Estádio da Luz – stadium description

Why was Estádio da Luz built?

For Euro 2004, the old Estádio da Luz was demolished and a new one was built in its place. It was designed by HOK Sport Venue Event (now Populous) and cost 160 million euros, of which 22,596,688 euros were covered by the Portuguese government.

The original Estádio da Luz opened on December 1, 1954, a symbolic date commemorating Portugal's independence. The stadium had a huge capacity – it was the largest in Europe and the third largest in the world.

When was Estádio da Luz inaugurated?

The new Estádio da Luz was inaugurated on October 25, 2003, during a friendly match against Uruguayan club Nacional. That day, 65,400 spectators watched Benfica SL win 2-1, with Nuno Gomes scoring both goals.

What does Estádio da Luz look like?

Architect Damon Lavelle, from HOK Sport Venue Event (now Populous), designed the stadium with a focus on light and transparency. Its polycarbonate roof allows sunlight to pass through, illuminating the interior. The roof, supported by four steel arches, seems to float above the stands. The 43-meter-high arches were shaped to resemble the wavy outline of the three-tiered seating.

Estádio da Luz, opened in 2003, originally held 65,647 spectators. However, the capacity was reduced to 64,642 to create a safety zone for away fans, making it the 25th largest stadium in Europe by capacity.

What is Estádio da Luz used for?

The stadium belongs to SL Benfica, which plays its home games there in the national league and international competitions such as the UEFA Champions League. In addition, Estádio da Luz is used for national team matches, concerts, and cultural events.

What happened at Estádio da Luz on August 30, 2008?

On that day, 19 minutes before the end of a match between SL Benfica and Futebol Clube Porto, a Benfica fan, Carlos Bernardo Santos, ran onto the pitch and struck the assistant referee in the neck. He was immediately detained by Public Security Police (PSP) officers. SL Benfica was fined 1,500 euros by the Portuguese Professional Football League’s Disciplinary Committee for the incident.

What was included in the 2024 renovation?

Plans to expand the stadium had been discussed for years. On September 24, 2019, Luís Filipe Vieira announced a project to increase capacity to 80,000 by adding another tier around the whole perimeter – in line with Lavelle’s concept.

However, in June 2024, SL Benfica announced a smaller expansion to nearly 66,000 seats, adding 950 new seats in accessible areas around the stadium. The upgrade also included new video screens and an advanced lighting system, with more improvements planned in the coming years.

What changes are planned for the 2030 World Cup?

Estádio da Luz is set to expand by over 5,000 seats to reach a total capacity of 70,000. This plan was revealed on November 30, 2024, by Benfica president Rui Costa, though no specific cost or timeline was provided. In April 2024, Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Fernando Gomes announced that the stadium would host one of the 2030 World Cup semi-finals.

What sports events have been held at Estádio da Luz?

Estádio da Luz hosted the Euro 2004 final, three group matches, and one quarterfinal. It also hosted two UEFA Champions League finals. On March 20, 2012, UEFA’s Executive Committee announced that it would host the 2013/14 final, where Real Madrid beat Atlético Madrid 4-1 after extra time. In 2020, the stadium again hosted the final, moved from Istanbul due to COVID-19, where Bayern Munich defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0.

What non-sporting events have been held at Estádio da Luz?

From 2019 to 2024, Estádio da Luz hosted concerts by international artists such as Ed Sheeran, Rammstein, and Taylor Swift. It was also the venue for events like the International Jehovah’s Witnesses Congress, World Youth Day, and the New Seven Wonders of the World.

What is the attendance record at Estádio da Luz?

On May 13, 2017, during Matchday 33 of the 2016/17 Primeira Liga, Benfica clinched its fourth consecutive national title with a 5-0 win over Vitória de Guimarães. A record 64,591 fans attended the match.

Where does the name Estádio da Luz come from?

Both the old and new stadiums are widely known by the unofficial name Estádio da Luz. Luz refers to the district where the stadium is located – near the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz (Church of Our Lady of Light). The name became common shortly after the original stadium was built, with locals referring to it simply as a Luz (the Light). Although often translated into English as Stadium of Light, the name actually derives from the road address – Estrada da Luz (Light Road).