Estádio da Luz (1954)

Lore & Background

Since the club's formation in 1904, Benfica had played mostly in rented fields. After a long process of negotiation with the municipality of Lisbon, it was established on 17 May 1946 that the club would leave the rented stadium and move back to the Benfica neighbourhood. The works officially started on 14 June 1953. Less than two years later, on 1 December 1954, the 40,000-capacity crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural match against rivals Porto. The stadium at first had a capacity of 40,000, but the first stage of the third tier was completed in 1960, increasing capacity to 70,000. The third tier was completed in 1985, setting the official capacity at 120,000. When the stadium was converted to all-seater in 1994, capacity was reduced to 78,000. Its demolition started in 2002 so the new Estádio da Luz could be built near the same area.

Reader's Guide

Some of the biggest attendances include a game against Porto with an estimated attendance between 135,000 and 140,000 people, the 1989–90 European Cup semi-final against Marseille, and the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship final between Portugal and Brazil with 127,000 people in each game.

Did You Know?

• The stadium was originally known as 'Estádio de Carnide' during the project and construction phases.
• The area north of the stadium is called 'Luz' after the church of Our Lady of the Light.
• The stadium was sometimes called 'A Catedral' (The Cathedral) by supporters.
• The 4 January 1987 championship match against Porto had an estimated attendance between 135,000 and 140,000.