Buy Benfica vs Sporting CP tickets for the 2026/27 Season, with the Lisbon derby scheduled for Sunday 27 December 2026 at the Estádio da Luz in Matchday 16 of Liga Portugal. Liga Portugal publishes exact kick-off times in batches a few weeks ahead, so the start time for this round is confirmed nearer the match. Lisbon runs on the same clock as the UK in winter, which makes planning simpler for British visitors.
Thousands trust 1BoxOffice
The derby is one of the hardest tickets in Portuguese football to get through the club. Benfica sold the 2025/26 meeting at the Luz exclusively to members, and the match never reached general sale. Red Pass season-seat holders and paid-up members take almost every seat, which is why the resale market is the realistic route for overseas fans.
This guide covers what seats cost, which stands suit which buyers, how Benfica's digital tickets work, what hospitality looks like at the Luz and how to complete a purchase safely before Christmas.
Demand for this fixture runs well ahead of supply every season. When Benfica hosted Sporting in May 2025, members' tickets were temporarily sold out in little more than an hour, with supporters queuing overnight. For the December 2025 meeting the only extra availability came through the club's Red Pass resale facility, opened two days before kick-off.
The stakes are high on both sides. Sporting CP finished second in 2025/26 on 82 points, two ahead of Benfica in third, while FC Porto took the title. Both Lisbon clubs want that title back, and a derby result at the Luz carries six-point weight in any race involving the two of them.
The calendar adds pressure. The derby falls between Christmas and New Year, one of the busiest weeks of the year for travel into Lisbon. In 2025/26 Sporting sold its allocation of around 3,500 seats to its own members only, so visiting supporters without a club history had no route into the away end.
European commitments shape the build-up too. Benfica play in the Europa League league phase this season and Sporting in the Champions League, so both squads arrive at the Luz after a crowded December schedule.
Through the club, almost never. Benfica sells derby tickets in a strict order, and for the 2025/26 meeting the sale stopped at the members' phase:
The Red Pass base is large. Benfica offered 50,000 Red Pass seats for 2026/27, in a stadium the club now lists at 68,100. Joining the waiting list carries a fee, and renewal terms depend on attending at least 80% of matches, so a new applicant has little chance of a derby seat in the same season.
Club rules also limit how far one buyer can stretch an allocation. Members can buy up to five tickets per purchase, there are no exchanges or refunds, and anyone buying for someone else must enter that person's details.
Even the club's own resale route is narrow. For the December 2025 derby, Benfica reopened sales through its Red Pass secondary market only two days before kick-off, with sellers receiving 50% of the price, which gave holders little reason to release seats. A verified marketplace sits outside those limits: sellers who already hold seats list them, and buyers can request seats for the derby without a membership history.
Five things set the price of a seat for the 2026/27 derby: the stand and level (Piso), demand in the final fortnight, how close to kick-off you buy, the title context and whether the seat comes with hospitality. Face value gives a useful anchor. For the 2025/26 derby, Benfica charged €50 to €75 in the Emirates and BTV stands and €25 to €50 in the Sagres and Mais Vantagens stands, with Piso 1 the dearest level in each.
The visiting allocation is priced separately. Sporting charged its members €31 for away seats at the 2025/26 derby and sold them in phases, so even the lowest face value in the ground was only available to a closed group.
Resale prices sit far above those figures because so few seats reach the open market, and many listings for this derby are single seats rather than pairs. The ranges below reflect typical resale asking prices for this fixture across the market in October 2026.
| Ticket Type | Resale Price Range | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper tier (Piso 3), Sagres or Mais Vantagens | £160 – £220 | First-time visitors on a tighter budget | High seats with the whole bowl in view |
| Lower tier (Piso 0), Sagres or Mais Vantagens | £170 – £250 | Fans who want to be near the organised support | Close to the supporter zones, so expect noise and standing |
| Upper tier (Piso 3), Emirates or BTV | £190 – £290 | Buyers wanting a side-on view at a fair price | Clear tactical view from the longer stands |
| Lower tier and Piso 1, Emirates or BTV | £230 – £450+ | Pairs and small groups wanting a prime sightline | Central seats near halfway draw the strongest demand |
| Executive seats and boxes | £500 – £1,200+ | Corporate guests and special occasions | Inclusions vary by listing, so read the notes |
Prices reflect typical resale ranges and may change as demand and availability shift closer to the match.
