How to Buy Atlético Madrid Tickets: Home & Away Guide for Fans

Eapen Alexander

Sports Journalist

Atlético de Madrid fans have two main pathways to get match tickets: home games at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, and away games at other stadiums. For home matches, tickets are sold through official club channels and authorised sellers. For away games, the club reserves tickets exclusively for its members. Below is a step-by-step guide for both cases, plus travel tips and how to use your ticket once you arrive.

Be it La Liga, Champions League, or Copa del Rey, this is your ultimate guide to buying tickets to an Atleti game.

Home Match Tickets (Riyadh Air Metropolitano)

• Official Website and Box Office: The safest way to buy home tickets is through Atlético’s official channels. Home matches are listed on the club’s ticket page. Fans should create an account and log in early. Tickets typically go on sale only a few days to a week before kickoff, and club members (socio) get first access. Buying online is easiest.
• Sales Windows: La Liga tickets often drop about one week before each match, with members given priority. For Champions League or Copa del Rey home games, the club manages its own sales: season-ticket holders and members receive first dibs, then the remaining tickets go on general sale. Always check the official site or calendar and be ready to purchase the moment sales open. Big games vs Real Madrid, Barcelona, and top rivals can sell out in minutes.
• Trusted Resellers: If tickets sell out or you prefer an alternate source, use a trusted reseller like 1BoxOffice. They partner with verified ticket providers and offer a 150% Money-Back Guarantee on every order. That means if tickets don’t arrive, you get a full refund plus a 50% credit. 1BoxOffice sells electronic (PDF/mobile) tickets, with instant delivery and 24/7 support. Early booking via such platforms ensures authentic tickets and allows seat selection in advance.
• Ticket Prices: Single-match tickets vary by opponent and seat location. According to 1BoxOffice data, regular tickets generally range from €40-70, while high-profile fixtures (Derbi vs Real, Clásico vs Barça, or key CL games) can run €100-140 or more. VIP and hospitality packages (with premium seats and extras) cost several hundred euros up to €2,400+ for big matches. Season tickets (abonos) are sold before the season and cost around €398-€916 depending on the category. These figures are guides, always check the latest prices on official or trusted sites.
• Matchday Purchase (Risky): It’s technically possible to try buying at the stadium box office on game day, but this is risky. Most big games sell out early. If you rely on last-minute tickets, you may only find the worst seats or overpriced resales. To avoid disappointment, plan ahead and secure tickets online.

Away Match Tickets

• Members-Only: Atlético reserves away tickets exclusively for its club members (any age category). Non-members generally cannot buy official away tickets. To request away tickets, you must be a registered socio. If you’re not yet a member, consider joining to access this benefit.
• How to Request: Once logged into your Mi Área Personal on Atlético’s site, go to the “Away Matches” section. There you’ll see which away fixtures have tickets. Make your request before the deadline. If demand exceeds supply, tickets are allocated by membership seniority.
• Confirmation and Payment: If your request is approved, the club will notify you to proceed with payment. Ticket prices are published in advance. You must pay promptly to finalise the tickets.
• Collection: Away tickets are physical, personalised tickets. The club arranges a pick-up in the host city on matchday. You’ll also receive a wristband at pickup. You must present the same ID (passport/ID card) that the ticket is printed with, or you will be denied entry. This strict policy (wristbands and ID checks) is meant to prevent resale. Plan to travel with your teammate(s) who got the tickets, and agree on a pickup plan.
• Away Section: At the Metropolitano, away supporters for visiting teams sit in specific zones. For example, visiting fans usually occupy the upper tier of the north end (Fondo Norte), in sectors 413-416 and 313-315. (Home fans get the rest of the seats.) On away trips, seating varies by stadium, but by rule, away fans are kept together in a designated section.

