Wanda Metropolitano

Wanda Metropolitano
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Name	Wanda Metropolitano
Location	Madrid, Spain
Opened	2017
Capacity	68,456
Owner	Atlético Madrid

Wanda Metropolitano is a football stadium located in Madrid, Spain, serving as the home of Atlético Madrid. Opened in 2017, it replaced the Vicente Calderón Stadium and has hosted domestic La Liga fixtures, UEFA competitions, and international concerts. The stadium is named after the Wanda Group and has been the venue for major events including the UEFA Champions League Final and matches involving the Spain national football team.

History

The site originally hosted the Estadio de la Comunidad de Madrid redevelopment and traces its lineage to earlier Madrid sports infrastructure projects associated with Atlético Madrid and municipal planning by the Community of Madrid. Plans to relocate from Vicente Calderón Stadium involved negotiations with the Madrid City Council, urban developers connected to the Wanda Group, and stakeholders such as the Royal Spanish Football Federation and La Liga. The redevelopment process referenced precedents like the renovation of Wembley Stadium and the construction approaches used at Allianz Arena and Emirates Stadium. The stadium’s inauguration featured dignitaries from UEFA, representatives of the European Club Association, and former players linked to Atlético Madrid's history, including figures associated with the club’s successful eras under managers like Diego Simeone.

Architecture and design

The design of the stadium reflects influences from contemporary European arenas such as Allianz Arena, Signal Iduna Park, and San Siro renovations, incorporating a bowl configuration and clear sightlines similar to projects by architects who worked on Olympiastadion (Berlin) and Aviva Stadium. Architectural firms collaborated with consultants experienced on Civic projects and sports complexes associated with clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. The façade employs a distinctive red and white palette tied culturally to Atlético Madrid's identity and echoes material choices found at MetLife Stadium and Red Bull Arena. Structural engineering references include practices used on Millennium Stadium and Stade de France, while acoustics and pitch orientation considered FIFA and UEFA standards observed at venues such as Stadio Olimpico.

Facilities and infrastructure

The stadium features VIP lounges, corporate boxes, press facilities, and mixed-use spaces comparable to those at Old Trafford and Camp Nou. Player amenities follow protocols from FIFA and UEFA including locker rooms, medical suites, and training recovery areas aligned with setups at Anfield and Celtic Park. Media facilities accommodate broadcasters like RTVE, Sky Sports, and beIN Sports, with integrated broadcast galleries modeled on systems used at Wembley Stadium. Security and operations draw on event management frameworks used by organizations such as the Spanish National Police for high-profile fixtures and by entities that managed events at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

Events and usage

The arena hosts La Liga matches for Atlético Madrid and has staged UEFA Champions League fixtures, contributing to competitions that include clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain. International fixtures have involved the Spain national football team and touring sides from CONMEBOL nations for friendlies. Beyond football, the venue has been selected for concerts by international artists who have also performed at Wembley Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and Stadium of Light, as well as for corporate events attended by delegations from entities like the International Olympic Committee. Major sporting events held at the stadium include the 2019 UEFA Champions League Final, which featured clubs associated with the European Club Association and attracted guests from UEFA leadership.

Transportation and access

Access to the stadium integrates with Madrid’s transport network, including connections to Estadio Metropolitano (Madrid Metro) station on the Metro network, commuter rail services provided by Cercanías Madrid, and regional bus routes coordinated by the Consorcio Regional de Transportes de Madrid. Road access links to major thoroughfares such as the M-40 and public transport interchanges serving areas like Barajas and central Madrid. Event-day logistics reference crowd-management practices used at major European venues including those overseen by the Madrid City Council and law enforcement coordination with the Spanish National Police and local emergency services.

Category:Football stadiums in Madrid Category:Atlético Madrid