Lisbon Stadiums
Estádio José Alvalade (new) - 52,000 capacity
The Estádio José Alvalade is the new home of Sporting Lisbon and built alongside Sporting's old stadium. The US$89m project is part of a larger development in Lisbon, called Alvalade XXI, incorporating a shopping complex, a bowling alley, the club's museum, a multiplex cinema and numerous restaurants.
Estádio José Alvalade was designed by Portuguese architect Tomás Taveira, who also designed Leiria Stadium and Aveiro Stadium. The stadium design incorporates Taveira's trademark bold and vivid color schemes.
The stadium was inaugurated with a match between Sporting and Manchester United in 2003, won 3-1 by the hosts and starring Ronaldo, in a performance which triggered his transfer to Manchester. The stadium was the host stadium for the 2005 UEFA Cup Final.
The stadium is named after the founder of Sporting, the aristocrat José Alvalade.
Sporting Lisbon are one of Portugal's big three clubs, the other's being Sporting's Lisbon rivals Benfica and northern giants, Porto.
Famous players who have worn the green and white hoops of Sporting include Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sporting have won over 40 domestic Portuguese titles and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1964.
Getting to Estádio José Alvalade
Estádio José Alvalade is in the north of Lisbon near the university area. Reached by metro to Campo Grande station or buses 1 or 36 from Rossio. The stadium is close to the E1 highway, take the Campo grande Exit 5. There are direct metro trains from Cais do Sodre and with one change from Apolonia Station.
A nearby hotel to the Estádio José Alvalade is the Radisson Blu, an upmarket but reasonably-priced accommodation.
Rua Professor Fernando da Fonseca
Apartado 4120
1501-806 Lisbon
Map of Estadio Jose Alvalade
Estádio da Luz (new) - 65,000 capacity
The Estádio da Luz replaces the old world famous Luz stadium at a cost of US$133m and is the home of Portugal's most famous club - Benfica. The Estádio da Luz was designed by architect Damon Lavelle for HOK Sport (now Populous) and opened in 2003. The same team were responsible for Sydney's Olympic Stadium.
The design of the Estádio da Luz focuses on the 'light' theme of the stadium's name (taken from the name of the locality) and the surrounding development incorporates facilities for other sports, a swimming pool, restaurants and an entertainment centre.
Estádio da Luz was the venue for the Euro 2004 final and the venue for the 2014 Champions League Final.
Benfica may be Portugal's most famous club and the team of the legendary Eusebio, but the Eagles have been eclipsed in recent years by the achievements of Porto, their northern rivals.
However, the club's honours include two European Cups as well as reaching numerous European finals and winning the domestic league over 60 times, more than any other team.
Getting to Estadio da Luz
Estádio da Luz is in the north-west of the city, off Avenida General Norton de Matos. Colégio Militar-Luz is the nearest metro station on the blue line. The Colégio Militar-Luz Station is part of the Centro Commercial Colombo shopping mall.
Take a subway from Restauradores and it is 9 stops to Colégio Militar Luz, taking just under 15 minutes. Lisbon buses 4, 64, 65 and 109 also run to Av. Colégio Militar. Bus 767 runs to Campo Grande and Sporting's ground.
Av. General Norton de Matos
1500-313 Lisbon
Map of Estádio da Luz
There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the vicinity of Estadio da Luz. Pride of place goes to the Catedral da Cerveja (Cathedral of Beer) with stunning black and white murals depicting the history of the club.
The 3°anel is a Portuguese restaurant/bar/cafe in the commercial building near the megastore. Chimarrao is a Brazilian carnivore's delight. The Sala Convivio near Eusebio's statue is popular with families watching their youngsters play on the training pitch below.
Also worth visiting is the excellent Museu Benfica Cosme Damião (Benfica Museum) which can be combined with a tour of the stadium including a changing room, the press room and a visit pitch side to see the club's symbolic eagle.
Estádio Nacional, Lisbon
The Estádio Nacional (Complexo Desportivo do Estádio Nacional / Complexo Desportivo do Jamor) is a sports stadium in Oeiras, a suburb of Lisbon in the southwest of the city about 12 km from the center. The stadium is the traditional home of the Portuguese Cup (Taça de Portugal) which has mostly been held here since 1946. It has also staged international games of both the men's and women's Portuguese national teams.
Estádio Francisco Lázaro
The Estádio Francisco Lázaro is the home of another Benfica. Not Sport Lisboa e Benfica, the club of Eusebio and other greats, but Clube Futebol Benfica. The ground is named after the Portuguese marathon runner, Francisco Lázaro, who died while running in the event at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. The club has 3,500 members, with around 1,150 athletes participating in a variety of sports, including men's football, women's football, athletics, field hockey, indoor hockey, gymnastics, and swimming.
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