Getting to Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Whether it’s a home game or just a stadium tour, here are the transit options for reaching the Metropolitano:

• By Metro: The quickest way is Madrid Metro Line 7 (orange line). The stop “Estadio Metropolitano” is right outside the stadium. This station (opened in 2017) was built to handle match crowds. From central Madrid, you can transfer onto Line 7 easily.
• By Bus: Several EMT bus routes stop near the stadium. Key lines include 28, 38, 48, 140, and the express E2. (Line 28 and 38 run from central Madrid eastward; Line 140/E2 runs from the east suburbs.) Buses run daily; a typical ticket is €1.50. On match days, allow 20–30 minutes from downtown. Note: some tourist blogs list Line 200 (airport bus) as an option, but official sources emphasise the above lines.
• By Train (Renfe): You can take Cercanías suburban trains (C2 or C7 line) to Coslada station. From Coslada, transfer to Metro Line 7 (direction Valdecarros) and ride two stops to Estadio Metropolitano. The Coslada transfer adds 20 minutes. This route is useful if you’re coming from elsewhere in Madrid’s commuter rail network.
• By Car/Parking: The stadium is just off the M-40 ring road, so highway access is straightforward. However, on match days, traffic can be heavy. Official parking exists (4,000 spaces: 1,000 inside, 3,000 outside) but must be pre-booked and is limited. In practice, it’s often better to park further away and walk or use shuttle buses. Fans strongly recommend using public transit instead, to avoid crowds and lines.
• Tips: Madrid Transit sells multi-day travel cards, which are convenient if you’ll use the metro/bus repeatedly. On big matchdays, Metro trains run extra frequently, but arrive early (at least 30-45 minutes before kickoff) to ensure you get through security in time.

Using Your Ticket & Stadium Entry

Once you have your ticket (paper or electronic), it will show all the details needed to find your seat:

• Gate (Acceso): This is the outer entrance gate number. Enter the stadium only through the gate listed on your ticket. The gate number is printed clearly on the ticket and on stadium signs.
• Turnstile (Puerta): Inside the gate, you’ll pass through a numbered turnstile. Again, your ticket shows which turnstile/turno you use. Scan the QR/barcode on your ticket at this point to enter the seating area.
• Sector (Sector): The Metropolitano is divided into sectors (each has a three-digit code). Follow the overhead signs to reach the numbered sector on your ticket. The first digit of the sector code is usually the level.
• Section Entrance (Vomitorio): Within each sector, there are multiple entrances to sub-sections called vomitorios. Your ticket may indicate a vomitorio number which leads you directly to the area of rows for your seat.
• Row (Fila) and Seat (Asiento): Finally, find your fila (row) and asiento (seat) by the printed number on each chair. Rows are sequentially numbered along the stands, and seats in each row will be odd/even on alternating sides of the aisle.

Once in your seat, enjoy the game! Stadium staff will be around if you have any trouble. Plan to arrive at least 45-60 minutes before kickoff to clear security and soak up the pre-game atmosphere.

Additional Tips & Stadium Info

• Membership Benefits: Club members get many perks beyond away tickets. Socios receive 48-hour advance sales, discounts on home matches, and sometimes fan giveaways. Even a basic (non-abono) membership costs only a few dozen euros a year, making it a good value if you plan to attend multiple games. If you attend often, becoming a member is highly recommended for earlier access and lower prices.
• Ticket Scams: Beware of scalpers outside the stadium. Always use official channels or reputable resellers with guarantees. Never buy from unverified sellers, fakes are a risk.
• Stadium Tours: On non-match days, fans can take the official Atleti Tour & Museum. It includes the players’ tunnel, locker rooms, the president’s box, and the interactive museum. Tickets can be booked on the club’s site or at the stadium tour desk. Note: tours may be suspended around events or concert stages.)
• Safety Rules: Follow the stadium’s security guidelines. No large bags/umbrellas, no banners or flags with violent or racist content, and no dangerous items are allowed. Prohibited items include weapons, fireworks, and professional recording gear. Only service animals are permitted; ordinary pets are not. Smoking is banned in all areas. Typically, you’ll go through bag checks at the gates.
• Fan Zones and Matchday Atmosphere: The Metropolitano has fan areas outside (north and south ends) with food and entertainment before kickoff. Join fellow fans for chants and songs, for example, at home games, don’t miss singing the “Campeones, Campeones” anthem and “Olé” chorus when the team scores. Supporters often wear the red-and-white kit and raise scarves at key moments!

Check Atlético’s match calendar, get tickets early (especially for big games), use public transit to reach the stadium, and know what your ticket details mean. By following this guide and using official or trusted channels (ike, 1BoxOffice with its 150% guarantee, you’ll enjoy a smooth experience cheering for Atleti, home or away.