22 December 2025
The Estádio da Luz, which means Stadium of Light, is more than just Benfica’s home ground, it is a landmark woven into the club’s history and the city’s fabric. Benfica’s first Luz (1954-2003) was the largest stadium in Europe at its peak up to 120,000 capacity by 1985.
That “old Luz” was inaugurated on December 1, 1954, and expanded over the decades until it was respectfully closed on March 22, 2003, after a final 2-0 win over Santa Clara. To coincide with UEFA Euro 2004, a new Estádio da Luz was built on the same site, opening on 25 October 2003. In that debut match, Benfica beat Nacional (Uruguay) 2-1 (Nuno Gomes scored both goals) in front of a record 65,400 spectators.
The new Luz, a €160M design by HOK Sport (now Populous), focuses on light and transparency. Its signature wavy bowls and 43m-high steel arches support a polycarbonate roof that appears to float, bathing the interior in sunlight. Initially seating about 64,600, recent expansions (2024-25) have raised capacity to 68,100.
Today, the red-clad Luz is the largest stadium in Portugal, a UEFA category-four arena that has hosted landmark events, the Euro 2004 Final and Champions League finals in 2014 and 2020 and remains central to Benfica’s story.
The Luz has seen some of European football’s most dramatic nights. It hosted the UEFA Euro 2004 Final (Portugal 0-1 Greece) and was the venue for the 2014 Champions League Final (Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético) and the 2020 final (Bayern Munich 1-0 PSG).
In between those finals, many memorable nights for Benfica fans were written here. Recent group-stage thrillers include a 2024/25 Champions League game where Barcelona famously rallied from 3-0 down to win 5-4 at Luz, illustrating the stadium’s penchant for high drama. Even domestic cup finals and decisive league matches have felt like continental occasions, with the stands rocking when star players, from Eusébio in the 1960s to modern heroes, delivered in front of a partisan crowd.
The Luz’s size and design (with steep stands and an intimate bowl) amplify every moment, so that goals and near-misses reverberate through the arena. In short, Champions League nights at Luz are legendary: the crowd is intense, and the football is often of the highest level, adding chapters to Benfica’s legacy in every corner of the stadium.
Benfica supporters, affectionately known as “benfiquistas”, bring a special passion to Luz. Fans proudly call their club O Glorioso (“The Glorious One”), a nickname that bursts out as the chant “Glorioso SLB” echoing around the stadium before kickoff. On matchdays, the air is filled with a sea of red and a cacophony of drums, flares and songs.
Supporters often sing the club anthem and rallying chants, while large tifos (giant banners) are unveiled in the ultras’ sections. Benfica fans consider themselves “As Águias” (The Eagles) and “Os Encarnados” (The Reds), reflecting the club’s crest and colours. Just before the game, stadium tradition comes alive: the club’s live eagle mascot Águia Vitória flies in full circles above the Luz before landing on the pitch, a moment that sends goosebumps through the crowd.
As one travel guide notes, the atmosphere “is incredibly passionate and loud,” and even visitors become swept up in it. In short, matchday at Luz is communal and tribal, families and generations mingle (even little kids reach up to kiss the Eusébio statue at the entrance), and the collective roar of Os Gloriosos is what visiting fans rave about.
Architecturally, Luz is a modern stadium designed to impress on and off the field. Its four continuous tiers (three regular levels plus a roof level) give a wavy profile to the stands, and the distinctive translucent roof (supported by 43m steel arches) floods the pitch with natural light.
The seating is arranged for excellent sightlines: Benfica managers note that the stands are steeper and closer to the pitch than at older stadiums, creating a cauldron effect. Today, Luz can seat 68,100 spectators, making it one of Europe’s largest.
There are 156 executive suites, a full scoreboard, and modern amenities. The players’ tunnel, VIP areas and technical facilities meet UEFA’s top standards (it's a Category-4 stadium).
Beyond football, the stadium complex includes shops, restaurants and entertainment. A Commercial Area surrounds the arena (with fast-food vendors and casual eateries) and the official Benfica megastore sells jerseys, scarves and memorabilia. In short, Luz offers a “glorious and complete show on the pitch” for spectators, supported by a mix of leisure and shopping in its precinct.
Benfica welcomes visitors with a range of experiences, even on matchdays. Stadium tours and the Benfica Museum operate almost every day (typically 10 am-6 pm). The guided tour takes you through the press room, players’ tunnel and along the edge of the pitch, and also stops at the trophy halls where past glories are displayed.
The Museu Cosme Damião (Benfica’s museum) charts the club’s history with an interactive exhibit. It is right next to the stadium, in fact, the tour often includes the museum as well. Tickets for matches or tours can be bought online via Benfica’s official site or at official ticket offices, and most guides recommend purchasing early (popular games sell out).
On game days, there is a large fan zone outside (in the southeast corner) with food stands, music and merchandising. Note that Luz is a dry stadium, no alcohol is sold inside, so fans often enjoy a beer or bifana sandwich from outside stalls before entering.
When you enter the stadium, scanning gates open about 20–30 minutes pre-game to let fans soak in the buildup. As final tips: arrive early to explore the fan zone and eat at the food trucks, wear red Benfica colours, and bring cash or a charged card (metro and vendors are accessible).
Luz is easily accessible by Lisbon’s metro and bus network. The Blue Line serves the area: the nearest stations are Colégio Militar/Luz (about a 5-minute walk to the stadium) and Alto dos Moinhos (about 7 minutes away). On matchdays, extra buses (especially Carris buses from the city centre) and metro trains run frequently.
After the game, exit towards either metro stop (Alto dos Moinhos on one side, Colégio Militar/Luz on the other) to avoid crowds. If driving, be aware that the large Centro Colombo mall (next to Colégio Militar/Luz station, 0.2mi from the stadium) often handles overflow parking, but public transport is generally recommended.
For lodging, the Benfica area hosts several hotels. Very close is the Upon Lisbon Prime Residences and a handful of local guesthouses. A short drive away are larger hotels: for example, the Lisbon Marriott Hotel (4-star) is about 1.8mi away, and the upscale Corinthia Lisbon is about 2.3mi away. The nearby Colombo Mall (0.2mi) also has budget options and is a convenient landmark.
As for dining, the Alto dos Moinhos neighbourhood offers quick-serve stands and cafes. On game day, a street market of food trucks sells Portuguese favourites like bifana (garlic-pork sandwich), prego (steak sandwich), cachorros (hot dogs) and burgers.
Traditional Portuguese restaurants (taverns serving bacalhau or grilled cod, and pastelarias selling pastries) are found a short walk from the stadium. Remember to taste the local snacks before entering Luz, since inside the stadium, food options are limited (and beer isn’t sold inside).
Estádio da Luz is not static. In 2024/25, Benfica actually expanded the seating by adding extra rows for disabled access, raising capacity to 68,100. More dramatically, in 2025, the club commissioned architects Populous (who designed the stadium) to create a major masterplan for the entire Luz district.
The proposed redevelopment (intended to be ready for big future events such as the 2030 World Cup) would modernise the facade with programmable LED lighting and add new venues: a 10,000-seat indoor arena, additional sports halls, a community pool, rooftop training pitches and even a theatre/event space.
A grand fan plaza is envisioned in front of the main stand (relocating the Eusébio statue there), with cafes, shops and stages for matchday gatherings.
These plans aim to integrate Luz into Lisbon’s urban life year-round. In short, the home of Os Gloriosos continues to evolve, embracing both its rich past and an ambitious future as one of Europe’s iconic stadium complexes.
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