI) / 17:00 (COL/PER/ECU)
- May 27th: Independiente del Valle vs. Rosario Central – 19:00 (ARG/URU/CHI) / 17:00 (COL/PER/ECU)
The adjustments to stadium seating, while potentially disruptive for some fans, are a necessary step to ensure a safe and secure environment for all attendees during the Copa Libertadores. Rosario Central is committed to providing a thrilling atmosphere for their home matches while upholding the highest standards of security.
The next step for El Canalla is preparation for their opening match against Independiente del Valle on April 9th. Fans are encouraged to visit the club’s official website for the latest updates on ticket sales and match information.
