One of European football’s most iconic stadiums, the Stadio Da Luz, the home of Benfica FC, has played host to several football’s most important games.
Replacing the original Stadio Da Luz in 2003, the venue has been a significant addition to European and International football, and as well as serving as a hostile base for Benfica, it’s welcomed some of the game’s biggest ever fixtures and players.
Here, we’ll take a look at the Lisbon stadium and what it means to the supporters of Benfica, and football fans in general.
Benfica Stadium History – Tracing the Footsteps of Legends
Opening in 2003, the Stadio Da Luz was vital in Euro 2004 being a success with Portugal being the host nation and then going all the way to the final.
With Benfica’s high standing in the game secure due to their incredible legacy in European football, the original Stadio Da Luz was a globally renowned stadium, and it was the setting for Benfica to build their superb reputation in the game.
With football advancing quickly in the 21st century, Benfica also had to move with the times and that meant a new stadium just after the turn of the millennium.
With Euro 2004 serving as Portugal’s opportunity to show themselves as a footballing powerhouse, the new stadium was crucial for them to usher in a new era, but they were sensationally beaten by Greece who caused one of the biggest shocks of all time at the new stadium in the Euro 2004 final.
The new stadium is seen as one of the finest in Europe and after the original helped Benfica become one of football’s most iconic side, the new surroundings have still ensured that Benfica continue to be one of Portugal’s most successful sides.
Benfica Stadium Renovation – Elevating Tradition to Modernity
With Euro 2004 the biggest footballing carnival that Portugal had ever hosted, it was vital that their stadiums were able to provide the modern football fan with all their needs.
Stylish and elegant, the new stadium had big shoes to fill thanks to the original glory of the first Stadio Da Luz, but the transition has been a successful one and the venue, with all its fresh perks, is highly sought after in footballing circles.
UEFA are huge fans of the stadium and have used the venue on many occasions, sometimes in extreme circumstances. During the 2020 pandemic, a number of latter stages in the UEFA Champions League were played at the Stadio Da Luz including the final where Bayern Munich beat PSG.
The ground always has the ability to switch to a concert venue and in 2024, it’ll host the eagerly anticipated Taylor Swift tour.
Benfica Stadium Capacity – Echoes of Roars and Cheers
As Portugal’s biggest football venue, the atmosphere at the Stadio Da Luz is one of the finest in European football and it’s allowed Benfica to enjoy years of success in their transformed home.
As well as serving as one of the footballing cathedrals of Portuguese football, the venue is also on the bucket list for travelling football fans who often travel to Portugal to take in a game at the stadium, fully aware of Benfica’s rich history.
The 64,000-capacity stadium can create stunning occasions when Benfica host great rivals such as Sporting Lisbon or Porto, and the noise inside has often got them over the line in many crucial games.
Where is Benfica Stadium? – Embraced by the Heart of Lisbon
The Stadio Da Luz is approximately eight KM away from the centre of Lisbon but that doesnt prevnett their passionate supporters from gathering in the centre before making their way to the stadium.
The ground is served by public transport with visitors able to take the Blue Metro line if travelling by train.
The following buses also stop at the stadium – 703, 726, 729, 750, 765, 767, 768, and 799.
Matchday Traditions – Enchanting Moments at Stadio Da Luz
Benfica’s most ardent supporters, The Benfiquistas, hold the responsibility when it comes to creating a special atmosphere at Stadio Da Luz and singing the club’s anthem, Ser Benfiquista.
The Marquis of Pombal Square is the meeting point for many of Benfica’s fans and that’s where numerous title celebrations have taken place whenever Benfica have enjoyed success.
Benfica Fan Tokens are now available, and you can be a part of one of Europe’s most famous clubs
What are Benfica Fan Tokens
A Socios.com Fan Token is a digital asset that transforms your passion into rewards. As a Fan Token holder, you have the potential to access once-in-a-lifetime experiences, exclusive benefits, and other perks for being what you’ve always been – a passionate fan. Fan Tokens empower you to vote in official team polls, predict results, check-in for games, play games, choose your favourite players and more while generating reward points that lead to extraordinary Fan Rewards.
Benfica Fan Tokens Holder Benefits & Rewards
Fan Tokens empower you to reward your passion. Think of unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like meeting the players, re-creating classic goals or even being a part of matchday in novel and exciting ways. You can win matchday tickets, VIP seats, behind-the-scenes access and more with your Benfica Fan Tokens.
Score Incredible Fan Rewards
Fans earn Fan Rewards by engaging with the team on the Socios.com app. Each time you predict and check into matches, play in-app games or vote in polls, you’ll score points. These points tally and enable you to get SSU. SSU are your in-app loyalty tokens, and you’ll trade these in for Fan Rewards.
Fan Tokens have enabled fans to travel with the first team, win unique match used merchandize and even enjoy VIP matchday experiences with team legends. Are you ready to get rewarded for your loyalty?
Vote In Polls and Make Your Mark on Benfica
Perhaps one of the most commonly used features on the Socios.com app is the voting system. Your Fan Tokens give you a say in your club. You’ll be able to pick shirt designs, stadium murals, official team merch and more. Whenever you use Fan Tokens, you always get to keep them, so keep impacting your side with your Fan Tokens.
Engage with Benfica for Experience and Leaderboard Points
Use your Fan Tokens to score XP and LP on the Socios.com app. XP are experience points, gained every time you level up. LP are leaderboard points, and these stack in Team Leaderboards. Here, you’ll compete with fellow fans to win huge prizes when you rank at the end of the season!
Score points each time you:
- Vote in polls
- Check in to matches – do this each matchday to bag easy points!
- Predict the score – get maximum points for the perfect score, and score when you guess the outcome too
- Play in-app games, Freekick challenge and Pop & Swap.
How To Buy Benfica Fan Tokens
- Download the Socios.com app and follow these three steps to get your first Benfica Fan Tokens:
- Open the Socios.com app and tap on Wallet.
- Top up your Wallet with our in-app currency, Chiliz ($CHZ)
- Tap on Sports, tap on All Teams and then hit Football to filter out football teams. Then search for Benfica and get your Fan Tokens using the $CHZ you just bought.
