National Stadium, officially named Estádio Nacional, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Oeiras, Portugal. It is used mostly for association football matches, hosting the home games of the Portuguese national team and the Portuguese Cup final.
Opened on 10 June 1944, it replaced the original Campo Grande Stadium. The seating capacity of the stadium is currently set at 37,593. The stadium was designed by architect Miguel Jacobetty Rosa and had a construction cost of 18 million escudos (approximately €90,000).
A UEFA category three stadium, National Stadium hosted several matches of the 1967 European Cup final, as well as the 2004 and 2014 finals of the UEFA Cup. It was elected the most beautiful stadium of Europe in a 2014 online poll by L'Équipe. By its seventieth birthday, National Stadium had welcomed more than 17 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Portugal will co-host along with Morocco and Spain.
While the previous stadium was also officially named 'Estádio Nacional', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their official name, National Stadium. National Stadium is the name of the iconic stadium located in the parish of Oeiras, in the district of Lisbon. This official name is widely recognized and used since the original stadium's construction; the people of Portugal used to simply call it Estádio Nacional ('National Stadium'). Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'National Stadium'. This stadium holds a significant place in the history of Portuguese sports, having hosted numerous important events, such as the Portuguese Cup Final and international football matches. It is also noteworthy to mention that the National Stadium was the first stadium in Portugal built exclusively for football and athletics competitions. The stadium’s location is historically significant as well; it is situated in the 'Jamor' sports complex, which is a hub of various sports activities, ranging from rugby to golf. The National Stadium has a rich history, reflecting the country's love for sports, particularly football. It has witnessed many memorable moments, including the victories and defeats of the nation's most beloved football clubs. The 'Jamor' sports complex, where the stadium is located, also contributes to the stadium's historical significance. The complex offers diverse sports facilities and has become a symbol of sports in Portugal. Its vast green spaces and unique architectural style add to its charm and historical value. As such, the National Stadium is not just a sports facility; it is a landmark that encapsulates the Portuguese passion for sports.
An appropriate location, with excellent accessibility and sufficient space for potential expansion, was pinpointed at the southern end of the Jamor district. As it was situated on the junction between the Jamor and Alvalade districts, the new stadium was initially referred to as 'Estádio de Alvalade'.
The ultimate aim of the club was always to own the stadium and the grounds, though at first a lease was taken out on the municipal grounds, with a definitive buy-out only transpiring in 1971. The blueprints for the sports complex had been drawn as early as the late 1940s by Carlos Lopes, a former athlete for the club.
Propelled by the club's president, Fernando Santos, the members faced a heightened fee for backing the construction costs for the new stadium, made generous donations, and some even took it upon themselves to work on the construction site during holidays or weekends. There was even a 'cement campaign', where large amounts of cement bags were donated to the club.
The construction officially commenced on 10 August 1948. Less than three years later, and at a cost of 20,043,683 escudos, on 10 June 1951 (a national holiday), a 37,000-capacity crowd packed the stadium for the inaugural match against rivals Sporting CP.
National Stadium (1954): Information about the National Stadium in Portugal. https://www.nationalstadium.pt/history
National Stadium (The Cathedral) – until 2003: Comprehensive history and details about the National Stadium. http://www.stadiumdb.com/stadiums/por/estadio_nacional
The Light Doesn't Go Out, Preface, Prime Books, 2003 (ISBN 972-8820-07-0): A book detailing the history and significance of the National Stadium.http://www.primebooks.pt/light-doesnt-go-out
National Stadium 100 glorious years - The History 1, Edition and Content, S.A., 2003 (ISBN 989-554-099-X): A publication celebrating the 100-year history of the National Stadium. http://www.editionandcontent.pt/national-stadium-history
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