Two points are worth knowing. Prices may not fall as the derby approaches, because the pool of seats is small from the start and many listings are single seats. And the moment Liga Portugal confirms the kick-off time can move the market, as overseas buyers who were waiting on a firm time start booking travel and seats together.
The Luz opened in October 2003 and was expanded to 68,100 seats in 2025. Its four stands carry sponsor names (Emirates, BTV, Sagres and Mais Vantagens), and each is split into Piso 0 (lower), Piso 1 (the executive level) and Piso 3 (upper). The Presidential Tribune sits in the Emirates stand, which also holds the top boxes.
| Area | What It Suits | Pricing Bracket | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates stand | Buyers wanting the main-stand experience | Upper | Home of the Presidential Tribune, top boxes and central executive seats |
| BTV stand | Neutrals wanting a side-on view | Mid to upper | Same face-value band as the Emirates stand; strong views from Piso 3 |
| Sagres stand, Piso 0 | Fans wanting atmosphere | Lower to mid | Includes one of Benfica's organised supporter zones; expect standing |
| Mais Vantagens stand, Piso 0 | Fans wanting atmosphere | Lower to mid | Includes Benfica's other supporter zone; among the loudest seats in the ground |
| Piso 3, all stands | Value seekers | Lower to mid | The highest seats; a long climb but a full view of the bowl and the displays |
| Sporting allocation | Sporting members buying through their club | Set by Sporting | Segregated section of around 3,500 seats in 2025/26, sold to Sporting members only |
The level matters as much as the stand. Piso 0 puts you close to the pitch and, at the ends, beside the organised supporter zones. Piso 1 is the executive level, with the highest face values and the lounges behind it. Piso 3 is the upper tier, higher and steeper but with a full view of the choreography that both sets of supporters bring to this fixture.
Benfica has longer-term plans to grow the Luz towards 70,000 and add safe standing on the lower level, so seat maps and row numbers can change between seasons. Rows were renumbered after the 2025 expansion, so check the block and row on any listing against the current layout rather than an old ticket.
Neutral buyers and first-time visitors usually do best on Piso 3 of the Emirates or BTV stands, where you see the whole pitch and both sets of supporters without sitting among the organised groups. Every resale seat sits in a home area, so Sporting supporters should leave green and white at the hotel and stay neutral throughout.
Benfica's premium offer runs through the Corporate Club. Boxes come in Platinum, Gold and Silver grades holding 12 to 21 guests, and Executive Seats pair a season seat with a named lounge or restaurant, including the Amsterdam and Bern rooms beside the Presidential Tribune, the Luz restaurant and a package linked to the Benfica Museum. The newest, the Emirates Lounge, opened in October 2026 with 160 seats at around €12,500 per seat for the season, and it sold out for 2026/27.
| Hospitality Option | Typical Buyer | Main Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Platinum or Gold box | Companies and large groups | A private box in the Emirates or BTV stand with premium catering and parking |
| Silver box | Smaller corporate groups | A private box in the Sagres or Mais Vantagens stand for 12 to 18 guests |
| Executive Seat with lounge | Couples and small business groups | A central seat with dining in one of the stadium's lounges or restaurants |
| Piso 1 seat | Buyers wanting comfort without a full package | The executive level, with the highest face-value band in each stand |
Boxes and Executive Seats are sold on season contracts, so hospitality for a single derby reaches the market only when holders release their places. Each listing states what is included, from food and drink to parking and lounge access, so confirm those details before you pay.
For corporate buyers, a box is the only way to keep a group together in one private space at this fixture. Boxes in the Emirates stand sit closest to the Presidential Tribune and carry the highest catering grade, while Silver boxes at the ends offer the same privacy at a lower level of service.
