Saturday, 5 Oct 2024

Wanda Metropolitano: The Home of Atletico Madrid

The Wanda Metropolitano is a remarkable stadium that has undergone several transformations since its opening in the 1990s. Initially built with the intention of hosting the 1997 World Athletics Championships, the stadium was named Estadio de la Comunidad de Madrid. However, Madrid lost the bid to Athens, and the stadium was left unused. Fast forward to the present, the stadium has been completely renovated and redesigned to accommodate over 65,000 passionate Atletico Madrid fans.

Despite Atletico Madrid being overshadowed by their more illustrious neighbors, Real Madrid, both in terms of success and stadium size (the Santiago Bernabéu can host over 80,000 fans), the Wanda Metropolitano stands as a symbol of pride for the club. Renovated prior to the 2017-2018 season, it is now one of the most modern stadiums in Spain.

Stats

  • Year Opened: 2017
  • Capacity: 68,457
  • Average Attendance: 54,379
  • Record Attendance: 66,591 (Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid in 2017)
  • Pitch Size: 105 x 68 (7,140)
  • Nickname: La Peineta
  • Former Name: Estadio de la Comunidad de Madrid, Estadio Olímpico de Madrid, Estadio de La Peineta
  • Owner: Atlético Madrid
  • Sponsor: Wanda
  • Clubs Hosted: Atlético Madrid
  • First Fixture: Atlético Madrid v Málaga on September 17, 2017
  • Year Founded: 1903
  • Nicknames: Colchoneros, Rojiblancos, Atleti
  • Club Mascot: Indi
  • Rivals: Real Madrid, Barcelona
  • Previous Stadiums: Ronda de Vallecas, Estadio Metropolitano de Madrid, Vicente Calderón
  • Kit: Red, White & Blue (Home) / Dark Blue & Red (Away) / Light Blue (Third)
  • Training Ground: Ciudad Deportiva de Majadahonda
  • Shirt Sponsor: Plus 500
  • Team Owner: Atlético HoldCo, Idan Ofer
  • Record Goalscorer: Luis Aragonés (173)
  • Record Appearances: Adelardo (551)
Tham Khảo Thêm:  Top 10 Players With Most Goals In A Premier League Season (+Top 5 Teams)

Wanda Metropolitano Photos

Seating and Ticket Prices

The Wanda Metropolitano is designed in a bowl style, featuring seating tiers around the stadium. The Fondo Norte and Fondo Sur are located behind the goals, while the Lateral Este and Lateral Oeste run alongside the pitch. The stadium also offers boxes and executive suites for a premium experience.

Ticket prices at the Wanda Metropolitano vary depending on the location within the stadium and the opponent. However, the club does offer discounted tickets for members of their official supporters group. Here are the ticket prices for Atlético’s match against Girona during the 2017-2018 season:

  • Fondos: €40 – €50
  • Lateral Este: €30 – €80
  • Lateral Oeste: €30 – €100

There is also a 25% discount for senior citizens and a special “bench experience” ticket in the Lateral Oeste stand.

How to Get Atlético Madrid Tickets

Getting tickets for Atlético Madrid’s matches can be challenging due to the team’s popularity and the stadium’s smaller size compared to other major stadiums. For online ticket sales, the best places to start are the club’s official website and entradas.com. Alternatively, you can call the ticket office or visit in person on match days. The ticket offices open three hours before the game until kickoff.

Getting to Wanda Metropolitano

  • Train: The stadium is situated in the North-East part of the city, near the airport. You can easily reach it by taking the Metro to Estadio Metropolitano, one of Madrid’s largest Metro stations.
  • Bus: Several local buses, including the 140, E2, 28, 38, and 48, have stops near the stadium.
  • Car: The M-201 and E-5 are the main roads leading to the stadium.
  • Air: The Wanda Metropolitano is closest to the Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport. However, if you prefer to be closer to the city center, the Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport is your best option.
  • Taxi: A taxi ride from the Palacio Real de Madrid to the stadium costs around €25 and takes approximately 20 minutes.
Tham Khảo Thêm:  7 Soccer Gifts for Boys

Parking Near Wanda Metropolitano

With 4,000 parking spaces available, including both indoor and outdoor options, finding parking near the stadium should not be an issue.

Wanda Metropolitano Hotels

Madrid offers a wide range of accommodation options, catering to the needs of tourists visiting the city.

Pubs and Bars Near Wanda Metropolitano

In addition to traditional Spanish bars, Madrid has a surprising number of English and Irish-style pubs.

Hospitality and Private Hire

Atlético Madrid provides excellent VIP facilities at the Wanda Metropolitano, including private boxes and executive seating, for those seeking a premium match experience. The club also offers the stadium for private hire, making use of its cosmopolitan location.

Stadium Tours and Museum

A tour of the Wanda Metropolitano allows visitors to explore various areas, such as the players’ tunnel, pitchside, press office, dressing rooms, stands, VIP areas, and the museum. The tour, including museum entry, costs €22 for adults and €16 for juniors. Club Members enjoy a 50% discount, and children under 3 enter for free.

About Atlético Madrid

Founded in 1903 as Athletic Club de Madrid, Atlético Madrid was the brainchild of three Basque students living in Madrid. The club, originally created as a youth branch of Athletic Bilbao, later merged with dissidents from Real Madrid. Despite living in the shadow of Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid has achieved success in Spanish football, winning the La Liga and Copa Del Rey titles ten times each. They have also been runners-up in the European Cup three times.

Wanda Metropolitano History

Designed by Cruz y Ortiz, the stadium’s construction began in 1993. Originally with a capacity of around 20,000 seats, the stadium earned the nickname ‘La Peineta’ (‘The Comb’) due to its unique design. After being abandoned in 2004, the stadium faced numerous proposed uses, including becoming the Estadio Olímpico de Madrid for the 2016 Summer Olympics (which ultimately went to Rio de Janeiro). In 2013, Atletico Madrid took over the site and transformed it into their new home. The stadium was named the Wanda Metropolitano in 2016, thanks to a sponsorship agreement with the Wanda Group. For UEFA or FIFA events, the ground is referred to as the Estadio Metropolitano.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  Referees and Match Officials

Future Developments

As the Wanda Metropolitano only recently opened in 2017, no significant developments are expected in the near future.

FAQs

[Insert frequently asked questions related to the Wanda Metropolitano here]

Conclusion

The Wanda Metropolitano stands as a testament to Atletico Madrid’s legacy and dedication to their passionate fanbase. With its modern design and impressive facilities, the stadium provides an unforgettable experience for football enthusiasts. Whether you’re attending a match, taking a stadium tour, or exploring the museum, a visit to the Wanda Metropolitano is a must for every football fan in Madrid.