Estádio da Luz stadium proposals include new indoor arena and 10,000-capacity fan plaza
Populous has been appointed to work on a masterplan to upgrade Benfica’s Estádio da Luz stadium in Lisbon.
Among the initiatives planned by Portugal’s most famous football club, which has won a record 38 Primeira Liga titles, will be a new integrated LED façade that, Populous said, “weaves a dynamic digital layer across the entire structure, illuminating the architecture on matchdays”.
The club’s current ground was rebuilt in 2003 and the latest plans will see a 10,000-capacity multi-purpose indoor arena built along with two indoor sports halls, with capacities of 2,500 and 1,500 respectively, a swimming pool as well as a 500-seat theatre and a rooftop football pitch.
The project has been billed as a scheme that “will modernise the stadium’s facilities and introduce new venues, amenities and public spaces to the surrounding precinct, creating a valuable civic asset and supporting the club’s long-term financial sustainability”.
Proposals also include a fan plaza in front of the stadium’s main façade, which the architect said had been inspired by Lisbon’s civic squares such as Praça do Rossio.
With capacity for over 10,000 fans, the plaza will feature a DJ deck and event space, along wth food and beverage outlets, retail and restaurants. A statue of Eusébio – arguably the club’s most famous player who died 11 years ago – will be relocated to the main entrance to the plaza.
A new fourth level will be added to the 68,100-capacity stadium, outside the seating bowl, providing 6,800sq m of mixed-use space that includes the potential for club offices, increased capacity for premium hospitality and commercial facilities.
Populous principal Jorge Betancor, who leads the firm’s operations in Portugal, said: “The Estadio da Luz is one of Portugal’s and Europe’s most iconic stadiums. This project will modernise its facilities and create new amenities within the precinct for both spectators on matchdays and the public year-round – aligning it with developments such as Wembley Stadium and Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.”
Portugal is co-hosting the 2030 World Cup along with Spain and Morocco, with the Estádio da Luz named as one of the host venues.
Populous has been working on the Benfica plans in tandem with local practice Saraiva + Associados.
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