Benfica reveals €200m plan to renovate and expand Estádio da Luz

The project has been designed by architecture firm Populous alongside local partner Saraiva + Associados.

The scheme does not involve building a new stadium but focuses on modernising the existing facility, increasing its capacity, and delivering new fan and community infrastructure.

The stadium, originally completed in 2003 for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament, will retain its current bowl structure, while the wider campus is to be reimagined as a multi-use, year-round destination known as the “Benfica District”.

The planned works include a redesigned exterior façade featuring programmable LED lighting, and new shading in the concourse areas for improved comfort. A major addition will be a new fourth level on the stadium’s exterior, offering 6,800 square metres of space for club offices, hospitality, retail and other commercial uses. 

A new fan plaza modelled on Lisbon’s civic squares such as Praça do Rossio will sit in front of the main entrance, capable of accommodating up to 10,000 people. The existing statue of club legend Eusébio will be repositioned at the heart of this new public space.

Outside the stadium, the project will deliver a number of new facilities, including a 10,000-seat indoor arena for concerts, esports and sporting events, two smaller sports halls, a rooftop football pitch and running track, a swimming pool and a 500-seat theatre.

No confirmed start date has been announced, but Portuguese press reports suggest that construction could begin as early as mid-2027, with works expected to take two years. The redevelopment is set to be delivered in phases, allowing the stadium to remain operational during the construction process.