Introduction to Lisbon
Why watch football in Lisbon?
The stunning capital city of Portugal is located on the Western coast of the Iberian Peninsula, where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic Ocean. Lisbon is a city steeped in football history and is responsible for producing some of the best talents in football history. Football in Lisbon is defined by a deeply passionate football culture, fueled by the fierce rivalry between Benfica and Sporting CP. Football in Lisbon is spectacular and unique.
Recently, I travelled 2,500KM to experience football in this amazing city, and it didn’t disappoint. I visited Lisbon for 3 nights, watched a Sporting CP match under the lights at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, and toured the breathtaking Estádio da Luz, home of the country’s most successful club, Benfica. The stadiums in this city are separated by just a few kilometres, and the century-long rivalry, which sparked in 1904, originated from historical social class divides.
This guide will provide you with all the essential information and tools required to have an amazing visit to the stunning Portuguese capital. Immersing yourself in the local culture and embracing the city’s football culture. I will aim to help visitors with buying tickets, navigating the city, giving safety advice and accommodation recommendations. My trip to Lisbon was fascinating and a real eye-opener to how the universal language of football translates across the planet.
Click here for City Guides Hub Page.
Clubs in the City
The city is characterised by intense, high-stakes matches, a focus on tactical, skilful play, and a profound, historic, and emotional connection to the local community.
The clubs have varying statures across the globe, with Benfica being historically more successful and having a significantly larger fan base. Benfica have 38 League titles compared to Sporting CP’s 21. Benfica have accumulated an impressive 84 total major trophies, which is 30 more than their city rivals. Benfica have a larger stadium and is the city’s only Champions League-winning representatives, holding two.
Despite Benfica’s dominant history, recent seasons have begun to show a shift in dominance. Sporting CP have won 3 League Titles in the last 5 seasons compared to Benfica’s 1. Sporting CP’s back-to-back titles signified a significant passing of the torch for the city’s best team. For the first time in 71 years, Sporting retained the domestic title.
Benfica have a vast array of legends, but there is one clear winner. Eusebio, who was nicknamed the “Black Panther”, is the undisputed symbol of the club. Eusebio played 15 seasons at Benfica (1960-1975). After 15 seasons, he departed as the club’s all-time top scorer with an incredible 473 goals in 440 competitive matches. Eusebio led Benfica to 11 Primeira Liga titles and secured the club’s second European Cup as Benfica beat Real Madrid 5-3 in 1962, scoring two goals. His legacy was cemented at Benfica, but also etched into the country’s history when he became the first player to win the Balon d’Or while playing for a Portuguese club in 1965.
The academies in this city are an essential anchor to the progression and betterment of both clubs. Both clubs act as global leaders when producing exceptional young talent and commanding eye-watering transfer fees for their young assets. The two clubs have an incredible alumni of players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Luis Figo (Sporting CP). Benfica have produced European stars such as Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Joao Neves. The most notable departure from either club is former Benfica star Joao Felix whom Benfica generated the 4th highest transfer fee in football history (126 million euros).
How to Get Tickets
Acquiring tickets for either of these clubs can be done via different avenues. The easiest and most reliable way is to purchase them through the club’s official website.
- Benfica: https://www.slbenfica.pt/en-us/loja/bilhetes/futebol-modalidades
- Sporting CP: https://www.sporting.pt/en/tickets-and-gamebox/tickets
The difficulty of purchasing tickets for these two clubs varies significantly depending on the opposition they are playing. When the city’s two clubs play each other in the ‘Derby de Lisboa’, the tickets become very hard to get, and the prices skyrocket. The game I attended was Sporting CP at home to relegation strugglers Estrela Amadora, which is not classed as a ‘big game’. The ferocious match against Porto also commands the country’s eyes and creates a great demand for tickets.
Outside of the country’s three big clubs competing against one another, tickets become much easier to acquire. So, for optimal ease and cheaper pricing, I highly recommend targeting other fixtures. Midweek games and night games also present visitors with the opportunity to go to games as demand is lower.
