Wanda Metropolitano

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The original stadium was built as part of Madrid's unsuccessful bid to host the 1997 World Athletics Championships, and was opened on 6 September 1994 by the Community of Madrid. It was closed in 2004 due to the city's unsuccessful bid for the 2016 Olympics. In 2013 it passed into the possession of Atlético Madrid. The stadium was rebuilt and the new facility was reopened to the public on 16 September 2017.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicked the pristine pitch as floodlights hummed to life, casting long, dramatic shadows across the empty stands waiting to be swallowed by a roar. A veteran player stepped from the tunnel, boots clicking on concrete, pausing beneath the vast, translucent canopy that seemed to hold up the Madrid sky itself. He turned toward the South Stand, imagining the sea of red and white flags already unfurling in his mind. This was no mere building; it was a vessel for a century of dreams. In the silence before kickoff, the air felt thick with history, as if past heroes watched from the rafters, waiting to see if today's warriors could etch another chapter into the legend.

Reader's Guide

The stadium had a capacity of 20,000 spectators upon its closure and re-opened with a seating capacity of 68,456 after it was rebuilt. By September 2023, this had been extended to a capacity of 70,460. The capacity then increased to 70,692 with the creation of two skyboxes, expanded VIP seatings, and an additional platform for persons with disabilities. The stadium hosted the 2019 UEFA Champions League final on 1 June 2019 and will host the 2027 UEFA Champions League final. It is one of the potential host venues for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Did You Know?

• The stadium was formerly known as Estadio de la Comunidad de Madrid, Estadio Olímpico de Madrid, and more commonly by its nickname Estadio de La Peineta.
• In 2016, naming rights were acquired by the Wanda Group. Following the expiration of that deal at the end of 2021–22 season, Cívitas Pacensis became the naming rights partner. On 9 October 2024, Riyadh Air became the nam
• The stadium was the first 100% LED stadium in the world.
• On 17 March 2019, the stadium hosted a women's league match between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona with 60,739 spectators, beating the worldwide record for a women's football match between clubs.

Origins and Evolution

Originally conceived as part of Madrid's ambitious but unsuccessful bid to host the 1997 World Athletics Championships, this venue began construction in 1990 under a design by Cruz y Ortiz. Completed in late 1993 at a cost of €42 million, it opened in September 1994 with dignitaries including IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch in attendance. The single-tier structure, holding just 20,000 spectators, earned the enduring nickname 'La Peineta' or 'The Comb Stadium' due to its distinct architectural resemblance to a traditional hair comb. Following the loss of the athletics championship to Athens and subsequent failed Olympic bids for 2012, 2016, and 2020, the facility languished hosting minor events before being acquired by Atlético Madrid in 2013. This pivotal transfer allowed the club to demolish the old structure, removing the athletics track and lower seating tiers to construct a modern football-specific arena that would eventually replace their historic Vicente Calderón home.

Rebirth as a Football Fortress

After years of delays caused by economic crises and Olympic disappointments, the site was officially transformed into a state-of-the-art football stadium. Purchased from the City Council for €30.4 million in March 2017, the new facility reopened on September 16, 2017, with Atlético Madrid defeating Málaga 1–0 in their inaugural La Liga match. King Felipe VI attended this historic occasion where Antoine Griezmann scored the first goal in the stadium's history. The venue immediately established itself as a formidable fortress, though Chelsea became the first visiting team to secure a victory there just weeks later in European competition. Technologically advanced from its inception, it holds the distinction of being the world's first 100% LED stadium. Capacity has grown significantly since reopening, expanding from an initial 68,456 seats to 70,692 through the addition of skyboxes, VIP areas, and a platform for persons with disabilities.

Global Stage and Prestigious Events

The stadium quickly ascended to global prominence shortly after opening. In September 2017, UEFA selected it to host the 2019 Champions League final, marking a significant milestone as only the fifth European Cup final held in Madrid, with previous editions hosted by rivals at the Santiago Bernabéu. On 1 June 2019, Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in that final. Its reputation continued to grow when it was chosen to host the Spain national team's first match on its soil in March 2018, a friendly against Argentina that ended in a decisive 6–1 victory for the hosts. Looking forward, the venue has secured its place in future football history by being designated as the host for the 2027 UEFA Champions League final and listed as a potential venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. These selections underscore its architectural excellence and strategic importance within the international sporting calendar.

Naming Rights and Commercial Identity

Throughout its existence, the stadium's official name has reflected shifting commercial partnerships and administrative ownerships. Initially known as the Estadio de la Comunidad de Madrid or the Madrid Olympic Stadium, it was colloquially called La Peineta for decades. In 2016, Chinese real estate conglomerate Wanda Group acquired naming rights, leading to the moniker Wanda Metropolitano, which honored a historic pre-1966 Atlético arena while acknowledging the sponsor. Following the expiration of this deal at the end of the 2021–22 season, Cívitas Pacensis briefly held the rights. On 9 October 2024, Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's second flag carrier and an official club sponsor, became the new partner. Despite these commercial changes, UEFA regulations mandate that the venue be referred to simply as Estadio Metropolitano in all European marketing materials, preserving a consistent identity for international competitions regardless of private sponsorship deals.