Heliópolis | |
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 Interactive map of Estadio Benito Villamarín | |
| Full name | Estadio Benito Villamarín |
|---|---|
| Former names | Estadio Heliópolis (1939–1961) Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera (1997–2010) |
| Location | Avenida de Heliópolis, s/n 41012Seville |
| Owner | Real Betis |
| Operator | Real Betis |
| Capacity | 60,721 |
| Record attendance | 59,916 (Real Betis vVallecano; 19 May 2024)[1] |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Renovated | 2025– |
| Expanded | 1982, 2000, 2017 |
| Tenants | |
| Real Betis (1929–present) Spain national football team (selected matches) | |
Estadio Benito Villamarín is a stadium inSevilla,Spain, and the home ofReal Betis since its completion in 1929. It has a capacity of 60,721.[2]
As early as 1912, the Spanish architectAníbal González Álvarez-Ossorio had an initial design of a stadium for theIbero-American Exposition of 1929. The executive committee has commissioned the architect Antonio Illanes del Río to complete the design in 1923.[3] Several locations were considered for the new stadium when finally the current location was chosen by commissar Cruz Conde.[3] The technical study for its construction was carried out by Manuel María Smith who has designed theSan Mamés Stadium of Bilbao in 1913.[3] The construction works were launched in 1923 and finally completed by the end of 1928.[3]
The newly builtEstadio de la Exposición was officially inaugurated on 17 March 1929, hosting an international match whereSpain defeatedPortugal 5-0. In 1936, Real Betis gained the lease of the stadium and became its sole tenant.[citation needed]
During theSpanish Civil War,Seville City Council requisitioned the stadium and handed it over to the military. The stadium suffered major damages as a result of the war and required renovation. The work was carried out with the help ofGonzalo Queipo de Llano, and the stadium was reopened on March 12, 1939.[citation needed]
In 1958, the extension of the northern and southern stands was carried out by the architectAntonio Delgado y Roig. In 1959 electric lighting was installed with 4 towers of 48 spotlights each.
On 12 August 1961, the stadium became owned property by Real Betis. Few days later, the stadium was renamed afterBenito Villamarín who served as the club president between 1955 and 1965. The stadium was blessed by CardinalJosé Bueno y Monreal.
Between 1971 and 1973, the northern and southern stands were entirely demolished to be rebuilt. With continuous expansion works during the 1970s, the capacity of the stadium was increased up to 48,500 spectators. However, major renovation works were carried out between 1979 and 1982 for the1982 FIFA World Cup and the capacity of the stadium was increased up to 50,253. The stadium hosted 2 group matches during the tournament.[4]
In 1997, the stadium was renamed after the then-club presidentManuel Ruiz de Lopera. However in 2010, Real Betis fans voted to change the name of the stadium back to honor former club president Benito Villamarín.[5]
In 2016, the southern stand of the stadium was demolished for expansion. After the most recent redevelopments, the total capacity of the stadium was increased from 52,000 to 60,721.[2] The expansion work was completed in August 2017 in time for the2017–18 La Liga season.[6]
In 2025, renovation of Benito Villamarin had begun main stand and move toEstadio de La Cartuja from 2025.[7]
The stadium hosted twogroup matches in the1982 FIFA World Cup.[8]
| Date | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 June 1982 |  Brazil | 4–1 |  Scotland | Group 6 | 47,379 |
| 23 June 1982 | Brazil | 4–0 |  New Zealand | Group 6 | 43,000 |
coordinates =37°21′23″N5°58′53″W / 37.35639°N 5.98139°W /37.35639; -5.98139
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1982 FIFA World Cup stadiums | ||
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