Club Deportivo Universidad Católica, known as Universidad Católica, is a professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
club based in
Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...
,
Chile
Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...
. Founded in 1937 they play in the
Primera División, the top flight of
Chilean football. The team has played its home games at
Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo since 1988.
Universidad Católica has won the third most league championships at a national level. In domestic football, the club has won 28 trophies; a record 16
Primera División de Chile titles, 2
Segunda División
The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Segunda División, commonly known as Segunda División or La Liga 2, and officially known as LaLiga HyperMotion for sponsorship reasons, is the men's second professional association football division of the Spa ...
de Chile, 4
Copa Chile
The Copa Chile (''Chile Cup'') is an annual cup competition for Chilean football teams. Due to time constraints and club pressure, the trophy was cancelled in 2000, but returned in 2008. Its precursor was the Campeonato de Apertura (''Opening Ch ...
, 4
Supercopa de Chile
The Supercopa de Chile (''Supercup of Chile'') is an annual one-match football official competition in Chile organised by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP).
This competition serves as the season opener and is played between t ...
, a Copa Apertura, a
Copa República. In international competitions, Universidad Católica have won 1 trophies;
Copa Interamericana
The Copa Interamericana () was an international association football, football competition endorsed by CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean) and CONMEBOL (South America). Established in 1969, it was discontinued in 1998 after CONCACAF ...
(1994).
In
1993
The United Nations General Assembly, General Assembly of the United Nations designated 1993 as:
* International Year for the World's Indigenous People
The year 1993 in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands had only 364 days, since its ...
, Universidad Católica was the runner-up in the most important international tournament in South America: the
Copa Libertadores de América
The CONMEBOL Libertadores, also known as Copa Libertadores de América (), is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the highest level of competition in South American club football. The tourname ...
, losing in the finals against the defending Libertadores' Champion
São Paulo
São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
. Universidad Católica has reached the semi-finals in the
Copa Libertadores
The CONMEBOL Libertadores, also known as Copa Libertadores de América (), is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the highest level of competition in South American club football. The tournam ...
four times (years
1962
The year saw the Cuban Missile Crisis, which is often considered the closest the world came to a Nuclear warfare, nuclear confrontation during the Cold War.
Events January
* January 1 – Samoa, Western Samoa becomes independent from Ne ...
,
1966
Events January
* January 1 – In a coup, Colonel Jean-Bédel Bokassa takes over as military ruler of the Central African Republic, ousting President David Dacko.
* January 3 – 1966 Upper Voltan coup d'état: President Maurice Yaméogo i ...
,
1969 and
1984
Events
January
* January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888.
* January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeas ...
).
The club's most successful player is
José Pedro Fuenzalida with eleven titles, and the player with most appearances is
Mario Lepe with 639 games. Its traditional rival is
Universidad de Chile
The University of Chile () is a public research university in Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the co ...
, they contest the
Clásico Universitario.
History
Founding and beginnings in professional football
While the club was born as one of the many sport branches of the
Universidad Católica de Chile, officially founded in 1937, it began, strictly speaking, around 1910, when students of the university would reunite to play football matches, frequently facing historical rival
Universidad de Chile
The University of Chile () is a public research university in Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the co ...
.
In time, the idea of creating a professional club emerged, and on 21 April 1937,
the club officially and legally began. It made its professional debut, in the second division, against the
Universidad de Chile
The University of Chile () is a public research university in Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the co ...
. Universidad Católica won its first League title in the 1949 season.

In December 1956, Universidad Católica was placed at the bottom of the
league table and relegated to Segunda División for the first time in its history. On 10 November 1956, Universidad Católica won the
Segunda División
The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Segunda División, commonly known as Segunda División or La Liga 2, and officially known as LaLiga HyperMotion for sponsorship reasons, is the men's second professional association football division of the Spa ...
title after defeating
Deportes La Serena by 3–2 and gained promotion straight back up to the top division, with captain
Sergio Livingstone and
Raimundo Infante claiming the top scorer award. In the 1970s, Universidad Católica was facing an institutional, the team ended the
1973 Primera División tournament at the bottom of the table, Universidad Católica was relegated to
Segunda División
The Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Segunda División, commonly known as Segunda División or La Liga 2, and officially known as LaLiga HyperMotion for sponsorship reasons, is the men's second professional association football division of the Spa ...
for the second time in its history. In 1975, Universidad Católica won the
title
A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify their generation, official position, military rank, professional or academic qualification, or nobility. In some languages, titles may be ins ...
and therefore returned to Primera División to play the 1976 season.