Alternatively, you can look to buy tickets through reputable third-party sources. These websites provide a ticket service whilst also giving you the option to book accommodation as part of the package. I would highly recommend using P1Travel, which helped to facilitate my fantastic trip to Lisbon. The website was smooth and easy to use, providing a range of football tickets all over Europe.
On my trip to Lisbon, I also took part in the amazing Benfica stadium tour and explored the club’s incredible museum, which boasts its extraordinary history. Displaying their 84 major honours, they also have an interactive room where visitors can play various football-related games.
Tickets for this amazing experience can be purchased directly through the previously provided link.
Furthermore, you can use https://www.getyourguide.com to purchase entry tickets, and certain package details include a complementary club scarf and a fridge magnet.
Prices based off my own travel:
- Match ticket prices: £25
- Stadium and Museum Tour: £15 (Scarf included)
Stadium Guides
Both the Estádio da Luz (Benfica) and Estádio José Alválade (Sporting CP) are very easy to access from the Lisbon city centre via the city’s fantastic and efficient metro system. These stadiums are both located in the Northern region of the city and are separated by just 2km. The Estadio da Luz is easiest to reach via the Blue Line of the Lisbon metro system to the Colegio Militar station. The Estadio Jose Alvalade is easily reached via the Green and Yellow metro lines at the Campo Grande station.
I personally travelled via the metro system as it is cheap and effective. Alternative routes are Bus or Uber, which are two very cheap travel options.
Matchday at Sporting CP
Sporting CP’s Jose Alvalade Stadium is named after the club’s primary founder back in 1885. The stadium holds up to 52,095 passionate supporters on any given matchday, making it the second biggest in the country. On arrival at the stadium, I was met by a sea of green and white raucous supporters. The passion from these supporters engulfed the surroundings, and the raucous welcome the team bus received by thousnads of gathering supporters. This displayed to me that these supporters fight for their team in every way possible, on and off the pitch.
Street vendors and merchandise sellers contributed to the matchday feel. Purchasing a scarf is essential for me at every stadium I visit as a tangible souvenir. The game I experienced provided a fantastic, but inclusive and family-oriented atmosphere. Sporting CP is a club for the people, and the local and authentic fan base is a core pillar of the club’s identity. This matchday experience felt real and passionate. Portuguese football prioritises supporters more than my country’s Premier League, which has become an economic powerhouse, becoming increasingly detached from the core fanbases, removing the authenticity from the stadiums.
After a brief look around the club shop, I entered the stadium to find my seat. Stadiums in Portugal do not sell alcohol on the concourses, so keep this in mind if you like to have a beer before the game.
Walking out of the concourse and being welcomed by a green horizon was a sight to behold. My seats provided me with a raised view up in the higher echelons of the stadium. These seats provided me with an exceptional view of the pitch and bench. I was also provided with an exquisite view of the ‘Curva Sul’, which is widely regarded as the stand with the best atmosphere located in the South region of the ground.
The pre-match atmosphere was electric and only improved during the light show, which added tension as Sporting looked to cement their position at the summit of the domestic league. Sporting went on to win this game 5-1 in a dominant display. The roar unleashed as each goal hit the back of the net was incredible. I was blessed with experiencing this 5 times.
As the goals flowed, the atmosphere only got better. The Jose Alvalade stadium transformed into a vibrant, high-energy spectacle. The numerous flares and pyrotechnics created a green mist that entrapped us all in a green cauldron of noise and colour as the home side did all they could to support their team.
Matchday Tips
I believe the optimal way to enjoy and fulfil your matchday experience can start by arriving 90-minutes before kick-off. Soak up the pre-match atmosphere by joining supporters in welcoming the team bus and doing a lap of the ground.
It is a supporter tradition to gather around the scattered food trucks around the stadium perimeter, enjoying local cuisine. Walk down the Rua Alameda das Linhas de Torres, which is the street that runs parallel to the stadium, which is a hub for supporters to enjoy local bars, with fans gathering in large numbers, enjoying beers and singing songs.
