There are only finishing touches left as the illumination is tested, floodlights being calibrated and grass getting stronger on the field. On September 16 the 6-year long reconstruction comes to a grand finale!

In November it will already be 6 years since reconstruction of Estadio la Peineta, Madrid's largest athletic stadium, began. There were times during the process when it seemed the stadium would never be ready. But in the end it will and opening is literally days away. On September 16 Malaga will come to challenge Atletico as the first La Liga side.

© Atlético de Madrid

Atleti are moving to eastern Madrid for the first time in their history, to what is now known as Wanda Metropolitano for sponsorship reasons. The 68,000-seater is being furnished every day and the players' facilities have already been showed to the press with their luxurious equipment. The natural field is also laid and being maintained to present satisfying quality on opening night.

Speaking of night, the stadium's floodlights are being calibrated in order to provide sufficient lighting for every inch of the field, while illumination of the roof has already been tested. The roof is by far the most iconic element of the stadium, an evolution of what has already been created in Sevilla by the same architects.

When supporters finally come on September 16, there's much more to worry about than seats, concessions and hospitality. Matchday traveling patterns are yet to be crafted as almost 68,000 will 'invade' a site that has never seen such regular crowds. The club urges supporters to use the subway, as there are three lines (2, 5 and 7) passing near the stadium.

The latter one, 7, gets supporters literally to the stadium, with Estadio Metropolitano station being outside the building. It's expected to bring 25,000 fans in 45 minutes.