Campo de Benfica
Early home of Benfica and site of Portugal's first night match.
Campo de Benfica was a grass football pitch in Lisbon, Portugal. Benfica began using the site after merging with Desportos de Benfica on 17 September 1916, setting up its headquarters at the Avenida Gomes Pereira facilities. A football field had existed there since 1914, previously used by Lisbon clubs without their own grounds, such as GS Cruz Quebrada. Benfica signed an annual rent agreement with the landowner, Empresa dos Melhoramentos de Benfica, for 840$00 escudos, paid monthly in advance at 70$00 escudos. The club left Campo de Sete Rios and built stands holding 10,000 spectators, plus a tennis court. On 25 March 1919, Benfica hosted Portugal’s first night football match, using 1,000 candles and 18 reflectors. By 1923, the Lisbon Municipality planned a road linking Estrada de Benfica to Estrada Nacional, which would cross the field—though the road was not built until 1997, 74 years later. After 1923, Benfica moved to Sporting CP’s Estádio do Campo Grande and Império Lisboa Clube’s Campo de Palhavã until Estádio das Amoreiras was completed in 1925. Between 1916 and 1923, Benfica played 27 matches at Campo de Benfica, winning 11, drawing 6, and losing 10, scoring 56 goals and conceding 45.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Opened
- 1917
- Closed
- 1923
- Owner
- Municipality of Lisbon
- Surface
- Grass
- Cost
- 840$ per year
- Capacity
- 10,000
- Record Attendance
- 10 000
- Tenants
- Sport Lisboa e Benfica (1917–1923)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The field had existed since 1914, originally used by Lisbon clubs lacking their own grounds, such as GS Cruz Quebrada. Benfica leased the land from Empresa dos Melhoramentos de Benfica (EMB) for an annual rent of 840$00 escudos, paid monthly in advance at 70$00 escudos. After leaving Campo de Sete Rios, Benfica built stands with a capacity of 10,000 and an additional tennis court. On 25 March 1919, the field hosted the first night football game in Portugal, illuminated by 1,000 candles and 18 reflectors. By 1923, the Municipality of Lisbon planned to build a road crossing the field, though the street was only constructed in 1997, 74 years later. After 1923, Benfica moved to other grounds until Estádio das Amoreiras was completed in 1925.
Reader's Guide
Campo de Benfica holds significance as the early home of Benfica during a formative period of the club's history. It was the site of Portugal's first night football match, a pioneering event that used 1,000 candles and 18 reflectors. The field also illustrates the club's early infrastructure development, including stands for 10,000 spectators and a tennis court. The lease arrangement with EMB and the eventual relocation due to municipal road plans reflect the challenges faced by growing clubs in urban Lisbon. Between 1916 and 1923, Benfica played 27 matches there, winning 11, drawing 6, and losing 10, with 56 goals scored and 45 conceded. The field's legacy is tied to Benfica's transition from rented grounds to a permanent stadium.
Did You Know?
- Benfica paid an annual rent of 840$00 escudos for the field, in monthly installments of 70$00 escudos.
- The first night football game in Portugal was played here on 25 March 1919, lit by 1,000 candles and 18 reflectors.
- The planned road crossing the field was only built in 1997, 74 years after the municipality's initial proposal.
More in Club History & Eras
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