In 1993, Universidad Católica reached their first ever
Copa Libertadores
The CONMEBOL Libertadores, also known as Copa Libertadores de América (), is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the highest level of competition in South American club football. The tournam ...
final. The team had previously eliminated clubs
Atlético Nacional (2–0, 1–2 in round of 16),
Barcelona
Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...
(3–1, 1–1 in quarterfinals) and
América de Cali (1-0, 2–2 in semifinals). In the
finals
Final, Finals or The Final may refer to:
*Final examination or finals, a test given at the end of a course of study or training
*Final (competition), the last or championship round of a sporting competition, match, game, or other contest which d ...
, between the two legs after a heavy defeat away la Catolica won the second leg but lost
São Paulo
São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
the title on aggregate 5–3. With
Manuel Pellegrini
Manuel Luis Pellegrini Ripamonti (; ; born 16 September 1953) is a Chilean professional Manager (association football), football manager and former Football player, player who is the head coach of Real Betis. As a coach, he has managed clubs in S ...
as manager, on 1 November 1994, after beating
Saprissa 5–1 at
San Carlos de Apoquindo with goals by
Andrés Romero,
Alberto Acosta
Alberto Federico 'Beto' Acosta Tabizzi (born 23 August 1966) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a striker.
In a professional career which spanned 18 years (nearly 700 official games and more than 250 goals), he pla ...
,
Juvenal Olmos,
Miguel Ardiman and
Rodrigo Barrera, Universidad Católica became the second Chilean team to win a
Copa Interamericana
The Copa Interamericana () was an international association football, football competition endorsed by CONCACAF (North, Central America and Caribbean) and CONMEBOL (South America). Established in 1969, it was discontinued in 1998 after CONCACAF ...
, they also achieved theÂ
1995 Copa Chile title.
In 1997 the club celebrated its 60th anniversary with a friendly tournament where they beat
Ajax Amsterdam
Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax (), also known as AFC Ajax, Ajax Amsterdam, or commonly Ajax, is a Dutch professional Association football, football Football team, club based in Amsterdam, that plays in the , the top tier in Dutch football. ...
3–2 in the Copa 60º Aniversario de Universidad Católica.
In the 21st century
Universidad Católica won the title
2002 Primera División (Apertura) after beating
Rangers de Talca
Club Social de Deportes Rangers is a Chilean football (soccer), football club based in the city of Talca. The club was founded November 2, 1902 and plays in the Chilean Primera División B, second level of the Chilean football system. Their home g ...
4–0 in final at
San Carlos de Apoquindo, with
Juvenal Olmos as manager. In 2005 the club has been reemerged in international competition, advancing to the
2005 Copa Sudamericana semifinal before being knocked out by the powerful
Boca Juniors
Club Atlético Boca Juniors () is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Boca, a neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. The club is best known for its men's professional Association football, football team which, since its promotion in 1913 ...
from Argentina, who would go on to win the tournament. On 22 December, Universidad Católica won their nine
Chilean Primera División (Clausura) title, after beating
Universidad de Chile
The University of Chile () is a public research university in Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the co ...
's in a penalty shootout at
Estadio Nacional. In 2006 the team made a good presentation in the
Copa Libertadores
The CONMEBOL Libertadores, also known as Copa Libertadores de América (), is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the highest level of competition in South American club football. The tournam ...
, but was eliminated at the last minute by
Tigres UANL
Club Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, abbreviated as Tigres UANL and simply known as Tigres or internationally as Tigres de México, is a Mexican professional Association football, football club based in the Monterrey metropo ...
of Mexico and failed to advance beyond the group stage.
