Starting with a musical performance (usually criolla or salsa music), Noche Blanquiazul marks the introduction of the club's new players, followed by a friendly match against an international guest team. The match has generally been held at the Alejandro Villanueva Stadium. The event was first held in 1995.[2]
History
2023 Tarde Blanquiazul
The first edition of a formal team presentation event for the fans was held in the 1990s, with Alianza Lima becoming the first Peruvian club to implement an exhibition of this kind for its first team. The inaugural edition under the name Noche Blanquiazul took place in 1995 during the presidency of Pío Dávila Esquenazi, with Chilean side Green Cross as the opponent at the Alejandro Villanueva stadium. This precedent established a model that was later adopted by other Peruvian sports institutions.
In the following years, the event remained a tradition, attracting international clubs from various leagues, including Liverpool of Uruguay, Emelec of Ecuador, and Universidad Católica of Chile. The 2011 edition was an exception to the usual format: although the squad and the new kit were officially unveiled, no friendly match was played. Nevertheless, starting in 2012, the event has continued without interruption—except for the 2021 edition, which could not be held due to the COVID-19 pandemic—solidifying its place as a long-standing club tradition.
Building on the visibility and popularity of the men's team event, Alianza Lima expanded this presentation format to other sports disciplines. In 2023, the club organized the Noche Blanquiazul Femenina, an exclusive presentation for the women’s football team, becoming one of the first events of its kind to be televised in Peruvian football.[3] That same year, the Noche Blanquiazul Vóley was held to present the women’s volleyball team ahead of the start of the National Superior Volleyball League.[4]
Notable Matches
The Noche Blanquiazul is known for the international friendly match played as part of the event. Throughout its history, several noteworthy results have been recorded. In 2013, Alianza Lima achieved the largest victory in the event’s history, defeating Universitario de Sucre of Bolivia by a score of 6–1, making it the highest-scoring match in the history of the event alongside the 2010 fixture between Alianza Lima and El Nacional of Ecuador, which ended 3–4 in favor of the Ecuadorian side.[5]
The following year, in 2014, Uruguayan club Rentistas served as the opponent, with Alianza Lima securing the win; this edition also featured a tribute to former player Rafael Castillo. In 2024, the íntimo side held, for the first time in its history, an additional team presentation outside of Lima, specifically in the city of Trujillo, where they faced Universidad Católica of Chile in a match that ended in a goalless draw.[6][7]
Development and Cultural Aspects
The event serves as an opportunity for supporters to see both the players who remain at the club and the new signings for the upcoming season. Its structure follows a standardized format that includes the unveiling of the official kit the team will wear throughout the year, either preceded or followed by additional activities. These activities typically feature musical performances and the use of lighting and pyrotechnic effects to accompany the individual presentation of the squad and coaching staff to the fans. The event concludes with the friendly match scheduled against the invited international opponent.[8][9]
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