ESSMA Lisbon Stadium Tour with visits to SL Benfica and Sporting CP

In total 38 ESSMA delegates from 17 different stadiums, clubs, federations and leagues participated in the ESSMA Lisbon Stadium Tour, supported by Populous, with visits to SL Benfica and Sporting CP.

Part one of the tour focused on the daily operations at Estádio da Luz with a presentation by Henrique Conceicão - Events, Innovation and Business Development Director at SL Benfica - on how the club's organisational leadership status shaped its strategic development. Henrique gave more insights in the overall organisation and evolution of SL Benfica as a club and the stadium during the last three decades. In addition, Pedro Félix - Facilities Director at SL Benfica - presented several facts and figures concerning the facilities at both the stadium and the club’s training facilities. Furthermore, Tom Jones – Senior Principal at Populous – the architects of Estadio da Luz gave a brief presentation on trends in stadium design and renovation. Afterwards, participants enjoyed an in-depth stadium tour with several stops including the Benfica Academy, Corporate Club and hospitality rooms, facilities department, pitch, matchday operations department, etc.

“Populous was delighted to meet with ESSMA members to discuss recent trends in stadium design and renovation as part of the Estadio da Luz stadium tour in Lisbon. 15 years after our practice completed the design for the stadium, it was immensely satisfying to see that the Estadio da Luz remains a world-class venue, and the opportunity to connect with so many senior representatives from within the sports industry was invaluable.”

Sporting CP was the next stop of the Lisbon Stadium tour where participants took part in an Estádio José Alvalade tour and learned more about the club’s daily operations. Guided by Facilities Director Ricardo Gonçalves and his colleagues, the ESSMA delegates had the opportunity to discover all technical areas of the stadium and ended the tour with a visit to the club’s museum.

Afterwards, the ESSMA delegates travelled to Porto to join us during the fifth ESSMA Summit at Estádio do Dragão.