In 2003, the long tropical rainy season at the stadium caused Saprissa to apply and be granted by FIFA, permission to change the pitch from natural grass to synthetic turf, the then-only stadium in Latin America to have this type of turf. The stadium has also been used for Costa Rica national football team matches.
In 2003, due to a long tropical rainy season at the stadium, Saprissa sought and obtained permission from FIFA to replace their natural grass pitch with synthetic turf, making it the first stadium in Latin America to do so. The stadium has also been used for Costa Rica national football team games.