Tigres UANL is a professional football club based in San Nicolás de los Garza, a city in the Monterrey metropolitan area of Nuevo León, Mexico. The club was founded in 1960 and currently plays in the Liga MX, the top tier of the Mexican football league system.
Tigres UANL is one of the most successful and popular clubs in Mexican football, having won 7 Liga MX titles, 4 Campeón de Campeones trophies, 2 Copa MX titles, 1 Campeones Cup and 1 Concacaf Champions League title. The club has a fierce rivalry with fellow Monterrey side C.F. Monterrey.
History
Tigres UANL was founded on March 7, 1960 by students at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) in San Nicolás de los Garza. The club was originally named the Club de Fútbol Estudiantil, intended to be an amateur team for the university.
In 1967, the club was admitted into the second division of the Mexican league, where they adopted the nickname Tigres (Tigers). In 1971 they were promoted to the first division where they have remained ever since.
First Titles
Tigres won their first major trophy in 1977, defeating UNAM Pumas to claim the Copa México. Their first league title came in 1978 under Brazilian coach Osvaldo Batocletti. In the 1980s, Tigres claimed two more league championships in 1982 and 1985.
Struggles and Relegation
The 1990s were a difficult period for Tigres, as they were relegated to the second division twice during the decade. However, a membership program known as “Socio Anima” helped bring financial stability to the club.
Return to Prominence
Under coach Ricardo Ferretti, Tigres returned to the first division in 2002 and soon became one of the top teams in Mexico. They won their first league title in 29 years in 2011 under Ferretti’s leadership.
Recent Success
In the 2010s, Tigres have established themselves as the most successful Mexican club of the decade. Highlights include:
- 5 Liga MX titles (2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019)
- 2015 Campeón de Campeones
- 3 Copa MX titles (2014, 2016, 2017)
- 1 Campeones Cup (2018)
- Back-to-back Concacaf Champions League titles (2020, 2021)
The club has also consistently qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup in recent years. Tigres stadium, Estadio Universitario, was renovated into a world-class facility in 2015.
Home Stadium
Tigres UANL play their home matches at Estadio Universitario in San Nicolás de los Garza. The stadium opened in 1967 and currently has a capacity of 41,650 spectators after renovations.
Estadio Universitario is located inside the University of Nuevo Leon campus and is owned by the university. The stadium has undergone significant upgrades in recent years:
- The original stadium was demolished in 2008.
- A new stadium was constructed at a cost of $130 million and opened in February 2015.
- It features amenities like luxury suites, restaurants, and training facilities.
- The fans are right on top of the action with steep seating sections close to the field.
The stadium has hosted many important matches including Liga MX finals, CONCACAF Champions League matches, and Mexico national team friendlies. The vibrant crowd and intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams has given Tigres a strong home-field advantage.
Colors, Crest and Nickname
Team Colors
Tigres UANL’s official team colors are gold and blue. Their home jersey is traditionally striped yellow and blue tops with blue shorts. The away kits are usually white, blue or black.
Gold and blue were chosen to represent the university colors when the club was founded in 1960. The colors have remained unchanged through the club’s history to preserve its identity with the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León.
Team Crest
The Tigres UANL crest features a tiger walking above the team name in a blue oval shape. The tiger represents the club’s nickname and mascot.
Images of tigers can be seen throughout the team’s facilities and on merchandise. Fans often wear tiger masks and costumes during matches.
The crest has changed slightly over the decades, but has featured a tiger consistently since the late 1960s when the nickname was adopted. The current version was introduced in 2007.
Nickname
Tigres UANL’s nickname is Los Tigres (The Tigers). The nickname was first used in the late 1960s after the club joined the second division of Mexican football.
According to legend, the tiger nickname refers to the team’s aggressive, combative style of play. Their tenacity reminded supporters of the fearsome nature of tigers.
The nickname also ties into the club’s home state of Nuevo León, whose name translates to “New Kingdom” from Spanish. Adding a tiger transformed the club identity to represent the Kingdom of the Tigers.
