The Estádio da Luz (pron. IPA /(ɨ)ʃ.'ta.ði.u dɐ luʃ/), officially named the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica and commonly mistranslated as Stadium of Light, is a football stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, the home of SL Benfica. It is also called A Catedral ("The Cathedral") by Benfica's supporters.

Luz is actually the area of Lisbon in which the Estádio da Luz stands and the word 'luz' happens to also mean 'light'. Hence the misnomer 'Stadium of Light' in English usage. The Stadium of Light in Sunderland, England may well have been inspired by this Lisbon 'nickname', though it has other well established reasons for bearing the name.

It hosted several matches in the 2004 European Football Championship, including the final. The previous Benfica stadium (also called "Estádio da Luz" and one of the largest stadiums in the world with 120,000 seats) was demolished and the new one was built for the tournament with a capacity of 65,400. The architect, Damon Lavelle, designed the stadium to use as much natural light as possible. It is classified by UEFA as a 5 star stadium, allowing it to host major European cup finals. The original Estádio da Luz, opened in 1954, hosted the 1992 European Cup Winners' Cup final before a crowd of well under 120,000, its absolute capacity in those years. Before that final it also hosted the 1991 FIFA World Youth Championship final held in Portugal with an impressive attendance of 130,000.

Name: Estadio da Luz (Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica) Inauguration: 25 October 2003 First match: Benfica-Nacional Montevideo 2-1 Capacity: 65,000 seats Address: Av. General Norton De Matos 1500, Lisboa Architect: Damon Lavelle

The famous old Estadio Da Luz may have seen the likes of Eusébio and Rui Costa in its day. It may have seen championship after championship during the glory days of the 50's and 60's, but as the famous old ground began fall into disrepair, so it seemed did the hopes of the Benfica team that played within. Without a trophy in years, financial problems and some dismal performances at home and in Europe became the story of the 1990's. Benfica desperatley needed to stop the rot!

(Source: Wikipedia)

Send by: Gh0st