FC Porto (Estádio do Dragão)

In the wake of the 2004 European Championship, FC Porto made a significant move from Estádio das Antas to the impressive Estádio do Dragão, a creation of architect Manuel Salgado, conveniently situated just a few hundred metres away.

Construction commenced in late 2001 and concluded in November 2003, slightly behind schedule due to unforeseen challenges. In February 2002, Porto mayor Rui Rio altered estate distribution, criticising the plan for including high-scale housing and shopping for the area. This led to a temporary halt in construction. FC Porto’s chairman, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, resumed operations only after reaching a consensus.

The stadium’s name underwent internal debate, considering options such as retaining the old name or honouring club legends. Ultimately, it was christened Estádio do Dragão.

“The Dragon is in our symbol and the coat of arms of the city, there was no better way to symbolise the strength and vitality of FC Porto, neither the certainty of our future. There is no name that mythologically or ideologically conveys the will of new conquests like that of the Dragon,” said FC Porto president  Pinto da Costa, on the stadium name (May 2003).

The opening ceremony on November 16, 2003, featured a friendly match between FC Porto and FC Barcelona, ending in a 2-0 victory for the blue and whites. Notably, a 16-year-old Lionel Messi made his debut in that match.

Despite initial turf issues that prompted a brief return to Estádio das Antas, Estádio do Dragão hosted the opening match of Euro 2004 between Portugal and Greece.

In 2019, the stadium hosted the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament, won by Portugal and later, the 2021 UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester City and Chelsea, which was relocated from Saint Petersburg Stadium due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In addition, Estádio do Dragão is a potential venue for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by Portugal, Morocco, and Spain.

The FC Porto stadium has also been a venue for various events, including concerts by The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Muse, and One Direction.

Designed by Portuguese architect Manuel Salgado and constructed by the Portuguese contractor Somague, the stadium incurred a total cost of approximately €98 million, with a government subsidy of around €18.5 million. 

To offset expenses, each stand bears the sponsorship of one or two entities: Super Bock graces the south, tmn claims the east, meo adorns the west, and Coca-Cola the north.

A distinctive feature of the stadium is its captivating frame, boasting 21,000 square metres of azulejos—a captivating form of Portuguese and Spanish painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework.

For match days, away fans find their place in the right corner of the upper tier of the east stand. Meanwhile, the home Ultra groups, Super Dragões and Colectivo Ultras 95, command the south and north stands, respectively, echoing the arrangement from the previous stadium.

Estádio do Dragão has a capacity for 50,033 spectators, making it the third-largest football stadium in Portugal.

FC Porto does provide a tour of its stadium that include the presidential box, changing rooms, dugouts and on-site museum daily.

The tours last approximately 45 minutes.

The museum was inaugurated on 28/09/2013 and features the Intercontinental Cup, the UEFA Cup and the European Super Cup.

Prices:

• 0-4yrs – €0
• 5-12yrs – €10
• >=65 – €15
• 13-64 – €20

You can purchase tickets online (https://www.fcporto.pt/en/store/tickets), contact the dedicated phone line at +351 707 28 1893 (Linha Dragão), visit any of the Porto club stores (Loja Azul), or simply head to the ticket office at Estádio do Dragão.

Porto club stores, including those at Shopping Cidade do Porto (located southwest of the historic centre) and Arrábidashopping (situated on the south bank), offer additional accessibility for fans seeking to secure their seats.

Located approximately 3.5 km east of Porto’s historic centre, Estádio do Dragão offers various transportation options for a hassle-free journey.

For those opting to get to Estádio do Dragão by car, access is facilitated via the VCI (Via de Cintura Interna), a roadway running adjacent to the stadium, providing a direct link. Alternatively, navigating through the main Alameda da Antas from the city centre is a viable route, though it’s recommended to prioritise public transportation for smoother traffic flow.

Public transport, particularly the metro, stands out as the preferred mode of reaching the stadium. With its own station and well-integrated infrastructure, the metro connects different city areas and offers a direct link to the international Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. 

Metro options heading to Estádio do Dragão include:

– Line A BLUE (Estádio do Dragão ⇄ Senhor de Matosinhos)

– Line B RED (Estádio do Dragão ⇄ Póvoa de Varzim)

– Line E VIOLET (Estádio do Dragão ⇄ Airport)

– Line F ORANGE (Fânzeres ⇄ Senhora da Hora)

The STCP bus service also provides convenient routes to the stadium, and there are ample bicycle parking spots, numbering 150 in total.

The area surrounding Estádio do Dragão is mainly a blend of offices, retail spaces, and residential buildings. There is the Dolce Vita shopping centre situated adjacent to the stadium which features a standard array of food court restaurants, and coffee shops

While options for food and drink are available in the immediate area, it is advisable to explore the culinary delights of Porto’s historic centre. Boasting a diverse range of eateries and drinking establishments, the centre provides a more extensive and authentic range of options.

Several hotels near Estádio do Dragão cater to varying preferences and budgets. The AC Hotel Porto, situated right next to the stadium, receives positive reviews and offers reasonable pricing. Alternatively, the Porto Antas Hotel provides an equally excellent but more budget-friendly option.

For those with tighter financial constraints, B&B Portucalense or Villa Boutique might be suitable choices, despite being slightly further away from the stadium.

With public transport links to the stadium being very accessible, it is recommended to stay in Porto’s city centre to get a better feel for the city.

Porto’s primary rivalries unfold with the other members of Portugal’s ‘Big Three’—Benfica and Sporting CP. These rivalries arise from a historical, political, economic, and cultural clash between the cities of Porto and Lisbon.

The intensity of these rivalries escalated over the past decades, particularly following Pinto da Costa’s assumption of Porto’s presidency in 1982. Da Costa adopted a regionalistic and confrontational approach towards Lisbon, further fuelling the flames.

Of these rivalries, the clash with Benfica, known as O Clássico, stands out as the most passionate. It represents a collision between the most iconic football symbols from each city and the current most decorated Portuguese clubs.

Additionally, Porto maintains a robust rivalry with local counterparts Boavista, often referred to as O Dérbi da Invicta.

52,000 (FC Porto – FC Barcelona, 16/11/2003)

The stadium provides 34 wheelchair user spaces strategically located in both the North and South stands, each equipped with adjacent companion spaces.

For detailed information on optimal seating areas for spectators requiring easy access, consult with the club’s Disability Access Officer (DAO).

Additionally, there are two wheelchair user spaces in the hospitality section, accompanied by adjacent companion seating.

Unfortunately, concession areas are not directly accessible from the wheelchair user viewing areas. However, companions have the option to access these areas should a disabled spectator wish to make purchases.

To enhance accessibility, two spacious accessible unisex toilets are conveniently located near the viewing areas in both the North and South stands, offering left and right-handed transfers.

The Porto metro system is fully accessible for disabled passengers, ensuring level access at all stops.

FC Porto fixture list 2023/24