Located in the Laureles comuna of Medellin, the stadium is currently used mostly for football matches by Atlético Nacional and Independiente Medellín, the most popular clubs in the Antioquia Department.

On occasion, the stadium has held Colombia national team matches too.

The stadium was inaugurated on 19 March 1953 with a friendly match between Antioquia XI and Club America.

[2] The stadium was named after Atanasio Girardot, a Colombian revolutionary leader who fought alongside Simón Bolívar.

In 2021, the stadium was renovated to prepare for the 2021 Copa América, which was originally to be held in Argentina and Colombia.