Atlético Nacional hosts Chapecoense in the match of eternal friendship

Some matches don't need three points on the line to matter. This September 26, at 4:00 p.m. (Colombia time), Medellín's Atanasio Girardot stadium will host a reunion loaded with history and emotion: Atlético Nacional will welcome Chapecoense in what both clubs are calling "the match of eternal friendship."

The news came from the Brazilian club's official account, which announced the friendly against the Antioquia side. This is no ordinary matchup. Nacional and Chapecoense are bound together by one of the most painful, and at the same time most noble, stories South American soccer has produced in recent years.

The story goes back to late 2016. Nacional and Chapecoense were about to face off in the Copa Sudamericana final. The plane carrying the Brazilian delegation crashed, killing the vast majority of those on board, including players, coaching staff, club officials and journalists. The tragedy shook the entire continent.

Nacional's response, in the midst of shared grief, was a gesture that is still remembered today: the Antioquia club asked that the Copa Sudamericana title be awarded to Chapecoense outright. The trophy went to Brazil without the final ever being played. Nearly ten years later, that gesture remains the reason both fan bases feel like family.

That's why this friendly is more than just another date on the calendar. It's a way of keeping that memory alive on the field, with both teams sharing the pitch once again, this time with nothing at stake but the memory itself.

For Nacional, coached by Lucas González, the match comes amid a busy schedule. The team had already played a friendly in Miami against América days earlier, and now adds this new match in September before returning to official competition. These games are useful for getting minutes in, testing lineups and keeping up competitive rhythm, though in this case the scoreboard will likely take a back seat to the symbolism of the occasion.

Match details

• Match: Atlético Nacional vs. Chapecoense
• Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
• Time: 4:00 p.m. (Colombia)
• Stadium: Atanasio Girardot, Medellín

Nacional fans know this story well by now, but every time Chapecoense sets foot in Medellín, or Nacional travels to Chapecó, the memory comes rushing back. No title needs to be on the line for this matchup to carry weight. The friendship, as both clubs put it, was already earned ten years ago.