Católica again played
2008 Copa Libertadores
The 2008 Copa Libertadores de América was the 49th edition of the Copa Libertadores, CONMEBOL's premier annual international club tournament. This marked the first year the competition was sponsored by Spanish bank Grupo Santander, Santander. As ...
with no luck, being eliminated in the group stage by goal difference by
River Plate and
América. In
2010 Copa Libertadores, their performance was no better, finishing third in group stage behind
Universidad de Chile
The University of Chile () is a public research university in Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the co ...
and
Flamengo
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo (; ), more commonly referred to as simply Flamengo, is a Brazilian multi sports club based in Rio de Janeiro, in the neighborhood of Gávea. It was founded and named after the Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo n ...
. In the 2010 season a 3–2 defeat to
Colo Colo in October gave Colo Colo a seven-point lead in the league with seven match of the season remaining. A victory over
Cobreloa 3–2 at
Estadio Municipal de Calama, put them one point away from their first title since 2005. In the last match, Universidad Católica defeated
Everton 5–0 to secure the club's ten Chilean
Primera Division title and end a five-year trophy drought.
In the 2011 season they finished in second place in
Chilean Primera División. They also reached the
2011 Copa Chile final where they faced
Deportes Magallanes
Magallanes is a Chilean football club based in San Bernardo, Chile. They play in the Primera B de Chile, after being relegated from the Chilean Primera División in 2023.
History
The club was on October 27, 1897, with the name Atlético Escuel ...
.
Universidad Católica won 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out after the match finished 1–1.
In
2011 Copa Libertadores, Católica finished first on the group stage, and then advanced to the quarter-finals, knocking out
Grêmio of Brazil on the best 16 round, and falling to
Peñarol
Club Atlético Peñarol (), more commonly referred to as Peñarol, is a Uruguayan professional football club based in Montevideo. The club currently competes in the Uruguayan Primera División, the highest tier in Uruguayan football.
The nam ...
of Uruguay 2–0 in Montevideo and winning their home match 2–1, which was not enough to advance. In 2012 the club again played
Copa Libertadores
The CONMEBOL Libertadores, also known as Copa Libertadores de América (), is an annual continental club football competition organized by CONMEBOL since 1960. It is the highest level of competition in South American club football. The tournam ...
, under coach and former player
Mario Lepe, finished last on the group stage, winning only 1 home game and losing on their away games in Colombia and Bolivia. In
Copa Sudamericana 2012, Universidad Católica advancing to the semifinal before being knocked out by the powerful
São Paulo
São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...
from Brazil, who would go on to win the tournament.
On April 30, 2016, Universidad Católica won the
Primera Division Clausura title in 2016 for the first time in six years. Universidad Católica won the title on the last matchday after beating
Audax Italiano 2–1. On 15 September 2016, the club won the
Supercopa de Chile
The Supercopa de Chile (''Supercup of Chile'') is an annual one-match football official competition in Chile organised by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP).
This competition serves as the season opener and is played between t ...
for a first time defeating
Universidad de Chile
The University of Chile () is a public research university in Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the co ...
2–1 in the final. After, Universidad Católica won the
Primera Division Apertura, the title was won on 8 December, where Universidad Católica faced
Deportes Temuco
Club de Deportes Temuco is a Chile, Chilean Soccer, football club based in Temuco, AraucanÃa Region. It currently plays in the Primera B de Chile, Chilean Primera División B, holding home games at the new ''Estadio Municipal Germán Becker''.
T ...
at
Germán Becker. Two goals in the last half-hour secured Universidad Católica a 2–0, with
Mario Salas leading the team towards its first Bicampeonato for winning two national titles in a row.
Four consecutive Chilean Primera División
With
Beñat San José as manager, Universidad Católica won the title 2018 on the last matchday after beating
Deportes Temuco
Club de Deportes Temuco is a Chile, Chilean Soccer, football club based in Temuco, AraucanÃa Region. It currently plays in the Primera B de Chile, Chilean Primera División B, holding home games at the new ''Estadio Municipal Germán Becker''.
T ...
2–1. In 2019, with
Gustavo Quinteros Universidad Católica won their 2th
Supercopa de Chile
The Supercopa de Chile (''Supercup of Chile'') is an annual one-match football official competition in Chile organised by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP).