Ownership and Finances
Tigres UANL is one of the few Mexican clubs not owned by a corporation, instead being essentially owned by their parent university UANL. The club’s financial operations and major decisions are made by a board comprising university administrators, professors and alumni.
This direct university ownership creates a close link between Tigres and the student community. It also gives the club certain financial advantages compared to privately owned teams.
In recent years, Tigres has become one of the richest clubs in Liga MX. A major factor is their lucrative sponsorship deal with Mexican cement giant Cemex, which has been the main shirt sponsor since 2010. The Cemex relationship provides the financial resources to fund Tigres’ success.
According to Forbes, Tigres was the third most valuable club in Liga MX in 2022 worth over $200 million. They also have the highest average attendance in Mexico. The financial strength of the club is set to continue propelling their on-field achievements.
Fans and Rivalries
Fan Culture
Tigres UANL has one of the largest fan bases in Mexico with over 14 million fans across the country according to surveys. Their fans are known for their passionate support.
Some unique aspects of Tigres fan culture include:
- The club has over 125 officially recognized supporter groups.
- Fans wear tiger masks and elaborate tiger costumes to matches to embrace the club’s mascot.
- Estadio Universitario has a rowdy atmosphere with drums, chants and bouncing stands.
- After wins, fans celebrate by marching down “the Sultana of the North”, the main avenue in Monterrey.
Major Rivalries
Tigres UANL has long-standing rivalries with other major clubs:
Monterrey – Tigres’ biggest rivals. Known as the Clásico Regiomontano, the derby pits Monterrey vs. Tigres as the two biggest teams from the city. Matches between the clubs are intensely competitive.
Chivas – A rivalry between two of Mexico’s most popular and successful teams. Chivas and Tigres have a contentious history over the past decade as they contest for trophies.
América – The Los Angeles Times called this Mexico’s “most intense soccer rivalry.” There is little love between the clubs and their fans.
UANL Tigres Rivalries Table
Rival club | Series Name | Notable matches |
C.F. Monterrey | Clásico Regiomontano | 2011 Liga MX Final |
Chivas | Clásico de Clásicos | 2017 Liga MX Final |
Club América | Clásico Nacional | 2022 Campeón de Campeones |
These rivalry matches attract attention across Mexico as the animosity between the clubs raises the intensity and drama to higher levels.
Players
Tigres UANL has had some of the greatest Mexican players among its all-time roster like Tomás Boy, Gerónimo Barbadillo, Luis García, Claudio Núñez and more.
In recent years, Tigres has set itself apart by aggressively recruiting international talent from South America and Europe alongside domestic players.
Current Stars
Some standout players on the current Tigres squad include:
– André-Pierre Gignac – French striker, Tigres’ all-time top scorer with 144 goals. Won the 2015 Liga MX golden boot.
– Florian Thauvin – French midfielder. World Cup winner with France in 2018. Joined Tigres from Marseille in 2021.
– Luis Quiñones – Colombian attacking midfielder known for his dribbling skills and vision. With Tigres since 2019.
– Nico López – Uruguayan striker. Recruited in 2017 from Serie A side Cagliari.
– Juan Pablo Vigón – Mexican center back and club captain. Has made over 300 appearances for Tigres.
Foreign Stars
Some notable foreign players who have starred for Tigres UANL over the years include:
– Lucas Lobos (Argentina)
– Danilinho (Brazil)
– Damián Álvarez (Argentina)
– Emanuel Villa (Argentina)
– Rafael Sóbis (Brazil)
– Juninho (Brazil)
– Guido Pizarro (Argentina)
The influx of foreign talent has elevated the quality of play and provided veteran leadership to complement Mexican players groomed from the club’s youth academy.
Coaches
Ricardo Ferretti
No coach has made a bigger impact on Tigres UANL than Ricardo Ferretti. “Tuca” Ferretti has managed the club over two spells since 2000, winning 8 Liga MX championships.
Key facts about Tuca’s managerial tenure:
- Took over in 2000 with Tigres freshly relegated to avoid further disaster.
