About Estadio da Luz
The Estádio da Luz (Stadium of Light), officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Lisbon, Portugal. It is the home ground of S.L. Benfica. It is the largest stadium in Portugal with a seating capacity of 64,642. The stadium opened on 25 October 2003, replacing the old Estádio da Luz.
It was built to host matches for UEFA Euro 2004, including the final. The architects, HOK Sport (now Populous), designed the stadium to focus on light and transparency, with a polycarbonate roof that allows sunlight to penetrate. The arches of the roof are visible from many parts of Lisbon.
Known as "A Catedral" (The Cathedral) by Benfica fans, it has hosted the 2014 and 2020 UEFA Champions League Finals. The traditional flight of the eagle, Vitória, before every home match is a spectacle that energizes the crowd. The stadium complex also includes the Benfica Museum and a large commercial area.
The ground is owned outright by Sport Lisboa e Benfica, a members-owned club (colectividade desportiva) with the largest sócio membership base of any sports club recognised by the Guinness organisation. Construction between May 2002 and October 2003 was carried out by main contractor Somague Engenharia SA under a design-build turnkey contract worth 165 million euros, and the entire funding package was raised through a specific stadium bond issuance placed with retail investors by Banco Espírito Santo in July 2001 offering a coupon of 4.75 per cent over 15 years. The land parcel at Avenida Eusébio da Silva Ferreira 1500-313 Lisbon covers 6.8 hectares carved out from the former José Aguiar aviation aerodrome that operated from 1917 until 1949.