During a stay in Lisbon, soccer fans will be tempted to follow in the footsteps of Benfica’s legendary players and victories during a visit to the Luz stadium.
The Stade de Luz is the home stadium of Benfica, one of Lisbon‘s two biggest clubs. Built for Euro 2004, the stadium is nicknamed « The Cathedral » by its supporters. A visit to the stadium allows you to explore the stadium museum, where the history of the club is recounted, and where you can follow in the footsteps of legendary players such as Eusébio, Paulo Futre and Mantorras. Follow the guide!
History of the Luz stadium
Estádio da Luz, officially called Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, was built to provide Benfica with a new, modern stadium, as well as to host Euro 2004 matches, including the final. The Stade de Luz was designed to replace the old Estádio da Luz. Construction work began in 2002 and, in March 2003, Benfica played its last match in the partially dismantled old stadium.
The new stadium opened its doors on October 25, 2003 with a match between Benfica and Uruguay’s Club Nacional (2-1). During Euro 2004, the Estadio da Luz hosted three group matches, the quarter-final between Portugal and England (2-2) and the final between Greece and Portugal (1-0). More recently, in 2014, the stadium hosted the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid (4-1).
Photo credit: Wikimedia – F nando
A visit to the Estadio da Luz and the Benfica Museum
The Benfica club organizes guided tours of the Luz stadium, one of the most popular soccer clubs in Lisbon and Portugal. Start your tour of the country’s largest and most modern stadium. Walk on the pitch that the players usually walk on after passing through the tunnel, visit the dressing rooms and press room and take a photo with the Sport Lisboa e Benfica mascot eagle.
Once you’ve taken some photos as if you were one of the club’s star players, you’ll head to the Benfica – Cosme Damiao Museum, which takes a detailed look back at soccer’s milestones with the Benfica Club History exhibition. Discover fascinating facts about Eusébio, Paulo Futre and Mantorras, some of Benfica’s legendary players, and admire the museum’s modern multimedia technology. This visit to the Stade de Luz and the Benfica Museum is an opportunity to discover an alternative history of Portugal and the Portuguese-speaking world.
The statue of Eusebio in front of the stadium – Photo credit: Flickr – Gilbert Sopakuwa
Photo credit: Flickr
Estadio da Luz and Benfica Museum: prices, opening hours…
Guided tours of the stadium: Daily, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (guided tours every 20 minutes). Tours are closed on December 25 and January 1. If there is a match in a national competition, tours stop 6 hours before the match. During major European and international matches: There are no guided tours on the two days preceding the match, and on the following day for an international match.
Benfica Museum opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., open daily. Estimated duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour. Open on match days (except for European competitions), until the start of the match. Visits are not possible on December 25 and January 1.
Official rates for stadium + museum :
- Adults (14-64): €17.50
- Children (3-13 years): €7
- Family (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 3 children): €38
- Senior (+65 years): €11.5
For tickets to the Luz stadium + Benfica museum at just €16.5, you can book your tickets online by clicking on the button below:
How do I get to the Estadio da Luz from Lisbon?
Estadio da Luz is located in the north of Lisbon, almost 8 kilometers north of Lisbon city center and not far from Lisbon’s other major stadium, Estádio José Alvalade. The stadium is adjacent to the E1 freeway (Av. General Norton de Matos).
If you’re driving, take the Benfica exit. The stadium is easily visible from the freeway and signposted. If you’re coming by public transport, the Luz stadium is accessible from the blue line of the metro. You can take this line from several stations in downtown Lisbon, for example Baixa-Chiado. Get off at Colégio Militar/Luz station, which is right next to the stadium.
Bus routes passing in front of the stadium include 703, 726, 729, 750, 750, 765, 767, 767, 768 and 799. They stop either at Colégio Militar metro station, Estrada da Luz or Av. General Norton de Matos (line 750).
How to attend a Benfica Lisbon match at the Estadio da Luz?
Visiting the Stade de Luz is an interesting experience if you’re a fan of Benfica and soccer in general. But for the ultimate thrill, we recommend attending a Benfica match in the very heart of the stadium!
Tickets for Benfica matches can be purchased online from the official Benfica website or directly from the stadium box office. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the match at the stadium box office. Apart from a few matches against Sporting or FC Porto, Benfica does not play to full houses.
If you’re planning to visit Lisbon on a weekend when there’s a match against Porto or Sporting Portugal, consider buying your tickets online in advance to make sure you’ll be able to attend one of these matches where the tension is palpable! Ticket prices generally range from €20.00 for a seat behind the goal to €60.00 for a mid-level seat on either side.
Main photo credit: Wikimedia – Mister No