Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), has officially confirmed the long-awaited return of away fans to domestic matches in Argentina. Speaking alongside Buenos Aires Security Minister Javier Alonso, Lanús president Nicolás Russo, and Rosario Central president Gonzalo Belloso, Tapia called it “a historic day that marks a before and after for Argentine football.”

The return will begin this Saturday with Lanús vs. Rosario Central, the first official test where away supporters — in this case, 6,500 Rosario Central fans — will be allowed in the stands. Clubs who are willing and able to host visiting fans will have the option to do so, with more matches expected to follow as part of a gradual rollout.

“This is just the beginning,” said Tapia. “We’ve been working with all security agencies to make this possible. It’s the return of the football we all want — with both fan bases in the stands.”

The pilot program will initially be limited to the province of Buenos Aires, but Tapia expressed hopes of expanding it to the city of Buenos Aires (CABA) soon.

To enhance safety, visitor tickets will be personalized with name and ID, and clubs will be responsible for the conduct of their fans. Minister Alonso emphasized the importance of eliminating criminal influence from stadiums, stating: “We can’t hand football over to criminal organizations. This is a step toward making the game safe and family-friendly again.”

It’s worth noting that away fans have already been present in Argentina for years—notably in the Copa Argentina, which has always been held at neutral venues, allowing both sets of supporters. However, in the domestic league, away fans have been banned since June 2013 following violent incidents—including the death of a Lanús supporter—which led to a blanket 12‑year prohibition.