Champions League Final 2019: A guide to the Wanda Metropolitano 

The Champions League final is on the horizon and there’s no finer venue to host the 2019 spectacle than the Wanda Metropolitano, which is the home to La Liga giants Atlético Madrid. The Spanish side won’t be competing in the showpiece this year but whichever two finalists make it through, the setting is befitting to host Europe’s biggest club competition game.  

It’ll be the fifth time a European Cup/Champions League final has been held in Madrid, but the very first at the home of Atléti. Ahead of this year’s finale – which is due to be played on 1 June 2019 – we’ve pieced together a guide on the impressive stadium but before we run you through it, be sure to check out the latest Champions League betting odds.  

History 

Prior to its opening in 2017, the Wanda Metropolitano was previously known as Estadio de la Comunidad (Madrid Community Stadium – which opened in 1993), Estadio Olimpico de Madrid (Madrid Olympic Stadium) and most recently, La Peinta (The Comb Stadium).  

The latter was the result of Madrid’s bid to host the World Athletics Championship in 1997 but they eventually lost out to Athens, which resulted in the stadium going dormant until 2004. Later that year, new plans were laid down to build a new stadium as Madrid prepared a bid for the 2016 Olympic Games but were defeated by Rio de Janiero.  

In 2013, Atlético laid down plans to build a stadium on the site and ownership was officially transferred to the club later that year. Funds were freed up by the sale of their old home, the Vicente Calderon – where Atléti had played for 51 years. Three years later, the stadium name was decided upon and their first La Liga game was played on 17 September 2017.  

New Stadium 

The Wanda Metropolitano was warmly received by Los Rojiblancos supporters and the club’s new era got off to a winning start, as they beat Malaga 1-0 with Antoine Griezmann scoring the game’s only goal.  

It wasn’t a fairy-tale start in terms of Champions League football at the Wanda Metropolitano, as Premier League side Chelsea claimed a 2-1 win. Not only was it the first time Atléti had tasted defeat in their new home, it was the first-ever time an English side were victorious against them in Madrid.  

Atlético’s league form has been highly impressive since they made the switch in 2017, having only lost twice on home turf so far. Those defeats came to Real Madrid this season (1-3) and Espanyol in May 2018 (0-2).  

 Champions League Final  

Whichever two sides make the final in June, it’ll be an experience to saviour for the supporters owing to the impressive features and benefits the Metropolitano offers. Not only can it seat over 67,000 fans, the Metropiltano boasts 7,000 VIP Suites with 79 of them classed as premium suites.  

Although it seems rather trivial, the LED installations and screens that are present in the stadium are mightily impressive and detailed. Supporters will be able to watch back key moments with considerable ease, no matter the angle they’re sitting at or how bright the sun is.  

Already, many figures associated with Atlético are labelling it as one of the best stadiums in Europe and that will be put to the test in June. Whoever makes the final, there’s no denying the Metropiltano is perfectly suited to hold a match of such prestige.