Estádio Cidade de Coimbra is a stadium in Coimbra, Portugal. This stadium belongs to the Municipality of Coimbra and is mainly used by the Académica de Coimbra's football team.
Estádio do Calhabé | |
 Estádio Cidade de Coimbra | |
 | |
| Former names | Estádio Municipal de Coimbra |
|---|---|
| Location | Coimbra, Portugal |
| Owner | Municipality of Coimbra |
| Operator | Académica de Coimbra |
| Capacity | 29,622[4] 50,000 for concerts |
| Field size | 105mx70m |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 12 September 2003[1][2] |
| Renovated | 2001–2003 |
| Expanded | 2001–2003 |
| Construction cost | €38 million[3] |
| Architect | António Monteiro , PLARQ / KSS Design Group Partnership |
| Tenants | |
| Académica de Coimbra | |
The stadium was rebuilt, expanded, and modernized to host some UEFA Euro 2004 matches. Far beyond the sports stadium itself, all the project, called Euro Stadium Project, included the possibility of organizing sports, culture, and commercial events, by the modernization of the entire Calhabé area in Coimbra.
On 29 October 2003, Académica de Coimbra played at home to Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the first official match in the remodelled stadium.[5]
Features
Its design does not involve any historical or traditional references, as the idea was to create a new, contemporary image with glass façades and an aesthetic roof supported by elegant stands. The existing athletics track has been preserved for possible use as a multi-purpose facility in the future. The stadium was designed by the Portuguese architectural firm Plarq in association with KSS Design Group of London. The Plarq team was led by the architect António Monteiro.
The stadium has 29,622 seats, two-thirds of which are covered. The complex boasts a large press centre, a bar, kitchens, and a restaurant with a panoramic view of the pitch. The project of the stadium took advantage of old seats: of close to 15,000 (all seated), involved the planned remodelling of the tier which extends around the entire perimeter of the previous stands, and a second tier above that, in the form of a "U", opening onto the slopes of the city at the North end.
A multi-purpose pavilion, olympic swimming pools, healthclub, gym, offices and studio apartment residences were built in the surrounding area. The Alma Shopping, a shopping and leisure center built near the stadium, includes cinemas, underground car parking, restaurants, and several retail outlets.
Major events
UEFA Euro 2004
The stadium hosted two UEFA Euro 2004 Group B matches: England 3–0 Switzerland and Switzerland 1–3 France.[6][7] Curiously in both matches, the record for the European Championship's youngest goalscorer was broken, first by Wayne “Babyface” Rooney, then by Johan Vonlanthen.
| Date | Result | Round | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 June 2004 |  England | 3–0 |  Switzerland | Group B |
| 21 June 2004 | Switzerland | 1–3 |  France |
Portugal national football team
The following national team matches were held in the stadium, both in its old and renovated shape.
| # | Date | Score | Opponent | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 13 April 1983 | 0–0 |  Hungary | Friendly |
| 2. | 8 June 1983 | 0–4 |  Brazil | Friendly |
| 3. | 9 June 1999 | 8–0 |  Liechtenstein | Euro 2000 qualifying |
| 4. | 28 April 2004 | 2–2 |  Sweden | Friendly |
| 5. | 12 November 2005 | 2–0 |  Croatia | Friendly |
| 6. | 15 November 2006 | 3–0 |  Kazakhstan | Euro 2008 qualifying |
| 7. | 3 March 2010 | 2–0 |  China | Friendly |
| 8. | 15 October 2013 | 3–0 |  Luxembourg | 2014 World Cup qualification |
Taça de Portugal final
The stadium also hosted the 2020 Taça de Portugal Final between both O Clássico rivals Benfica vs Porto also replacing Estádio Nacional that was supposed to be held but the original final match venue was unable to host the match due to security reasons and avoid the crowds of spectators to break the COVID-19 pandemic chain.[8][9][10][11][12]
| Season | Winners | Result | Runners-up | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Porto | 2–1 | Benfica | 1 August 2020 |
| 2020–21 | Braga | 2–0 | Benfica | 23 May 2021 |
Taça da Liga final
| Season | Winners | Score | Runners-up | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | Benfica | 2–1 | Paços de Ferreira | 23 April 2011 |
| 2011–12 | Benfica | 2–1 | Gil Vicente | 14 April 2012 |
| 2012–13 | Braga | 1–0 | Porto | 13 April 2013 |
| 2014–15 | Benfica | 2–1 | Marítimo | 29 May 2015 |
| 2015–16 | Benfica | 6–2 | Marítimo | 20 May 2016 |
Concerts
In addition to football, the stadium is often used for concerts of international artists with capacity up to 50,000 people.
The stadium was inaugurated with a Rolling Stones concert on 27 September 2003, attended by over 50,000 people.[13]
George Michael played there in 2007 during the 25 Live, with 39,639 spectators.[14]
In 2010, U2 played two sold-out shows in the stadium during their U2 360° Tour. Approximately 109,985 people attended the event.[15]
On June 24, 2012, Madonna performed in front of 33,597 people as part of her MDNA Tour.[16]
Coldplay performed at the stadium on 17, 18, 20, & 21 May 2023 as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour.[17]
| Date | Country | Artist | Tour | Opening Act | Attendance | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 September 2003 |  UK | The Rolling Stones | Licks Tour | — | 50,000 | — |
| 12 May 2007 | UK | George Michael | 25 Live | — | 39,639 | $4,439,568 |
| 2 October 2010 | UK | U2 | U2 360° Tour | Interpol | 109,985 | $9,925,611 |
| 3 October 2010 | ||||||
| 24 June 2012 |  USA | Madonna | The MDNA Tour | Martin Solveig | 33,597 | $3,156,022 |
| 17 May 2023 | UK | Coldplay | Music of the Spheres World Tour | Griff Bárbara Bandeira | 208,284 / 208,284 | $21,473,885 |
| 18 May 2023 | ||||||
| 20 May 2023 | ||||||
| 21 May 2023 |
References
External links