This competition serves as the season opener and is played between t ...
and won a second consecutive
Primera División title. Due to the
2019 Chilean protests, the competition was suspended since mid-October with six matchdays still left. On 29 November 2019,
ANFP's Council of Presidents voted to conclude the season. The title was the 14th official league in the club's history. In the 2010s, Universidad Católica won five league championships, a
Copa Chile
The Copa Chile (''Chile Cup'') is an annual cup competition for Chilean football teams. Due to time constraints and club pressure, the trophy was cancelled in 2000, but returned in 2008. Its precursor was the Campeonato de Apertura (''Opening Ch ...
and two
Chilean Supercups.
On 14 February 2020, with
Ariel Holan Universidad Católica secured their third consecutive
Primera División title, they also achieved the semi-finals of
Copa Chile
The Copa Chile (''Chile Cup'') is an annual cup competition for Chilean football teams. Due to time constraints and club pressure, the trophy was cancelled in 2000, but returned in 2008. Its precursor was the Campeonato de Apertura (''Opening Ch ...
. Days after winning the title, Holan announced his resignation as Universidad Católica and in March, Gustavo Poyet was appointed coach, signing a two-year contract, and Universidad Católica won their 3rd
Supercopa de Chile
The Supercopa de Chile (''Supercup of Chile'') is an annual one-match football official competition in Chile organised by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP).
This competition serves as the season opener and is played between t ...
. In
2021 Copa Libertadores, Católica finished second on the group stage, and then advanced to the round of 16, before being knocked out by the
Palmeiras from Brazil, who would go on to win the tournament. On 30 August 2021,
Gustavo Poyet was sacked from his managerial position, one day after
Cristian Paulucci was announced as the new coach. On 20 January 2021, Universidad Católica won their four
Supercopa de Chile
The Supercopa de Chile (''Supercup of Chile'') is an annual one-match football official competition in Chile organised by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP).
This competition serves as the season opener and is played between t ...
title, after beating
Ñublense's in a penalty shootout. On 4 December 2021, Universidad Católica were confirmed
2021 Primera División champions, reaching four consecutive league titles.
Crests and colours
Its official
fight song
A fight song is a rousing short song associated with a sports team. The term is most common in the United States and Canada. In Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand, these songs are called the team anthem, team song, or games song. First associated ...
is the ''Hymn of the Club Deportivo Universidad Católica'', based on the song
Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!.
Crests
The first crest had a design consisting of an interlacing of two initials of the club, "UC", in dark blue on a white shirt.
File:Escudo Antiguo Club Deportivo Universidad Católica.svg
File:Escudo Club Deportivo Universidad Católica.svg
Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
Grounds
Universidad Católica has owned four stadiums:
Estadio Universidad Católica, located in the Maestranza and Marcoleta sector;
Campos de Sports de Ñuñoa, which already had an extensive history in Chilean sports;
Estadio Independencia, located in the homonymous commune of
Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...
and inaugurated on October 12, 1945; and
San Carlos de Apoquindo.
After moving between grounds, the team moved to the Independencia Stadium in 1945, which remained its home ground for 26 years and which was demolished because of the financial problems of the club, and started to play at
Unión Española
Club Unión Española S.A.D.P. is a professional football club based in the Independencia neighborhood, commune of Santiago, Chile currently participating in the Primera División de Chile.
History
Foundation, Amateur Era and First seasons
...
Stadium, the
Santa Laura. After that, Universidad Católica moved its home matches to
San Carlos de Apoquindo, which was inaugurated on 4 September 1988 with a match against
River Plate.
Universidad Católica has won various trophies while playing home games at the San Carlos de Apoquindo, including the
Chilean Primera División
The Chilean Primera División () is a professional association football league in Chile and the highest level of the Chilean football league system. Founded in 1933, it is organized by the Asociación Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (ANFP). The l ...
in 2002 (Apertura tournament), 2010, 2016 (Clausura tournament), 2019 (Season where the team received the trophy at home without playing the last games due to the
social outbreak of that year) and 2020.
In 1994, Católica faced Saprissa of Costa Rica in the final of the
1993 Copa Interamericana at the stadium, winning with an aggregate score of 6-4 (3–1 in favor of each team in the home and away games, and 2–0 in extra time of the tiebreaking game).
