These football stadiums are the source of a lot of controversy for their size, the money invested in their construction and obviously for the rivalry between football clubs but, these are the stages where the sport takes emotions to a all other level.
Whether you are a football fan or not, you need to see these 5 stadiums up close, to see their magnificence with your own eyes. Get the cheering ready cause we are taking you to the ball game!
1. Estádio do Dragão – Futebol Clube do Porto
This stadium, the home of the Futebol Clube do Porto, can fit 50,100 people and is one of the biggest stadiums in the country.
Designed by the architect Manuel Salgado, it opened its doors on November of 2003, substituting the old Estádio das Antas for a more modern venue. With the Euro 2004 in mind, it was built with numerous residential and commercial areas that support the stadium itself. Also, around the stadium you can find many green areas and gardens.
Since it is considered a landmark in Oporto’s culture, many internationally renowned music artists have used it as a stage.
Its museum, called Museu Futebol Clube do Porto by BMG, offers a journey through the blue and white history of the club, highlighting the most important events.
Ticket prices – Museum + Stadium Visit:
- Kids (5 to 12 years old) - 10 euro
- Adults - 15 euro
- Senior (+ 65 years old) - 12 euro
Get all the information here.
2. Estádio da Luz – Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Just like the Estádio do Dragão, the Estádio da Luz was built and inaugurated on the 25th October 2003, to substitute a much older stadium (the former Estádio da Luz built in 1954).
With a seating capacity for over 60,000 people, the design created by the Australian company Populous offers modern facilities that comply with the security regulations stipulated by FIFA and UEFA.
Here you can almost feel like you are touching the grass because the seating layout and the acoustics are set up to create the best experience possible for spectators.
You can visit the red and white stadium and the Benfica-Cosme Damião Museum to learn all about the history of the club. If you can’t make it in person, you can try the virtual tour of the museum.
Ticket prices:
- Stadium visit - 12.50 euro
- Museum visit - 10 euro
- Stadium and museum visit – 17.50 euro
Club members can visit for free; children and seniors have a discount.
Get all the information here.
3. Estádio José Alvalade XXI – Sporting Clube de Portugal
Neighbour to the Estádio da Luz, Estádio José Alvalade XXI is in Lisbon and is the green, white and yellow home for the Sporting Clube de Portugal club. It can house more than 50,000 fans.
During the Euro 2004 reformations in Portugal and as a substitute for the club’s older stadium, this one was built as a new and futuristic venue where 5 of the Euro 2004 games where held, as well as many music concerts. Also worth mentioning is the fact that this was the first stadium to receive a 5-five star rating from UEFA.
The whole stadium complex cost 162 million euro and includes a shopping centre, a multisport complex, a gym, a clinic and an office building.
The club has its own museum within the stadium where you can relive glorious moments from the club's past, its players, coaches and presidents.
Ticket prices Museum + Stadium Visit:
- Adults - 14 euro
- Kids (6 to 13 years old) - 7 euro
- Seniors (+65 years old) - 10 euro
Club members have a discount.
Get all the information here.
4. Estádio Nacional do Jamor – the country’s stadium
In the Jamor Valley, we can find this stadium, inaugurated on 10th June 1944. It is officially known as the nation’s stadium, technically named “Estádio de Honra do Centro Desportivo Nacional do Jamor”.
With a capacity for over 37,500 people, it includes a natural grass field (mostly used for football games), a running track, areas for long jump and an obstacle course.
In 2003, it was reformed to improve the quality of the facilities in the whole complex.
You can take the virtual tour of the stadium for free or even rent it out for a game for 260 euro per hour.
5. Estádio da Pedreira - Estádio Municipal de Braga
Designed by the achitect Eduardo Souto Moura for the Euro 2004, the Estádio da Pedreira has 30,100 seats. It occupies our 5th place since it is a beautiful piece of architecture and engineering, built on the hillside of Monte Castro, in the Braga suburbs, facing the Cávado river.
It has won numerous prizes such as the Secil Award in 2004 (in the Architecture category) and in 2005 (in the Civil Engineering category).
Make sure you enjoy the amazing natural views from the stadium.
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