Buy Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the Europa League league phase fixture set for Thursday 28 January 2027 at 21:00 CET (20:00 local time in Lisbon and the UK) at the Estádio da Luz. It is Matchday 8, the final round of the league phase, when every game kicks off at the same time and the table that decides the last 16, the knockout play-offs and the eliminations is settled in a single evening.
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The two clubs have history in this competition. Benfica knocked AZ out of the Europa League quarter-finals in 2014, winning both legs on the way to the final. More than a decade later, the sides meet again on a night when both could have everything to play for, in one of Europe's most atmospheric stadiums.
This guide covers what drives demand, how Benfica's ticketing works, what resale seats typically cost, where to sit, what hospitality includes and the full European record between the clubs.
Benfica are one of the most widely supported clubs in world football, and the Estádio da Luz fills quickly for European nights. The stadium's capacity rose to around 68,000 after renovations completed in 2025, yet members still take most of the seats before any public sale. When the fixture decides a league-phase finish, the remaining seats go fast.
The format adds urgency. With all 36 clubs playing at once on the final night, a single goal in Lisbon or anywhere else in Europe can move Benfica or AZ across the line between a direct last-16 place and the knockout play-offs. Supporters want to be inside the ground for that kind of evening.
The timing also concentrates demand into a short window. Once the penultimate round is played on 21 January, when Benfica travel to NEC and AZ host Dinamo Zagreb, supporters will know exactly what the final night means, and interest in the last available seats usually rises sharply in that final week.
The visitors bring a travelling following of their own. AZ Alkmaar have become one of the most consistent Dutch clubs in European competition, and their supporters regularly follow the team abroad. A January trip to Lisbon, with its mild weather and short flight from Amsterdam, is exactly the kind of away day Dutch fans plan around.
Benfica's European pedigree adds to the occasion. The club won the European Cup in 1961 and 1962 and has reached many more European finals since, and home nights at the Luz carry a sense of history that few grounds can match. For neutral visitors, a decisive European evening here is one of the standout experiences in the continental calendar.
Benfica's own European home calendar feeds demand too. Supporters who missed Benfica vs Celtic in October, one of the standout fixtures of the league phase, will be looking for another European night at the Luz, and this one arrives with the table on the line.
Lisbon itself pulls in visitors. The city is one of Europe's most popular short-break destinations, and a Thursday night game fits neatly into a long weekend. That broadens demand beyond the club's own supporters and keeps pressure on the better seats in the main stand.
Yes, but it depends on timing. Benfica's ticketing runs in tiers: season ticket holders with a Red Pass have their seats automatically, and paying members, known as sócios, get priority access and discounts before any general sale. Many Liga Portugal fixtures reach public sale through the club's website, but high-demand European nights often do not.
For a final-round Europa League game, public availability is likely to be limited to the upper tiers and less central blocks, and those can sell out quickly once the stakes are clear. Tickets are usually sent by email in the hours before kick-off, which leaves overseas visitors little margin if a sale falls through. Planning a trip around a sale that may not happen is a risk most travellers prefer to avoid.
Season ticket holders who cannot attend can release their seats, but those releases are unpredictable and often come late. For anyone planning travel around the game, waiting for them is a gamble, especially on a night when the league-phase finish is at stake.
The resale marketplace is the practical alternative. Sellers on 1BoxOffice include members and season ticket holders who cannot attend, and every order carries a 150% money-back guarantee if tickets do not arrive as described. No Benfica membership or Portuguese address is needed.
AZ supporters should apply through their own club first. The away allocation, usually around 3,000 at the Luz and sometimes more for European games, is sold by AZ to its supporters. Anyone who buys resale will be in a home area, so the colours advice in the seating section applies in full.
Dutch supporters living in Portugal, and the many who holiday in Lisbon, may also look for seats without an away ticket. They should buy in the east stand or the outer main-stand blocks and keep colours hidden, as mixing with home supporters in the ends is not advised.