Benfica's tickets are digital. Seats can be shown in the SL Benfica app, digital tickets are emailed up to 12 hours before the match, and Red Pass seats can only be shared through the app. A buyer purchasing for someone else must enter that person's details, and the club lists a citizen card or ID as a required document.
| Delivery Type | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Shared through the SL Benfica app | Download the app before you travel and confirm the ticket appears under your account |
| E-ticket by email | Expect it close to matchday; check that the details shown match your ID |
| Mobile transfer | Ask how and when the seller releases it, as timing varies by listing |
| Hand delivery in Lisbon | Confirm the meeting point, timing and contact number in writing |
Read the listing notes for the delivery method before you buy, and carry the passport or ID used for any ticket details. Children aged three and over need their own ticket, and under-threes are not admitted to the stadium. Charge your phone fully and download the ticket before leaving the hotel.
Arriving early has a bonus. The Benfica Museum sits at the stadium complex and makes a good pre-match visit, though opening arrangements on derby days can differ from normal hours, so check before you plan around it.
For the two derbies at the Luz in 2025, gates opened two hours before kick-off, and police operations around the ground add time to every arrival. Lisbon police run a large operation on derby days and close roads around the stadium, so taxis and ride-hailing cars drop passengers further away than usual. Colégio Militar/Luz and Alto dos Moinhos on the Blue metro line are the closest stations; both are crowded after the final whistle, so many visitors wait a while before heading for the platforms.
1BoxOffice has been a verified ticket marketplace since 2006. Under its 150% guarantee, if your tickets do not arrive and no alternative is offered, you are eligible for a full refund and may also receive a credit voucher worth 50% of the original order value, excluding fees and taxes, capped at £125.
Step1
Find the derby
Open the Lisbon derby listing for 27 December and check the seats available. If nothing suits you yet, use the Request Ticket option to register the stand, level and number of seats you need.
Step2
Create or log in to your account
Use the 1BoxOffice register option to set up an account, or log in if you already have one. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport.
Step3
Select your seats
Choose your stand and Piso using the guide above. If you are travelling as a group, confirm in the listing notes that seats are together, as many derby listings are single seats.
Step4
Review your order
Check the stand, level, number of tickets, total price and delivery method before you continue. Changes are much harder once payment has gone through.
Step5
Complete payment
Pay through the secure checkout and keep the confirmation email, which carries your order reference.
Step6
Follow your order to matchday
Use track order to see delivery progress, and watch your email for any request for ticket-holder details.
Lisbon is one of the easiest football trips from the UK and the Gulf. Humberto Delgado Airport sits close to the city, and the Red metro line from the airport connects with the Blue line that serves the stadium. From the Gulf, direct services link Dubai and Doha with Lisbon, and the UAE is four hours ahead of Lisbon in winter, so an evening kick-off ends after midnight in Dubai. Book flights and hotels early, because the derby falls in the busy week between Christmas and New Year, when fares and room rates can climb.
Leave room in your plans for the kick-off time. The equivalent derby in December 2024 kicked off at 20:30, so a late finish is possible; book flexible travel where you can until Liga Portugal confirms the slot. If you are buying for a group, confirm in the listing notes that seats are together before booking non-refundable travel.
Stay near the Blue line if you can: Marquês de Pombal, Avenida and Restauradores are all central, well served by hotels and a direct ride to the stadium without changing lines, which matters on a late night when the platforms are busy. A rechargeable transport card bought at any metro station covers the airport line and the Blue line, so load it with enough credit for the return trip before matchday.
A longer stay opens up more football. Benfica host OFI Crete in the Europa League on 10 December and AZ Alkmaar in late January, both easier entry points for supporters who cannot get into the derby. The return fixture, Sporting against Benfica at Alvalade, is set for Matchday 33 in May 2027.
Geography sharpens everything about this fixture. The two grounds sit only a few kilometres apart in the north of the city. Workplaces and families are split between the clubs, and the result follows supporters into every conversation until the return meeting in May.
