SL Benfica: extension of Estádio de la Luz capacity to 80,000, core of "Benfica District" project (€220m)

SL Benfica (Liga Portugal Betclic) have presented the "Benfica District" infrastructure project, which includes plans to increase the capacity of the Estádio de la Luz (Lisbon, Portugal) from 68,100 to 80,000, on 22/07/2025.

The club plans to invest €220m to fully finance the project, via financing spread over 15 years, and to generate additional revenue of €37m a year from the first year of full operation.

If the project receives the approval of the club's members at a general meeting to be convened for the purpose, Benfica is aiming to have the Benfica District operational for the UEFA Women's Euro 2029 (for which Portugal has submitted its bid to UEFA, with a decision to be made in December 2025) and the 2030 World Cup, co-hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco.

As well as extending the capacity of the Estádio de la Luz, the Benfica District project, prepared in conjunction with British architects Populous (who designed the stadium that opened in 2004), includes:
• A 10,000-seat multi-purpose pavilion (concerts, cultural events, esports, sports);
• two indoor sports halls (basketball…