Resale also takes away the waiting. Club sale windows for European games open and close close to the match, while marketplace listings stay available until match week, so you can buy as soon as your flights are booked.
Five factors move the price for this fixture. Seat location comes first: central seats in the main west stand cost more than seats behind the goals or in the upper corners.
Demand is the second, and a final-night European fixture at the Luz sits at the upper end of Benfica's range outside the headline domestic derbies. Timing is the third, as prices often rise once the league-phase table shows what is at stake. The competition is the fourth: Benfica's club prices for regular games have run from around €20 behind the goals to around €60 in the middle tiers of the main stand, with European nights priced higher. Hospitality tier is the fifth and sits in its own bracket for the 2026/27 season.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper tier / less central | £45 – £75 | Budget-conscious buyers | Upper corners and ends with a full view of the pitch |
| Longside standard | £65 – £100 | Most first-time visitors | Middle and upper tiers of the long sides |
| Lower tier / central | £90 – £140+ | Buyers who want to be close to the action | Limited supply, as many are Red Pass seats |
| Premium seating | £130 – £200+ | Couples and small groups after the prime sightline | Central west stand near the halfway line |
| Hospitality / VIP | £250 – £550+ | Corporate guests and special occasions | Business seats, lounges and boxes on the west side |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
Resale prices sit above club face value because they give access without a membership and without relying on a public sale that may never open. Compare listings for the same block side by side, and judge them on block and row rather than stand name alone.
Supply for this fixture usually builds after the new year, once season ticket holders know whether they can make a Thursday night in late January. Early January is the most useful window to compare blocks before the final-round picture pushes demand up.
For context, the Luz remains good value compared with many of Europe's major grounds. A central seat for a European night here typically costs less than a comparable seat in the Premier League or at the continent's biggest clubs, which makes premium seating an easy upgrade for a special trip.
The Estádio da Luz opened in 2003 in the Luz district of north-west Lisbon, and it has since hosted the Euro 2004 final and the 2014 and 2020 Champions League finals. Its sweeping polycarbonate roof and four steel arches make it one of the most recognisable grounds in Europe. The club's supporters simply call it the Catedral.
The main stand runs along the west side with the tunnel, dugouts and hospitality. The north end is home to the Diabos Vermelhos supporters' group, while the No Name Boys gather at the southern end. Visiting fans are housed in the north-east corner of the north stand, above part of the home support, with a clear view of the pitch.
Use the stand and block names in each listing to match seats to the table below, and ask the seller if anything is unclear before you buy.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| West main stand (central) | Buyers who want the classic TV-angle view | Premium | Closest to the tunnel and dugouts; most hospitality sits here |
| West main stand (outer blocks) | Strong sightlines below premium prices | Mid to upper | Angled view towards one goal; good for watching team shape |
| East stand | First-time visitors and families | Mid | Long side facing the main stand with a full view of both ends |
| North and south ends | Home supporters who want to sing all game | Lower | Home to the Diabos Vermelhos and No Name Boys; not for neutrals |
| North-east corner (away section) | AZ supporters with away-allocation tickets | Allocated via AZ | Around 3,000 places, with separate entrances and security |
| Upper tier corners | Budget buyers and groups | Lower | Wide view of the whole pitch; seats together more likely here |
Neutral or undecided buyers are safest in the east stand or the outer blocks of the main stand, away from the two ends and the away corner. AZ fans holding home-section seats should leave red and white scarves at the hotel, as they share Benfica's colours but not their allegiance. Visiting colours in home areas can lead to stewards moving you, and resale seats are home-section tickets unless the listing says otherwise.
Height matters as much as the stand. The lower tier puts you close to the players and the noise, while the upper tier shows the whole shape of the game and the full sweep of the roof. For a first visit, a middle-tier seat on the east side is hard to beat for value and atmosphere together.
Families should book seats together on the long sides, where sightlines are clear and the atmosphere carries without the intensity of the two ends. The upper tiers are steep, which some younger children find uncomfortable, so weigh the saving against the climb.