The new Luz opened in October 2003, and Sporting spoiled its first league derby with a 3-1 win in January 2004. Benfica answered over the following decade. From 2008 to 2014 they won six league meetings in a row at the stadium, all without conceding, building a home record against their neighbours that still defines the fixture.
The last ten years have been far tighter. Sporting won 3-0 at the Luz in October 2015, their biggest league win at the new stadium, and won again in December 2021. Five of the last nine meetings have been draws, including a 1-1 in May 2025 with the title on the line, so neither side arrives at the Luz assuming anything.
Benfica's home record has held up even through the tighter years. After the 2015 defeat they went five league derbies at the Luz unbeaten, from December 2016 to May 2021, and since the December 2021 loss they are unbeaten in four more. Sporting's wins at the new Luz have come in clusters separated by long gaps, which keeps the pressure on the visitors every time they cross the city.
What sets this fixture apart is how rarely the visitors win. Sporting have won four of 23 league meetings at the new Luz, yet all four came by two goals or more, so when the derby turns their way it tends to turn sharply.
The figures below cover all 23 Liga Portugal meetings at the new Estádio da Luz with Benfica as hosts, from 2003/04 to 2025/26.
| Metric | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 23 |
| Benfica wins | 11 |
| Sporting wins | 4 |
| Draws | 8 |
| Benfica goals | 33 |
| Sporting goals | 26 |
| Biggest Benfica win | 2-0 (five times, most recently 11 Feb 2014) |
| Biggest Sporting win | 0-3 (25 Oct 2015) |
| First league meeting in scope | 04 Jan 2004 |
| Most recent meeting in scope | 05 Dec 2025 |
Figures calculated from the match-by-match results below, cross-checked against Transfermarkt, ESPN and RSSSF records.
| Date | Score (Benfica first) |
|---|---|
| 05 Dec 2025 | 1-1 |
| 10 May 2025 | 1-1 |
| 12 Nov 2023 | 2-1 |
| 15 Jan 2023 | 2-2 |
| 03 Dec 2021 | 1-3 |
| 15 May 2021 | 4-3 |
| 25 Jul 2020 | 2-1 |
| 25 Aug 2018 | 1-1 |
| 03 Jan 2018 | 1-1 |
| 11 Dec 2016 | 2-1 |
| 25 Oct 2015 | 0-3 |
| 31 Aug 2014 | 1-1 |
| 11 Feb 2014 | 2-0 |
| 21 Apr 2013 | 2-0 |
| 26 Nov 2011 | 1-0 |
| 19 Sep 2010 | 2-0 |
| 13 Apr 2010 | 2-0 |
| 27 Sep 2008 | 2-0 |
| 29 Sep 2007 | 0-0 |
| 29 Apr 2007 | 1-1 |
| 28 Jan 2006 | 1-3 |
| 14 May 2005 | 1-0 |
| 04 Jan 2004 | 1-3 |
Results verified against Transfermarkt, ESPN and RSSSF, with Portuguese press archives used as a further check.
The 2026/27 Liga Portugal meeting at the Estádio da Luz is scheduled for Sunday 27 December 2026. Liga Portugal sets the exact kick-off time a few weeks ahead, so recheck the time in your order before you travel.
Yes, every child aged three and over needs their own ticket, and children under three are not admitted to the Estádio da Luz.
Sporting supporters are placed in a segregated section sold by Sporting to its own members. Anyone in a home area should stay neutral and avoid wearing Sporting colours.
Most seats arrive digitally, either shared through the SL Benfica app or as an e-ticket close to matchday. Each listing states its delivery method, so read it before ordering.
Yes, filter by quantity and check the listing notes, which state whether seats are together. For larger groups, an early request gives a better chance of seats in the same row.
Sources: Liga Portugal, SL Benfica, Sporting CP, Transfermarkt, ESPN, RSSSF, A Bola, Record, Correio da Manhã, Observador, Flashscore. 1BoxOffice is an independent secondary ticket marketplace and is not affiliated with SL Benfica, Sporting CP, Liga Portugal or any club or governing body.