From Ecuador to Bolivia, altitude stadiums Corinthians could visit in the Libertadores | OneFootball

Corinthians will learn their 2026 Copa Libertadores group on Thursday. According to Meu Timao, as a pot 2 side they could be sent to stadiums above 2,000 metres, and they have not played at altitude since 7 June 2023.

Potential Ecuadorian opponents in pot 1 are LDU and Independiente del Valle. A tie with the latter would take them to Estadio Banco Guayaquil, 2,850 metres above sea level, where their only visit ended in a 3-0 defeat and exit from the 2023 group stage.

Facing LDU would mean a first game at Estadio Casa Blanca, 2,734 metres, in 26 years. The clubs’ sole meeting there saw Corinthians win 2-0 in the 2000 Libertadores, with goals from Luizão and Dinei.

Corinthians cannot meet teams from the same pot. Pot 3 contains altitude trips to Peru’s Cusco FC, who play at Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, 3,350 metres, the third-highest in this edition, and Bolivia’s Always Ready, who host in El Alto at over 4,000 metres. Across two meetings with Always Ready, Corinthians failed to win and lost 2-0 in one.

Altitude is less of a factor in pot 4. Independiente Medellín play at Estadio Atanasio Girardot, roughly 1,495 metres above sea level, a level which, according to medical studies, does not significantly affect players’ physical performance.

Historically, above 2,000 metres, Corinthians have played 16 matches, with five wins, seven draws and four defeats, scoring 18 and conceding 16, a return of approximately 45.8%.

Source: Meu Timao