While you are in Lisbon you might want to go watch a football (soccer) game, so this article will explain how to go to a Sporting CP game. I will also discuss how to tour José Alvalade Stadium and the Sporting CP Museum.
Sporting CP (also known as Sporting Lisbon) has won 54 major trophies, and superstars Luís Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo played for Sporting Clube de Portugal.
Sporting Clube De Portugal was founded in 1906 by José Alvalade. The Portuguese league was founded in 1934 and has historically been regarded as one of Europe’s top five leagues).
When does Sporting CP play?
In a typical year, the season runs from August until May.
On weekdays the team may play in Europa League or Champions League matches, depending on which competition they are involved in.
Weekends are reserved for the Portuguese league.
Where does Sporting CP play?
Sporting plays at the 50,095 seat Estádio José Alvalade.
The current José Alvalade Stadium built in 2003 cost roughly €120 million, replacing the club’s original José Alvalade Stadium that dated to 1953.
Cristiano Ronaldo played in only one game here – the stadium’s opening game against Manchester United in 2003. It was his last game in the stadium before leaving the club.
José Alvalade Stadium hosted five games in the Euro 2004 tournament. In 2005, José Alvalade hosted the Euro Cup Final between Sporting and CSKA Moscow.
Estádio José Alvalade was updated in 2023.
How to get to Estádio José Alvalade
Address: Rua Francisco Stromp, 4
GPS Coordinates: 38.761363695085926, -9.161634660975222
Transportation: metro yellow or green line to Campo Grande Station
Parking: If you are driving, take the E5 motorway and exit at Campo Grande. There are 1315 underground parking spaces, as well as several parking lots nearby.
Hotels near José Alvalade Stadium
Radisson Blue Hotel
Avenida Marechal Craveiro Lopes, 290
Located 328 feet from the Campo Grande Metro Station, The 420 square-foot superior room with two full beds, a safe, a bidet, a flatscreen TV, and wifi starts at $121 per night.
To book: https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/radisson-sas.en.html?aid=7930224&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
Lisbon Marriot
Avenida das Combatentes, 45
A 291 square-foot room air-conditioned room with a king-sized bed starts at $191. The room has a bathtub, a safe, a city-view, and free wifi. The Lisbon Marriott has an outdoor pool. Parking is available.
To book: https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/lisbon-marriott.en.html?aid=7930224&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2
Canas Guest House
Rua Joaquim Rocha Cabral, 22 An air-conditioned homestay with wifi, flat-screen TV, and kitchen. Stay with the owners and other guests in this nearby apartment. Parking and laundry are also available. Beds start at $107 per night.
If you will be spending more time in Lisbon, it would be more convenient to stay in a more central area of Lisbon such as Baixa, Lisbon’s downtown – Baixa: Everything you need to know Shopping enthusiasts should try Avenida da Liberdade. Even though it’s largely on a slope, the Alfama area appeals to most people. The Alfama District – A complete guide to Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood.
Is it safe to attend a Sporting CP game?
Absolutely. There is little violence or hooliganism, and there is a family atmosphere at Sporting games.
The organized groups of supporters singing and chanting (called hinchas or torcidas in Latin America) are called claques in Portugal. In Portugal, they do not have a reputation for brawling like they do in South America or other parts of Europe.
The organized groups supporting Sporting sit in Stand A in the south goal end.
Away fans sit in section A9, as well as possibly sections A7, A11, B7, B11, and B13 if needed. These areas are isolated and protected by police and event staff.
Where to buy tickets
In order to buy directly from the team online, try https://www.sporting.pt/en
Another option is to go to the ticket office on the east side of the stadium (Nascente) prior to game day.
Tickets generally go on sale ten days before the match.
The cheapest tickets available are for Stand B – in the south goal end. Expect to pay €22.
Fans with limited mobility can be accommodated in the north and south ends of the stadium, where there are adapted elevators and bathrooms. Fans with limited mobility tickets are allowed to bring one free guest for support.
You will need to show your ID when you buy your ticket and when you enter the stadium.
Ticket availability and prices
The average ticket price is between €25 and €45 depending on the importance of the match. The most popular matches will only be available for “socios,” – members of the official supporters’ club. With more than 160,000 socios, Sporting is the sixth largest athletic club in the world.
The classic games which might sell out are between Sporting and Benfica and Sporting and Porto.
Sporting has been playing crosstown rival Benfica since 1907.
The Sporting Experience
Sporting’s most famous player ever is Cristiano Ronaldo. He is considered to be one, if not the, greatest footballer of all time.
Entering and exiting the stadium you will find a festive atmosphere with everyone clad in green and white. There will be lots of vendors selling scarves, flags, and other team gear.
Also, you will have plenty of opportunities to buy beer, prego (a steak sandwich), or pão com chouriço (a sausage sandwich).
Sportings’ mascot is the white lion. The team is referred to as Os Leões Brancos.
Sporting Museum and Stadium Tours
If no home match is being played on the days that you will be in Lisbon, you can still arrange a tour of the stadium. Guided tours are available in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
As the tour begins, the infamous Door 10A – where the players enter the stadium, is unlocked and visitors are invited in to appreciate the club’s secrets and history.
You explore the press conference room, green hallways, the visitors’ locker room, sit in the players’ seats on the edge of the pitch, and take the VIP elevator up to the Presidents’ suite and try his chair, if you like. Then you get to enjoy the Sporting CP Museum at your own pace.
This 4000 square foot museum opened in 2004 and displays more than 1000 trophies won by Sporting in various sports. There are displays and video presentations highlighting the club’s history, players, managers, fans, and games.
Admission to the museum and stadium tour is €14 for adults who are not associates of the club. Children and seniors pay €7. A family package is available for €30.
Stadium tours are not allowed on game days or within 48 hours of an international competition.
Guided tours of the José Alvalade Stadium are available Tuesday through Sunday at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm.
Advanced purchase of tickets is not necessary (except for groups). You can walk up to Gate 1, or purchase tickets at the stadium in the Loja Verde Fan Store.
For more information about museum and stadium visits: https://www.sporting.pt/en/club/tours/the-museum/visit-the-museum
Sporting is not the only team in town
If Sporting doesn’t have a home date while you are visiting and you still want to experience a Portuguese football game, check to see if rival Benfica has a home game during your dates. For more information on Benfica and the Estádio da Luz, see my article, How to go to a Benfica game
