Whether you’re a soccer fan or simply curious about a world you’re not familiar with, come and visit Porto’s Dragon Stadium!
Located in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, the Dragon Stadium is the home ground of FC Porto – Futebol Clube do Porto – a team that plays in the Portuguese Championship. FCP is one of the best teams in the country. Resolutely modern, theEstadio de Dragão has a capacity of over 50,000 spectators. It is the third largest stadium in Portugal, after Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.
Dragon Stadium doesn’t take its name from the Games of Throne series! This metaphor is explained by the strength and vitality of this imaginary animal, attributes associated with FCP. Since 1977, the club has consistently finished in the top three of the Portuguese league. In 2003, FCP also became the first Portuguese team to win the UEFA Cup!
Want to visit the Dragon Stadium? Follow the guide!
History of Porto’s Dragon Stadium
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Jorge Felix Costa
The FCP was founded in 1893 by António Nicolau d’Almeida. Inaugurated on November 16, 2003, the Dragon Stadium was designed to prepare for the 2004 European Championship, which was held in Portugal. The construction of the stadium has seen many twists and turns. Its estimated cost is around 125 million euros.
Designed by Portuguese architect Manuel Salgado, the Stade du Dragon is the first stadium in Europe to have taken care to limit its energy expenditure, thanks to the rational use of energy for lighting. This sound, environmentally-friendly approach has earned the stadium the greenlight certificate issued by theEuropean Energy Agency.
Before hosting the opening Portugal-Greece match of Euro 2004, the Dragon Stadium was inaugurated in November 2003, for a friendly match between FC Porto and FC Barcelona. The stadium is one of those chosen to host the 2020 UEFA Cup, to mark the competition’s 60th anniversary.
Prior to 2003, FCP trained atEstadio das Antas, opened in May 1952. This was already the third stadium used by the Portuguese team. After the move to the Dragon Stadium, the Estadio das Antas was demolished.
What to see and do at Porto’s Dragon Stadium
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Barry Paterso
Before you even enter the premises and start visiting Dragon Stadium, don’t forget to appreciate the beauty of the building from the outside. It’s already worth the detour!
Once inside, you can discover the immense stadium that has been and still is the pride of Porto. If you’d like to find out more about the history of the stadium and the club, the Stadium Museum – inaugurated in 2013 to mark FC Porto’s 120th anniversary – is open to you and will add an extra dimension to your visit.
How to get there
Guided tour of Dragon Stadium
If you’d like to visit Porto’s Dragon Stadium, you can take a guided tour of the site. The tour takes around 1 hour.
You’ll have access to the dressing rooms, the FC Porto benches, the conference room and the presidential box. However, you won’t be able to set foot on the legendary pitch, as access to it is forbidden. However, you can get as close as possible.
Visit the Stadium Museum
The Dragon Stadium Museum reveals the history of FCP Porto, as well as the reciprocal influence and relationship between the city of Porto and the soccer club. More than 125 years are laid out before you, both visually and informatively, thanks to a surprising interactive journey!
Discover or rediscover the memorable actions and numerous titles won by the club. You can admire some of the finest trophies, such as the UEFA Cup, or contemplate the Valquiria Dragão sculpture by artist Joana Vasconcelos. You don’t have to be a soccer or FC Porto aficionado to enjoy a visit to the Museum.
Visit with the FC Porto App
Whether you choose to visit the Dragon Stadium or combine your visit with that of the Stadium Museum, we recommend that you download the FC Porto App, to benefit from a wealth of additional information.
How do I get to Porto’s Dragon Stadium?
The Dragon Stadium is located on Via Futebol Clube do Porto, in Porto.
The advantage of visiting the Dragon Stadium is that you don’t have to travel too far outside Porto’s city center. The stadium is located to the east of the city, around 4 kilometers from the historic center and 16 kilometers from the airport. We recommend getting there by public transport.
By metro
The Dragon Stadium is accessible by metro:
- Blue (A), red (B), green (C) and violet (E) lines: « Estadio do Dragão » station (the stadium is right next to the exit)
- Yellow line (D ): change at « Trindade » and then take one of the other lines.
By bus
- Bus n°401
- Bus n°801
- Bus n°806
By car
If you don’t like public transport, you can visit the Dragon Stadium by car, but we don’t recommend it. In any case, avoid it less than an hour before kick-off! Outside these critical hours, you can park in the pay parking lot at Alameda Shopping Center.
Opening hours and prices of the Dragon Stadium in Porto
Photo Credit: Shutterstock / Yuri Turkov
SCHEDULES
Dragon Stadium
- Mondays: visits at 3pm, 4pm and 5pm.
- Tuesday to Sunday: visits at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm.
Please note: it is not possible to visit the Dragon Stadium on match days or UEFA match eves.
Dragon Stadium Museum
- Mondays: open from 2:30 to 7 p.m.
- Tuesday to Sunday: open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- December 24 and 31: open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please note: the Musée du Stade is closed on December 25 and the mornings of January 1, Easter Sunday and Midsummer’s Day.
RATES
One-way ticket
- Dragon Stadium
– Full price: €8
– Reduced rate: 6€ (This is particularly available to the over 64s)
– Children (under 16): €5
– Free for children under 4
- Dragon Stadium Museum
– Full price: €10
– Reduced: €8
– Children (under 16): €6.
– Free for children under 4
Combined ticket
The combined ticket allows you to visit the Stadium and the Museum.
- Full price: €15 per adult and €12 per child
- Reduced rate: 10€
- Free for children under 4
Audioguide
Available in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and German
Price: €3
Please note: When you arrive on site, you’ll exchange your confirmation voucher for a ticket to the Stadium and/or Museum.
Good to know
– The site is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
– The Official FC Porto Store will allow you to take home a souvenir from the Dragon Stadium!
– Photography is strictly forbidden. However, a photographer will accompany you on your visit and offer you the chance to buy his or her pictures.
– For refreshments and a bite to eat, Stade du Dragon is located in a shopping district, not far from the Dolce Vita shopping center.
– To see a match, you can book tickets at the stadium, online (FC Porto website), by telephone or at a Porto Club Store. Average ticket prices range from €10 to €50.