Everything You Should Know About the Benfica Stadium & Museum

Located in the heart of Lisbon, the SL Benfica Stadium stands out as a visual treat in red and white. It seats a whopping 64,642 people, making it the largest football stadium in all of Portugal. Set high above the stadium are a web of 43-meter-hi...

Also Known As

Estádio da Luz (Stadium of Light)

Founded On

2003

Founded By

Damon Lavelle

Quick Information

ADDRESS

Av. Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, 1500-313 Lisboa, Portugal

RECOMMENDED DURATION

3 hours

Timings

10:00–19:00

TICKETS

From $15.28

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

Did you know?

Benfica’s victorious legacy is evident in the 87 trophies they’ve won. These include two Champion’s League trophies, 38 Primeira Liga titles, and 7 Taça da Liga championships, among several others.

The stadium was originally built as the venue for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament that Portugal hosted. It was one of the key locations for several matches over the tournament’s duration, including the highly anticipated final between Greece and Portugal.

The Benfica Museum features the legacy of Cosme Damião, the founder, coach, and midfielder for SL Benfica. The Museu Benfica - Cosme Damião is named after him.

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Why visit Benfica Stadium?

Benfica Stadium exterior with museum entrance in Lisbon, Portugal.

Benfica’s rich legacy: SL Benfica was founded in 1904 and has won more than 87 trophies since. This makes it one of the most decorated clubs in Portugal. Every aspect of the Benfica Stadium and Museum reflects this rich legacy, making these a must-add to your Lisbon bucket list.
Stunning architecture: The Benfica Stadium is nothing short of an architectural masterpiece. Its striking red facade, retractable polycarbonate roof, 43-meter-high arches, and endless stands make this sight an absolute riot for the senses.
Historical showcase: The Benfica Museum spans 4,000+ square meters over three floors and offers countless exhibits that showcase the club’s 120-year history since its foundation in 1904. From trophies to jerseys and thousands of documents and images, every element tells a unique story.
Modern marvel: Unlike many stadiums in Europe, the Benfica Stadium is befitting of a 21st-century sporting arena. It boasts state-of-the-art facilities that help fans enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable matchday experience.

Benfica Stadium & Museum highlights

The stands

One of the key highlights of the stadium, even on non-match days, are the vast stands. Spread over four floors, they offer seating for 64,642 spectators cheering for their favorite teams and players. The seats on Floor 0 also offer ample seating for those with functional disabilities, making it highly accessible.

The Hall of Fame

The stadium's Hall of Fame pays tribute to some of Benfica’s most iconic players, including Eusebio, Nani, and Rui Costa. It’s the perfect place to find out how they’ve contributed to the club’s legendary 120-year legacy.

The Benfica Virtual Lift

The Benfica Virtual Lift does more than just transport you across the stadium’s three floors; it features 120 screens of 47 inches each that present a riveting rundown of some of the club’s key moments in history.

The trophy collection

The Benfica Museum features the entire collection of trophies the club has won over the years—87 in total. These include the two UEFA Cups, the Portuguese Cup, and some of the 38 Primeira Liga trophies, among others.

The legacy of Cosme Damião

The Benfica Museum has an entire section dedicated to its founder, Cosme Damião. He’s known as the Father of Benfica FC and was its first captain and coach. The exhibits tell you everything you need to know about his contribution to the club’s foundation and its success over time.

History of the Benfica Stadium & Museum

Benfica Stadium light show during a football match in Lisbon, Portugal.

The Benfica Stadium was opened in October 2003, about seven months after the original Estádio da Luz was closed. The new stadium was built as a venue for the 2004 UEFA Euro tournament after the general assembly of the Portuguese Football Federation rejected a proposal to renovate the original stadium for it. It was built at a cost of €162 million.

Since its opening in 2003, the stadium has hosted several notable matches, including the 2014 and 2020 finals of the UEFA Champions League. Within 15 years, it had also hosted more than 17 million spectators.

The Benfica Museum, also known as the Museu Benfica – Cosme Damião, was inaugurated in July 2013 and named after Cosme Damião, the founder of SL Benfica and its first captain and coach.

Architecture of the Benfica Stadium

The Benfica Stadium was designed by the renowned architect Damon Lavelle, the man behind the designs of the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the Fisht Stadium in Sochi, Russia. The stadium is designed to accommodate a whopping 64,642 spectators, although Damon states that it can be expanded to accommodate 80,000 if needed.

One of the stadium’s unique characteristics, which also lends it its nickname (the Stadium of Light), is its polycarbonate roof. The key benefit of this material is that it allows natural light to flood the stadium during the day. What’s more, it can also be retracted when the weather takes a turn for the worse, allowing matches to continue uninterrupted.

The roof is supported by tie beams of four steel arches, each 43 meters high and key to defining the stadium’s visual appeal.

Frequently asked questions about the Benfica Stadium & Museum

Where is the Benfica Stadium located?

The stadium is located at Av. Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, 1500-313 Lisboa, Portugal. | Find on Map

Who is the architect of the stadium?

The stadium was designed by the architect Damon Lavelle. His vision brought to life a modern facility with a seating capacity of 64,642, offering fans an unparalleled viewing experience.

What is the stadium famous for?

The Benfica Stadium is nicknamed the Estádio da Luz or the Stadium of Light due to its unique design. It’s also famous for being Portugal’s largest football stadium, and the most beautiful stadium in Europe according to an online poll from 2014. Needless to say, it’s also the home ground of one of Portugal’s most decorated football clubs.

What’s inside the Benfica Stadium & Museum?

The stadium has several highlights, including the stands, the press conference room, the players’ tunnel, the Benfica Virtual Lift, and the Hall of Fame. The museum features the entire collection of trophies the club has won, along with images, documents, and other memorabilia

When is the best time to visit?

The ideal times to visit the stadium and museum are during the spring and autumn months. The weather is pleasant and the stadium isn’t too crowded. During your visit, you should ideally visit the stadium and museum on a weekday to enjoy fewer crowds, unless you book tickets for the weekends which are typically match days in Europe.