- Won promotion back to Liga MX in 2002.
- Left for Pumas in 2010 before returning in 2011.
- His 10 trophies makes him the most decorated Tigres coach ever.
- Has achieved CONCACAF Champions League glory.
- Third most successful coach in Liga MX history with 9 titles.
Ferretti’s success has come from creating a strong team ethic and never settling for second best. His demanding style has brought out the best from his Tigres squads season after season.
Other Notable Coaches
Some other notable managers in Tigres history:
– Osvaldo Batocletti: Led Tigres to their first Liga MX title in 1978.
– Eduardo de la Torre: Managed two championship teams in 1982 and 1985.
– Alberto Guerra: Had four stints as Tigres manager, winning the 1977 Copa México.
– Carlos Miloc: Won the 1981 league Coach of the Year award guiding Tigres to the finals.
– Nery Pumpido: Former Argentina World Cup winner as player and manager. Led Tigres to a league final in 2000.
– Miguel Mejía Barón: One of the most accomplished Mexican coaches. Managed Tigres in the late 1990s.
Honors and Achievements
Tigres UANL is Mexico’s most successful club over the past decade with over 20 total major domestic and international titles. Their major trophies include:
Liga MX
- Winners (7): 1977–78, 1981–82, 1984–85, 2010–11, Apertura 2011, Apertura 2015, Apertura 2016, Apertura 2017, Clausura 2019
Campeón de Campeones
- Winners (4): 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022
Copa MX
- Winners (3): Clausura 2014, Apertura 2016, Clausura 2017
Campeones Cup
- Winners (1): 2018
CONCACAF Champions League
- Winners (2): 2019–20, 2021.
InterLiga
- Winners (3): 2004, 2005, 2006
Tigres UANL have also finished as Liga MX runners-up seven times over their history.
Individual Awards
Tigres players and coaches have won major individual awards including:
– André-Pierre Gignac – 2015 Liga MX Golden Boot
– Timothée Kolodziejczak – 2017 Liga MX Golden Ball (MVP)
– Ricardo Ferretti – 3x Liga MX Coach of the Year
The club has consistently had players named in the Liga MX Best XI over the years.
Impact on Mexican Football
Tigres UANL has been one of Mexico’s most historically important soccer clubs. Some of their key contributions include:
– Providing opportunities for youth development – Many top Mexican players like Jared Borgetti graduated from the Tigres academy.
– Consistent contender – They have maintained elite status since the 1970s and won trophies across different eras. Tigres has qualified for 45 Liga MX playoffs, more than any other club.
– Commercial growth – Tigres has become one of the richest and most marketable Mexican clubs. They set an example for marketing, branding and monetization.
– Signing international stars – Tigres brought in expensive foreign talents years before other Liga MX clubs, raising the profile and competitiveness of the league.
– CONCACAF success – First Mexican club to win back-to-back CONCACAF Champions League titles (2020, 2021). This improved Mexico’s reputation in international club soccer.
The club’s passionate fans, fierce rivalries, trophies and superstar players ensure Tigres will continue having an outsized influence on Mexican fútbol.
Conclusion
Tigres UANL is a historic club that plays in Mexico’s top league Liga MX. Founded in 1960 and based in San Nicolás de los Garza, Tigres has established itself as the most successful Mexican team over the past decade with 7 league titles and over 20 major domestic and continental honors.
Key facts about Tigres UANL:
– Nicknamed Los Tigres (The Tigers) with the tiger as their emblem.
– Owned by the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León and associated with student life.
– Play home matches at the 41,000+ capacity Estadio Universitario.
– Fierce rivalries with Monterrey, América and Chivas.
– Their coach Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti is the most decorated manager in club history.
– Roster highlights include French striker André-Pierre Gignac, one of the deadliest finishers in Liga MX history.
– The only Mexican club to win consecutive CONCACAF Champions League trophies.
With fervent supporters, world-class players and sustained success across decades, Tigres UANL has cemented its status as one of Mexico’s most iconic and influential soccer institutions.