Records and statistics
Mario Lepe holds the record for most Universidad Católica appearances, having played 639 first-team matches (76 matches for Copa Libertadores de América) from 1982 to 2000. Andrés Romero comes second with 484 appearances. José MarÃa Buljubasich is Universidad Católica's all-least beaten goalkeeper, with 1352 minutes (4th on IFFHS ranking).
Universidad Católica's all-time highest goalscorer in official competitions is Rodrigo Barrera with 118 goals, surpassing
Raimundo Infante's 113 goals in 2002.
Four other players have also scored over 100 goals for Universidad Católica:
Alberto Fouillioux (1957-1975),
Néstor Isella (1963-1970),
Osvaldo Hurtado (1980-1988t)
and the previous goalscoring record-holder
Raimundo Infante (1941-1956).
Infante
Infante (, ; f. ''infanta''), also anglicised as "infant" or translated as "prince", is the title and rank given in the Iberian kingdoms of Spain (including the predecessor kingdoms of Aragon, Castile, Navarre, and León) and Portugal to the ...
being Universidad Católica's top goalscorer of all time in La Liga history with 103 goals.
The
IFFHS
The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) is an organisation that chronicles the history and records of association football. It was founded in 1984 by Alfredo Pöge in Leipzig. The IFFHS was based in Abu Dhabi for so ...
ranked the team in 8th place in 2012. The club has reached notoriety, both in a national and South American level, as the owner of one of the best infrastructures and training centers in the continent. As such, it is a good source of young talents, which occasionally rise to stardom in the club. Its most recent youth academy produced player known worldwide is
Gary Medel, currently playing for Italian side
Bologna FC, among other clubs such as Boca Juniors, Sevilla and Internazionale, as well as playing a big role in Chile's 2010 and 2014 World Cup squads.
Officially, the highest attendance figure for a Universidad Católica match is 77,890, which was for a Primera División match at
Estadio Nacional on 11 January 1967. Universad Católica has also set records in Chilean football, most notably the most seasons won in a row (four, during 2018–2021).
Support and rivalries
Universidad Católica is the third club with the largest following in Chile, with approximately 13% of the total Chilean football fans according to research published in 2006 by Fundación Futuro, according by Spanish newspaper agency
Marca in 2012 have approximately 9% and according by Adimark in 2018, have a 7% of the total Chilean football fans.
Clásico Universitario
There is often a rivalry between the two clubs from academic roots, where the game between Universidad Católica and
Universidad de Chile
The University of Chile () is a public research university in Santiago
Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the co ...
is known as "
Clásico Universitario". It is the oldest confrontation between two clubs from academic roots, as the first confrontation goes back to the University Classic of 1909.
Rivalry, both in sports and in academic issues, made these matches between the universities become more and more important, eventually reaching the national status of "Universities' Derby".
This ''clásico'' has been recognized by FIFA as the most traditional of Chile. They met for the first time on 13 June 1937 in matchday three of the first
Serie B
The Serie B (), officially known as Serie BKT for sponsorship reasons, is the second-highest division in the Italian football league system after the Serie A. It has been operating for over ninety years since the 1929–30 season. It had b ...
at the Estadio Militar.
These two teams have played twenty championship definitions against each other, Universidad Católica has won fourteen and Universidad de Chile six.
Honours
*
* shared record
Players
The
Chilean Football Federation rules allow a maximum of seven foreign players per team, but only five can be on the
pitch at any one time. Currently, Católica has six foreign players.
First-team squad
Youth Academy
Out on loan
2025 Summer transfers
In
Out
Club captains
Since the establishment of the club in 1937, 19 players have been club captain of Universidad Católica.
Personnel
Current technical staff
*Last updated: 14 April 2024
*Source:
Management
*Last updated: 26 December 2021
*Source:
Other sports sections
*
Universidad Católica (sports club)
See also
*
Universidad Católica de Chile
References
External links
*
CDUCatolica.com (archived)
Ceatolei (archived)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Club Deportivo Universidad Catolica
Universidad Catolica
Association football clubs established in 1937
Sport in Santiago, Chile
Multi-sport clubs in Chile
University and college association football clubs
1937 establishments in Chile
U