Football Museum

Weathered murals and banners outside Estadio Centenario, where the Football Museum sits, hint at both history and heroics. Planning a trip isn’t complicated, but knowing the best times, how to arrive, and what to expect helps visitors blend in with the regulars and really soak up the atmosphere.

• Best time to visit: Late morning to early afternoon during weekdays, especially from March to November, allows visitors to avoid crowds and enjoy exhibits at their own pace. Match days, particularly when the local club plays, bring larger crowds and excitement—but also longer lines.
• How to get there: Buses from central Montevideo run frequently and stop steps from the museum. Taxis and ride-share services offer an easy, direct option. For those who enjoy a stroll, Parque Batlle’s leafy paths lead straight to the stadium and museum.
• Accessibility: The museum is mostly wheelchair-friendly, with ramps and elevators for main areas. Families with strollers or older visitors will find seating scattered around exhibits.
• Average visit duration: Most visitors spend between 60 and 90 minutes touring the museum, but true fans often stay longer to savor details and explore the stadium grounds.

Inside the Football Museum, each room feels like entering a new period of Uruguayan and world football. Decades-old jerseys, faded by both time and celebration, hint at stories handed down across generations. Screens flicker with footage from famous matches, while trophies gleam under spotlights as reminders of hard-fought victories. Not everything inside shouts for attention—some of the greatest finds are humble, tucked in corners where few linger.

• The Jules Rimet Trophy Replica: A highlight for visitors, this replica celebrates Uruguay’s first ever World Cup win in 1930, an event that crowned both a nation and a stadium.
• Historic Football Memorabilia: Signed boots, hand-painted banners, and match balls that once flew across legendary pitches—all displayed with pride and context.
• Estadio Centenario Tour: Guided walks through locker rooms and player tunnels let visitors retrace the steps of football legends.
• Photo-worthy spots: The rooftop view over the pitch captures Uruguay’s football spirit, while the mural of the national team stirs local pride. Don’t miss photos by the giant bronze boots—a quirky favorite among fans.
• Lesser-known gems: Permanent exhibits highlight women's football and lesser-broadcast local leagues, offering visitors a richer understanding of football’s evolving story here.
• Historical moments explained: Detailed displays reveal why Uruguay’s back-to-back Olympic wins—and subsequent 1930 World Cup—left such a deep mark on world football history.