The Metropolitano Stadium (Spanish: Estadio Metropolitano) is a stadium in Madrid, Spain. It is also known as Civitas Metropolitano due to a sponsorship deal. Since the 2017–18 season, Atlético Madrid has called this stadium home. It is situated in the San Blas-Canillejas neighborhood of Rosas.
The Community of Madrid opened the stadium on September 6, 1994, as part of an unsuccessful effort to host the 1997 World Athletics Championships in Madrid. After the city’s failed bid for the 2016 Olympics forced its closure in 2004, Atlético Madrid acquired the stadium in 2013.
After undergoing renovations, the stadium reopened to the public on September 16, 2017, for a La Liga match between Atlético Madrid and Málaga. Before its closure, the stadium could only hold 20,000 people, but after its refurbishment, it could hold 68,456.
On June 1, 2019, the final of the 2019 UEFA Champions League was held at the stadium.
Names of Civitas Metropolitan Stadium, Madrid
The name of the stadium may cause some confusion, and you may encounter several variant spellings, including but not limited to the following:
Atletico Madrid Stadium, Metropolitano Stadium, Atletico Madrid Metropolitano Stadium, Wanda Metropolitano Madrid, and El Wanda.
We know it’s confusing, but allow us to shed some light on the matter. Due to sponsorship rules, the stadium’s official name is “Estadio Metropolitano” in UEFA marketing materials.
The investment firm known as Wanda became the primary owner of Atletico Madrid in 2015 after purchasing a twenty percent stake in the club, and they began a five-year sponsorship arrangement with the club in 2017. Any of the other variants will do, as they are simply the result of evolution among fans and the media.
A new naming rights agreement with Real Estate firm Civitas was reached in 2022, and the club is now known by that name.
How to get to Civitas Metropolitan Stadium, Madrid?
There were discussions with the local government throughout stadium construction about improving roads near the stadium, creating more access points from the freeway, and adding more buses and metro lines. Many of these commitments have been fulfilled, and there are numerous options for reaching the stadium from anywhere in Madrid.
There are four Metro stops within a 5-15 minute walk of the Wanda Stadium. Line 7 stops at Estadio Metropolitano, Las Rosas, Canillejas, Las Musas, and Las Rosas. The Metro Estadio Metropolitano is the nearest, as it is directly in front, although it will be crowded on game days.
For a less crowded experience, we recommend alighting at Las Rosas or Canillejas and walking ten minutes to the stadium.
Here’s a quick rundown of the several bus routes that service the Atletico Madrid Stadium:
From Pavones to Canillejas, you can take Bus No. 140.
Bus No. 28 connects Puerta De Alcala and Canillejas.
Bus No. 288 connects Garcia Noblejas with the Cementerio Tanatorio.
Bus number 38 connects Manuel Becerra with Las Rosas.
The stadium is accessible through a short walk from the stops for the 28, 38, 48, 140, 153, E2, N5, and N6 (the latter two are night buses).
When driving to the Atletico Madrid Stadium, you can get off the M-40 at either the Arcentales or the 9A exit. Exit 8 is where you want to get off the A-2.
Designated parking spaces are available at the stadium. However, they are primarily reserved for season ticket holders who must buy a parking permit in advance of each game. Four hours before kickoff and two hours after the last whistle.
You can park in the surrounding neighborhoods; it will take you 10–20 minutes to walk there, but that’s not much longer than taking the bus and strolling.
Civitas Metropolitan Stadium design & inspiration from the Vicente Calderón
The stadium’s stunning exterior has a sequence of diamond-shaped plates in colors of blue, white, and red and was inspired by the Vicente Calderón, the previous home of Atlético de Madrid. The stadium’s seating is arranged in a bowl, providing spectators with a great view of the field, and a giant video screen is located at one end.
Atletico’s passionate fan base will always have a soft spot for Vicente Calderón. It was historic, marking the beginning of the club’s rise to prominence as one of Spain’s elite teams. Modern technology and faster admission and departure points have also altered the nature of match days permanently from the 54,907 capacity of the Calderon to the 68,456 capacity of the Metropolitano.
Concrete was used for the majority of the structure, while fiberglass was used for the roof. The LED lights inside and outside of the stadium are powered by solar energy, and the air conditioning and heating systems keep the spectators comfortable. When compared to the prior location, this one is a significant improvement. You can expect to see a variety of red and white components representing the team’s colors.
Conclusion
The magnificent Civitas Metropolitan Stadium is a paradise for football enthusiasts, with its state-of-the-art facilities and vibrant energy. This famous stadium, located in the middle of a busy metropolis, is a symbol of the fervor and devotion that people have for the beautiful game. Come along as we explore the impressive past, impressive present, and amazing future of Civitas Metropolitan Stadium.