Wanda Metropolitano (Riyadh Air Metropolitano) is the magnificent home of Atlético Madrid, located in Madrid and a symbol of vibrant European football and exciting international events.
Wanda Metropolitano, today also known by its official name Riyadh Air Metropolitano, is not just a football stadium but an architectural icon and a cultural symbol in the heart of Madrid. Since its impressive opening in 2017, it has become the new and magnificent home of the legendary Atlético Madrid, providing a breathtaking experience for fans from all corners of the globe. The modern structure, the innovative design and the electric atmosphere at every match make it a must-visit destination for every football lover visiting the Spanish capital. This is a place where history and football meet, and where unforgettable moments are created that influence global sports culture. If you are looking for tickets to Wanda Metropolitano, you are in for an unforgettable experience.
The story of Wanda Metropolitano begins even before its official opening. The site where it stands today previously hosted the "La Peineta" stadium (La Peineta), built in the 1990s mainly for athletics events. With Atlético Madrid's decision to move from its historic home, the Vicente Calderón Stadium, a huge renovation and expansion project began that turned "La Peineta" into a modern, world-class stadium. The stadium reopened in September 2017, receiving the name "Wanda Metropolitano", and later its current commercial name Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
The stadium was designed by the well-known architecture firm Cruz y Ortiz (Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos), and it stands out for its innovative and functional design. It holds 70,692 seats, all covered, and offers excellent viewing angles from every point. Its unique elliptical structure, impressive roof and the advanced technologies built into it make it one of the most modern facilities in Europe. It was designed with an emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, and is equipped with some of the most advanced lighting and sound systems in the world, providing an extraordinary visual and audio experience for fans.
The atmosphere at Wanda Metropolitano is among the most electric in European football. Atlético Madrid fans, known by the nickname "Los Rojiblancos" (the red-and-whites), create a lively and noisy atmosphere that is famous throughout the world. The non-stop singing, waving flags and uncompromising passion of the crowd make every Wanda Metropolitano fixture a powerful and exciting experience. The stadium was designed to maximize acoustics, causing the sound of the crowd to echo and intensify the match experience.
Since its opening, the stadium has hosted several notable international sporting events, including the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, in which Liverpool beat Tottenham. Hosting a final of such magnitude only strengthened the status of the Riyadh Air Metropolitano as one of the leading stadiums in the world. In addition to football matches, the stadium also serves as a stage for huge concerts and international cultural events, with world-class artists such as Ed Sheeran, Iron Maiden and The Rolling Stones performing there, proving its versatility and ability to host a wide range of major events.
Getting to Wanda Metropolitano is convenient and accessible, especially thanks to Madrid's excellent public transport system. The stadium is located in the east of the city, and can easily be reached by metro: Line 7 (the purple line) goes directly to "Estadio Metropolitano" station, which is right next to the stadium. This is the most recommended way to get there, especially on busy match days. In addition, several bus lines stop near the stadium, including lines 28, 38, 48, 140, 153 and E2, offering additional options.
For those arriving by private car, there is parking in the areas around the stadium, but it is very limited on match days and can be expensive. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to use public transport. For visitors from Israel, the most convenient way is a flight to Madrid-Barajas (MAD), followed by a metro or taxi ride to the city center, and from there to the stadium. The distance from the airport to the stadium is not great, and it can also be reached by taxi in about 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic.
