Benfica Stadium or Estádio da Luz, officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Lisbon, Portugal. Opened on 25 October 2003, it replaced the original stadium of the same name, which had a capacity of 120,000 seats. The current stadium, owned and operated by S.L. Benfica, has a seating capacity of 65,592 after recent expansions to accommodate people with motor disabilities.
Designed by HOK Sport (now Populous), the stadium cost €162 million to construct and was built with a focus on transparency and light, featuring a polycarbonate roof supported by steel arches. It is a UEFA category four stadium, making it one of the largest and most modern stadiums in Europe. The stadium has hosted key events, including the UEFA Euro 2004 Final, the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final, and the 2020 UEFA Champions League Final. It is also a potential venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Portugal will co-host with Spain and Morocco.
The stadium serves as the home ground for S.L. Benfica, their women’s team, and occasionally the Portugal national football team. It has hosted more than 17 million spectators since its inauguration. The opening match saw Benfica defeating Nacional with a score of 2–1.
Notable matches include the UEFA Euro 2004 Final, where Greece defeated Portugal, and the 2014 Champions League Final, where Real Madrid triumphed over Atlético Madrid. The stadium also supports concerts, having hosted performances by Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Rammstein.
The name "Estádio da Luz" originates from the nearby Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz, meaning "Church of Our Lady of Light", and refers to the Luz neighbourhood, not directly to light itself.
The Estádio da Luz, officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, is located in Lisbon, Portugal, and serves as the home stadium for S.L. Benfica, one of the country’s most prominent football clubs. Its history traces back to the original stadium, which opened in 1954 and was also called Estádio da Luz. The old stadium had a massive seating capacity of 120,000 and hosted numerous iconic matches. However, as time progressed, the need for a modern facility grew, and the original structure was demolished in 2003.
The construction of the new stadium began in 2003, designed by HOK Sport (now Populous), a firm known for designing world-class sports venues. The project cost €162 million and was completed in time for its inauguration on 25 October 2003. The opening match featured Benfica defeating Uruguayan club Nacional 2–1, with Nuno Gomes scoring the first goal in the new stadium.
The stadium was built with a seating capacity of 65,642, which was later expanded to 65,592 to include spaces for individuals with motor disabilities. It features a polycarbonate roof supported by four steel arches, allowing natural light into the arena and giving it a distinctive design.
In its early years, the stadium gained prominence by hosting the UEFA Euro 2004, including the final where Greece defeated Portugal 1–0. It has also hosted the UEFA Champions League Finals in 2014 and 2020. Additionally, it serves as the venue for key matches of the Portugal national football team.
Beyond football, the stadium has hosted concerts by global artists such as Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, and Rammstein. It continues to serve as a multi-purpose venue, with Portugal proposing it as one of the venues for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the country will co-host with Spain and Morocco.
Today, Estádio da Luz remains a central hub for football and other events, symbolising modern sports infrastructure in Portugal.
An adequate terrain, with good accessibility and enough room for future expansion, was identified in the Benfica neighbourhood's north-east end. Being located in the limit between the Benfica and the Carnide neighbourhoods, though, the new stadium was at first known as "Estádio de Carnide". It was always the objective of the club to own both the stadium and the terrains, though at first a lease was made on the municipal terrains, with a final buy-out occurring only in 1969.
The plans for the sports complex had been sketched as early as the late 1940s, by João Simões, a former player for the club. Driven by the club's president, Joaquim Ferreira Bogalho, the associates coped with an increased fee for supporting the building costs for the new stadium, offered large donations, and some went as far as to work themselves on the building yard on holidays or weekends.
There was even a "cement campaign", whereby large quantities of cement bags were offered to the club. The works officially started on 14 June 1953. Less than two years after, and at a cost of 12,037,683 escudos, on 1 December 1954 (a national holiday), the 40,000 capacity-crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural match against rivals FC Porto.
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