The roof covers the stands, so a January evening rarely brings weather worries. What it does bring is noise: the design holds the sound in, and the moment the eagle lands and the team walks out is one of the loudest of the night.
The Luz's hospitality sits on the west side, with business seats, lounges and private boxes overlooking the halfway line. Most are sold as season packages, so single-match hospitality for a European night appears mainly when a package holder cannot attend.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Business seat | Couples and first-time hospitality guests | Padded central seat with lounge access, food and drinks |
| Lounge package | Small groups and client entertaining | Dining before and after the match on the west side |
| Shared box | Mid-sized groups | Private-style space at a lower cost than a full box |
| Private box | Corporate groups | Own room, catering and a direct view of the pitch |
Hospitality at the Luz generally includes a padded seat, food and drinks before and after the match and a lounge that opens well ahead of kick-off. The step from one tier to the next is mostly privacy and position.
Read listing notes closely. Some hospitality tickets carry a named guest, a dress code or fixed arrival times. Arrive early, since the pre-match dining and the eagle flight are both part of what you pay for.
For client entertaining, a lounge package usually gives a strong mix of comfort and conversation time without the cost of a full box. Private boxes suit larger groups who want privacy for the evening.
Benfica issues most tickets digitally, often by email in the hours before kick-off. The delivery method appears on every listing.
| Delivery Type | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Mobile tickets | That the ticket transfers to your phone or wallet before you leave for the ground |
| PDF e-tickets | That the barcode prints or displays clearly and each guest has a separate ticket |
| Late email delivery | The latest time the seller expects to send tickets, which can be on match day |
| Local collection | The collection point in Lisbon, opening hours and the ID you must show |
Read each listing's notes carefully before you pay, as they state the delivery method and any restrictions. Bring valid photo ID in case of spot inspections at the turnstiles. Charge your phone fully, because a flat battery at a digital gate is the one problem nobody can solve for you.
Getting there is simple. The blue metro line serves the ground at Colégio Militar/Luz, about five minutes on foot, and Alto dos Moinhos, about eight minutes away. Alto dos Moinhos is the better choice on matchdays, as the walk passes the food stalls that fill before kick-off.
Arrive 60 to 90 minutes early. Before every home game, the club's eagle, Vitória, flies laps of the stadium before landing on the Benfica crest, and it is one of the great pre-match rituals in European football. After the final whistle, the metro fills quickly, so allow extra time if you have an early flight.
Many supporters also make time for the statue of Eusébio outside the stadium, a meeting point and a reminder of the club's European Cup era. The area around Alto dos Moinhos, with its food stalls selling bifanas and cold beer, is where the pre-match build-up is at its liveliest.
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Step1
Find the fixture
Search for Benfica and AZ Alkmaar, then open the listings for Thursday 28 January 2027 at the Estádio da Luz.
Step2
Set up your account
Create an account with the email address you use most, so delivery notices reach you quickly.
Step3
Filter by quantity
Enter how many seats you need first. Listings then show only blocks that can seat your group.
Step4
Compare stands and prices
Weigh the west stand, the east stand and the upper corners against your budget and the view you want.
Step5
Read the listing notes
Confirm the delivery method and timing, whether seats are together and any home-section colours rules.
Step6
Enter guest details
Add each attendee's name exactly as it appears on their photo ID.
Step7
Pay securely
Complete payment on the protected payment page and keep the confirmation email safe.
Step8
Follow your delivery
Use track order to see when your tickets are dispatched, then save them to your phone before you set off for the ground.
Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport sits close to the city centre, and the red metro line links it with the rest of the network. The Luz is only a few stops away via the blue line. For overseas buyers, e-tickets are the simplest option because nothing needs to be posted abroad.
Europa League dates and kick-off times are fixed well in advance by UEFA, so this is one fixture where the schedule will not move. Seats together are always marked; if a listing does not say so, assume the seats may be split.
