Estádio Cidade de Coimbra

Estádio Cidade de Coimbra
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 30,210
50,000 for concerts
Field size
105mx70m
Surface Grass
Construction
Opened 12 September 2003[1]
Renovated 2001–2003
Expanded 2001–2003
Architect António Monteiro , PLARQ / KSS Design Group Partnership
Tenants
Académica de Coimbra

The 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. Until 2003, it was called the Estádio Municipal de Coimbra (English: Municipality of Coimbra Stadium), or the Estádio do Calhabé, after the name of its location in 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.[2]

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 30,210 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 Dolce Vita, 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.[3][4] Curiously in both matches, the record for the European Championship's youngest goalscorer was broken, first by Wayne Rooney, then by Johan Vonlanthen.

Date Result Round
17 June 2004  England 3–0   Switzerland Group B
21 June 2004   Switzerland 1–3  France Group B

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 PR Friendly
8. 15 October 2013 3–0  Luxembourg 2014 World Cup qualification

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.[5]

In 2010, U2 played two sold-out shows in the stadium during their U2 360° Tour.[6]

On June 24, 2012, Madonna performed in front of 33,597 people as part of her MDNA Tour.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Estádio Cidade de Coimbra" [Stadium City of Coimbra]. AcadÉmica OAF (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  2. ↑ "Académica 1-3 Benfica". ZeroZero (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "Rooney stars as England get back on track". UEFA.com. 18 June 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "England challenge ignited by Rooney". UEFA.com. 22 June 2004. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "The Rolling Stones Estádio Municipal Coimbra Coimbra, Portugal Saturday September 27, 2003". IORR. 27 September 2003. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "U2 Setlist at Estadio Cidade Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal". Setlist.fm. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "Madonna at Estádio Cidade de Coimbra". Last.fm. 24 June 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2013.

External links

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Coordinates: 40°12′12″N 8°24′28″W / 40.20333°N 8.40778°W / 40.20333; -8.40778

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