Benfica & Estádio da Luz Sporting & Estádio José Alvalade

Football in Lisbon

Football holds a significant place in Portuguese culture, with passionate fans and intense rivalries. Lisbon boasts two major teams: Benfica and Sporting. Benfica, with its legendary history dating back to the era of Eusébio, calls the impressive Estádio da Luz home. Meanwhile, Sporting Lisbon, housed in the purpose-built Estádio José Alvalade, stands as a formidable competitor. Both teams compete in the Primeira Liga, alongside Belenenses SAD and their older counterpart, Clube de Futebol of Belenenses. In Sintra, the Estadio do Sport União Sintrense hosts third-division matches. Stay updated on fixtures and news with the daily football newspaper, Bola, available at newsagents or online. For tickets, opt for advance purchase at kiosks for a hassle-free experience.

BENFICA & THE ESTÁDIO DA LUZ

Benfica & The Estádio da Luz

Benfica

Sport Lisboa e Benfica, affectionately known as Benfica, stands tall among Portugal's renowned football clubs. Established in 1902, Benfica holds a prestigious position in the country's "Big Three," alongside Sporting and FC Porto. The club's emblem, featuring an eagle, has earned them the moniker "águias," while fans fondly refer to them as the "Reds." Benfica boasts an impressive record, clinching nearly forty league championship titles and securing back-to-back European championships in 1961 and 1962, a feat unmatched by any other Portuguese club. Their consistent presence in Portugal's Primeira Liga underscores their dominance. The annual Lisboa derby between Benfica and Sporting ignites fierce rivalry and captivates fans across the nation.

Estádio da Luz

The current Estádio da Luz, constructed in 2004, replaced the original stadium to host the Euros, involving an investment of nearly €165 million. Designed by architect Damon Lavelle, the stadium maximises natural light with transparent materials. With a seating capacity exceeding 65,000, it offers a remarkable fan experience. Visitors can explore the Museum Benfica onsite, featuring an indoor pool, a panoramic restaurant, and various shops, including the Benfica Megastore. Even on non-match days, touring the stadium is a must for football enthusiasts and tourists alike.

Inauguration year:	2004
Capacity:	65, 000
Getting There:	Bus: 750, 754, 58B, 76B Metro: Colégio Militar/Luz, or Alto dos Moinhos. (Blue Line)
Contact Details:	Av. Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, 1500-313 Lisbon. 38° 45' 09.5" N \| 09° 11' 05.1" W +351 217 219 590 visitasestadio@slbenfica.pt Website
Opening Hours::	Stadium & Museum: 10h00 – 18h00

The Benfica Stadium is a popular attraction in Lisbon. To visit it you'll need to buy an entrance ticket or join a guided tour.

Estádio da Luz & Museum: Skip the line ticket

ONLINE TICKET

• Enter the main entrance at Avenida Machado Santos and go to the Official store (the building on the left)

• Take "Fast Track" line 1 or 2 and show your smartphone ticket to get it scanned. The staff will then give you instructions for the tour

Step in the footy-mad footsteps of S.L. Benfica's legendary players and learn about victories (and defeats) on a fact-filled tour of the Estádio da Luz! See the VIP areas, walk the player's tunnel, peek into the dressing rooms and get the lowdown on the team at the S.L. Benfica Cosme Damião Museum. This guided tour takes you to the scene of the 2014 Champions League final! Get the full lowdown on the team at the S.L. Benfica Cosme Damião Museum!

The Skip--the-line ticker includes:
•   Entrance to the stadium
•   Entrance to the Benfica Museum
•   Access to VIP areas
•   Access to the player tunnel and dugouts
•   Access to the visiting team dressing rooms
•   Audio guide (as an app on your smartphone)
•   Guided visit

Daily 10h00 - 18h00

Mad About Lisbon

Sporting & Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting

Sporting Clube de Portugal, commonly known as Sporting CP, boasts a rich history dating back to 1906. In the inaugural Lisbon derby against Benfica in 1907, Sporting emerged victorious with a 2-1 win. Regarded as one of Portugal's "Big Three" alongside Benfica and Porto, Sporting features a rampant lion on its club badge, inspired by one of its founders, D. Fernando Castelo Branco (Pombeiro). The club has achieved remarkable success, including a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup title, making it the sole Portuguese team to accomplish this feat. Renowned for its legacy and competitive spirit, Sporting CP continues to be a dominant force in Portuguese football.

Estadio Jose Alvalade

Sportings' home ground is the Estádio José Alvalade. They have been playing on this spot since 1956 yet just as with Benfica the stadium was rebuilt for the 2004 European championships. It was designed by the architect Taveira and has a capacity of 50 thousand. To attend a Sporting match you can purchase tickets online or at kiosks. On site there's the Museu Mundo Sporting which celebrates the history of the club.

Inauguration year:	2004
Capacity:	50, 000
Getting There:	Bus: 44B, 206, 767, 778, 798 Metro: Campo Grande, or Telheiras (Yellow & Green Lines)
Contact Details:	Rua Professor Fernando da Fonseca, 1501-806 Lisbon. 38° 45' 40.6" N \| 09° 09' 39.0" W +351 217 516 000 geral.fundacao@sporting.pt Website
Opening Hours::	Stadium & Museum: 10h00 – 20h00