Estadio Vicente Calderón
Estadio Vicente Calderón is the home stadium of Club Atlético de Madrid. It currently has a capacity of 54,960 seats.
In the first half of the 20th century Atlético played its home matches at the Estadio Metropolitano, but by the late 1950s that stadium had proved too small and outdated for Atlético’s increasing support, and plans were made for the construction of a new stadium.
Land was bought on the banks of the river Manzaneras, and on the 2nd of October 1966 the new stadium opened under the supervision of then president Vicente Calderón. The first match played at the stadium was a league match between Atlético and Valencia, which ended in a 1-1 draw. The stadium counted with only seats, unique for the time, and the first large stadium in Europe to have so.
The stadium was initially called Estadio de Manzaneras, but its name was changed in 1971 in honour of the club’s president. Back then the stadium could hold 62,000 fans, but due to several renovations and increased safety requirements this was later reduced to its current capacity.
The stadium hosted three matches in the second group phase of the 1982 World Cup, among which the match between France and Northern Ireland (4-1).
Atlético has recently started with the construction of a new stadium at the site of Estadio de la Peineta, in the east of the city. This stadium, with a planned capacity of 67,500 seats, is expected to open in 2015.
Getting there
Estadio Vicente Calderon lies on the south-western edge of Madrid’s city centre, on the banks of the river Manzaneras and along the M-30 motorway which runs underneath the main stand. The stadium is an approximate 30 minutes walk from Plaza Mayor, and even less from Madrid’s Palacio Real (Royal Palace), from where it’s an almost straight walk south.
The closest metro station is Pirámides, from where it’s a 10-minute walk to the stadium. Pirámides lies on metro line 5, which crosses right through Madrid’s centre (e.g. stops Ópera, Callao, and Gran Via). Metro station Marques de Vadillo, also on line 5 and on the other side of the river, lies a 15-minute walk away from the stadium.
Pirámides station is also served by the Cercanía commuter trains. Line C-7 and C-10 connect the stadium with, among others, train stations Atocha and Chamartín.
Also, bus (EMT) 17, 18, 23, 34, 35, 36, 50, 62, 116, 118, and 119 all pass within the vicinity of the stadium.
Address: Paseo Virgen del Puerto 67, 28005 Madrid
Tickets
Tickets for Atlético games can be bought online, by phone +34 902 530 500, or at the ticket booths at the stadium.
Ticket prices depend on the opponent, generally starting at either €30.00 or €40.00, and ranging up to €80.00 or €90.00.
The club also offers hospitality packs that include a match ticket, guided tour, and visit to the museum that start at €40.00.
Stadium tours
Atlético Madrid offers guided tours around the stadium that include the dressing rooms, presidential suite, VIP areas, press room, dugouts, and a visit to the Atlético Madrid museum.
Tours run twice a day Tuesdays to Fridays at 1:00 pm and 5:30 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays tours run at 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm, 4:30 pm, and 5:30 pm. In the summer months (July, August and early September) tours run every day according to the weekend schedule.
The museum is opened from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm, or until kick-off on matchdays.
The tours costs €10.00. For reservations (groups) or more information call +34 91 365 09 31 or email museo@clubatleticodemadrid.com.
Relevant Internet links:
Clubatleticodemadrid.com – Official website of Club Atlético de Madrid.
Esmadrid.com – Official guide for the city of Madrid.
Metromadrid.com – Travel information on the Madrid metro.
Emtmadrid.es – Madrid public transport information.