AZ supporters have direct flights from Amsterdam to Lisbon in around three hours, and many will make a long weekend of it. Those without away tickets should remember that home seats come with the colours rules above.
Lisbon in late January is usually mild and bright compared with much of northern Europe, which makes an evening kick-off comfortable and a city break easy to justify. Stay in Baixa, Chiado or Avenida da Liberdade for quick metro access, and leave time for the city's viewpoints, trams and food.
Visitors with more time can combine the trip with a Liga Portugal game the same weekend or a day in Sintra or Cascais, both an easy train ride from the centre. A European night at the Luz and a weekend in Lisbon is one of the most complete football breaks available in January.
Benfica and AZ have met in European competition only twice, and both games came in the spring of 2014. Drawn together in the Europa League quarter-finals, Benfica won 1-0 in Alkmaar in the first leg and 2-0 at the Luz a week later, a 3-0 aggregate win that carried them into the semi-finals. They went on to beat Juventus and reach the final in Turin, where they lost to Sevilla on penalties.
That final was Benfica's second in successive seasons, after defeat to Chelsea in the 2013 final in Amsterdam. Those runs cemented the club's reputation as one of the most consistent performers in this competition, and the Luz has been the platform for many of their most memorable European nights.
For AZ, that tie remains their only competitive meeting with Benfica. The Dutch club have since become regular European competitors, known for producing young players and for travelling well, and a return to the Luz gives them a chance to reverse a record that stands at two defeats in two games. A first win over Benfica, and in Lisbon of all places, would be one of the landmark away results in the club's European history.
This season adds a new layer. Benfica opened their league phase with a 2-0 win away at AC Milan, while AZ began with a narrow defeat at Sunderland. Both clubs' paths through the table, including Benfica's home game against Benfica vs Lech Poznan in November, will shape what is at stake on the final night.
What makes this fixture distinctive is how little the two sides know each other despite years in European competition. Two games, both won by Benfica without conceding, are all the history there is. For buyers, that makes a decisive final-night meeting at the Luz both a rematch and a fresh start.
The stakes on the night could be high for both. With every club kicking off at once, the live table will change minute by minute, and supporters inside the Luz will be following scores from across Europe as closely as the game in front of them. A late goal in another stadium can change the meaning of this match in an instant.
Benfica have hosted AZ in the Europa League only once, so the table covers all Europa League meetings between the clubs at both grounds.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 2 |
| Benfica wins | 2 |
| AZ Alkmaar wins | 0 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Benfica goals | 3 |
| AZ Alkmaar goals | 0 |
| Biggest Benfica win | 2-0 |
| Biggest AZ Alkmaar win | None yet |
| First Europa League meeting | 3 Apr 2014 |
| Most recent meeting | 10 Apr 2014 |
Figures calculated from the match-by-match results below, confirmed by UEFA and AiScore records.
All Europa League meetings between the sides, newest first, with the home side listed first in each score.
| Date | Venue | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Apr 2014 | Estádio da Luz | Benfica 2-0 AZ Alkmaar |
| 03 Apr 2014 | AFAS Stadion | AZ Alkmaar 0-1 Benfica |
Sources: UEFA.com match records and AiScore results archive.
Not for resale seats. Buying on 1BoxOffice needs no sócio membership or Red Pass.
No. The final-round games kick off together at 21:00 CET, which is 20:00 in Lisbon and the UK.
In the north-east corner of the north stand, with tickets allocated by AZ. Anyone with a resale seat elsewhere should wear neutral clothing.
Benfica often releases tickets close to kick-off, so delivery can come on match day. Your listing states the expected timing.
Yes, when the listing states it. Pairs are easy to find, while groups of four or more have more choice in the upper corners.
Sources: UEFA.com official Europa League fixture list and match records, AiScore, LaLiga match centre, Football Ground Guide, Matchday Guide and published Estádio da Luz stadium records.