Estadio Benito Villamarín

Estadio Benito Villamarín

Several architects were hired to design and construct the Estadio Benito Villamarín. The first sketches were already drawn in 1912 and they started building the stadium in 1923. The stadium was finished in 1928, but the inauguration match took place several months later in 1929. The stadium received the name Estadio de la Exposición. The stadium was requisitioned by the Seville city council during the Spanish Civil War. The damaged stadium needed repairment after the Civil War before it could be put to use again. The stadium reopened in 1939. 

Estadio Benito Villamarín’s history

The stadium was renovated another time in the fifties. The Estadio Benito Villamarín was expanded and many electrical lights were installed in the stadium. Real Betis Sevilla has been playing at the stadium since 1961. The stadium received the name Estadio Benito Villamarín. Señor Villamarín was the club’s president for ten years. The northern and southern stands were fully demolished to be rebuilt again, and this increased the capacity with 48,500. The stadium was renovated another time before the 1982 World Cup which increased the capacity again with no less than 50,253. The stadium was named after Manuel Ruiz de Lopera in 1997, but due to a vote of Real Betis fans it changed back to Estadio Benito Villamarín.

Visit the Estadio Benito Villamarín?

Are you in Seville and would you like to visit a match of Real Betis? Fortunately, you can visit the Estadio Benito Villamarín easily from Seville’s city centre. Bus one drives from the city’s centre to the stadium. Hop off the bus at bus stop Heliópolis and the stadium will be right in front of you. You can also take the train from Sevilla Santa Justa to station Sevilla-Virgin del Rocio. You’ll only need to walk another ten minutes to the stadium from that station. You can find other alternatives at this website. The website shows you how long each option takes and it gives you a rough indication of the costs. Make sure you leave well in advance to the stadium, because it can be busy in Seville on a matchday. Book your football trip to Real Betis Sevilla and have an amazing day at the historical Estadio Benito Villamarín!