Enter the stadium approximately 45 minutes before kick-off. This is the ideal entry point, so you can watch the players warm up and see the stadium’s transformation from a quiet and chilled atmosphere to a thunderous arena of noise. At a minimum, make sure you arrive 10 minutes before to witness the breathtaking club anthem, ‘O Mundo Sabe Que’, which is set to the tune of ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra. This unwavering display of unified support contributes to an unforgettable atmosphere. The anthem binds 52,000 like-minded supporters, with the rendition being a proud moment for the supporters.
More things to do in Lisbon after matchday
Lisbon is a fantastic city to visit for football lovers, providing a city steeped in history and passion for the world’s most popular sport. Despite this, the city offers many more amazing activities and provides visitors with several fantastic ventures for travellers.
Lisbon is a unique city that offers its visitors a mix of historic charm and a modern culture. Start by exploring the narrow streets of the Alfama District, which is the oldest and most historic district of the city. The area is defined by narrow, mazy streets and colourful houses perched between the São Jorge Castle and the Tagus River. Visit the UNESCO-listed Jeronimos Monastery and take a ride on the city’s iconic tram 28. If you have more spare time, go and visit Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, which boasts stunning panoramic visuals of the city and visit Belem Tower.
Take a stroll along the Tagus Riverfront, enjoy the restaurants and bars as you take in the iconic scenery. With views of the 25 de Abril Bridge that connects the city.
Perfect day for Football Fans in Lisbon (Itinerary)
Morning: Start the day early by visiting Miradouro de Santa Luzia, which provides views of the sunrise as it ascends over the red-tiled rooftops with stunning visuals of the Tagus River. After this, walk past the iconic Lisbon Cathedral.
Midday: Visit Estadio da Luz (Benfica) and explore the stadium, and dive into the club’s illustrious history.
Afternoon: Take the 15E tram to Cais do Sodré for a 20-minute ride to the Belém district. Visit the Monastery and Belem Tower. Visit local cafes and bakeries to indulge in the country’s local dishes. Try the Pastel De Nata, which is widely considered one of the best pastries in the world.
Evening: Attend a match at the Estadio Jose Alvalade to watch Sporting CP and immerse yourself in the matchday culture and become a supporter for the day.
Night: Take a walk along the Tagus Riverfront and enjoy some food and drink at some of the nicest bars and restaurants the city has to offer.
Overall Matchday and City Ratings
| Category | Score (1-10) |
| Atmosphere | 8 |
| Fan Culture | 9 |
| Ease of obtaining tickets | 9 |
| Safety & Comfort | 10 |
| Value for Money | 10 |
| Local Beer (Super Bock, Sagres) | 9 |
| Overall Experience | 9 |
Lisbon is a city that appeals to all football fans across the world and will provide a world-class experience for any visitors. Lisbon provides an authentic and real look into Portuguese football culture. The deeply ingrained local passion and pride from the locals is in abundance, with the divide in the capital contributing to a football-crazed city.
For those who seek a more relaxed experience, Lisbon is perfect, with its chill city vibe and stunning architechture it is an ideal location for all visitors with a passion for football travel.
Travel & Accommodation
The Humberto Delgado Airport is well-connected, and travel from here to the city centre is simple and easy. I used the city’s metro system to navigate the capital and get to the city centre. I used the Red Line for travel to and from the airport. The city’s airport is well-connected across Europe and to several major cities. I flew from Manchester Airport with the return journey costing £100, but prices vary depending on the season. My visit took place in November, which is a cheaper time to visit.
To compare routes and prices from your closest airport, visit https://www.skyscanner.net/, which is my personal go-to when booking flights to get the cheapest rates.
Where I stayed
I stayed in an apartment in the heart of the city centre. This type of accommodation was far cheaper than hotels. I used Airbnb to book, which provided exceptional value. I recommend looking for accommodation in the Alfama District, which I believe is the best and safest area. My accommodation was located within 20 minutes of both the city’s football stadiums.
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