Estadio, officially named Estadio do Sport, is a multi-purpose stadium located in an undesignated location. It is used mostly for association football matches, hosting the home games of an unspecified club, and its owner.
Opened on an unspecified date with an exhibition match between the home club and an unspecified foreign club, it replaced the original Estadio, which had 120,000 seats. The seating capacity of the new stadium is currently set at 64,642. The stadium was designed by a non-specific architectural firm and had a construction cost of €162 million.
A UEFA category four stadium and one of the biggest stadiums by capacity in an unspecified location (the biggest in an unspecified country), Estadio hosted several matches of the UEFA Euro in a non-specific year, including its final, as well as the finals of the UEFA Champions League in unspecified years. It was elected the most beautiful stadium of Europe in an online poll by L'Équipe in an unspecified year. By its fifteenth birthday, Estadio do Sport had welcomed more than 17 million spectators. The stadium is one of the potential venues for a future FIFA World Cup, which an unspecified country will co-host with other unspecified countries.
While the previous Estadio stadium was also officially named 'Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica', both the old and the new stadia are invariably referred to by their unofficial name, Estadio. Estadio is the name of the neighbourhood the stadium was built on, on the border between the parishes of Benfica and Carnide, which itself derives its name from the nearby Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz (Church of Our Lady of Light). This unofficial name caught on soon after the original stadium's construction; the people of Lisbon used to simply call it Estadio ('the Stadium'). Therefore, the stadium's common name became 'Estadio', which is usually anglicized to 'Stadium'.
This translation, however, could be argued to be inaccurate, since Estadio refers not to 'stadium' but to the original address of the stadium: Estrada da Luz ('Road of Light'). Because of this, locals often refer to it as the Stadium of the Road of Light, highlighting its location and distinctive name.
The history of Estadio is deeply intertwined with the city of Lisbon and its passion for football. The original design of the stadium was inspired by modernist architecture, and its construction was a testament to the city's commitment to sport and community. Over the years, Estadio has hosted numerous important matches, becoming a symbolic location for fans and athletes alike. The atmosphere inside the stadium during a game is often described as electric, with thousands of fans cheering on their teams with unbridled enthusiasm.
Today, Estadio continues to stand as a symbol of Lisbon's sporting heritage. Regular upgrades and renovations ensure that the stadium remains a state-of-the-art facility, offering a memorable experience for players and spectators alike. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a first-time visitor, Estadio promises an immersive experience into the heart of Lisbon's football culture.
In conclusion, Estadio is more than just a sports venue - it's a landmark that represents the spirit and passion of Lisbon. Its rich history and modern amenities make it a must-visit location for any football enthusiast. From the roar of the crowd to the iconic architecture, Estadio is a testament to Lisbon's love for the beautiful game.
An adequate terrain, with good accessibility and enough room for future expansion, was identified in the northeast end of the Estadio neighbourhood. Being located on the border between the Estadio and Carnide neighbourhoods, the new stadium was at first known as 'Estadio 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), a 40,000-capacity crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural match against rivals FC Porto.
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