The stadium was originally called theEstadio Manzanares, but this was later changed to the Vicente Calderón Stadium, in honour of their long-term PresidentVicente Calderón.[2] The stadium closed in 2017 after the conclusion of the2016–17 season, with Atlético Madrid moving toMetropolitano Stadium for the following season. Demolition began in 2019 and completed the following year.
The original capacity from 1966 was 62,000 people. For the1982 World Cup it was decided to add another 4000 seats, so the capacity from 1982 to 2001 was 66,000. After 2001 downsizing of the stadium started in small steps until its closing in 2017, when it stood with just below 55,000 seats.
A notable, and rather spectacular feature of the Vicente Calderón, was that theM-30 dual carriageway, running from the South Node Toledo Bridge, passed below one of the main stands.
Construction of a new stadium to replaceEl Metropolitano originally began in 1959, but came to a halt following financial problems. The ground eventually opened in 1966 as the Estadio del Manzanares, being renamed Vicente Calderón in 1972.[3] The Stadium had a capacity of 62 000 people seated when opened in 1966. For the World Cup there was called for even more people in the Stadium, so by 1982 the capacity was 66 000 people. The 66 000 capacity was kept until 2001 when downsizing started in small steps at a time.
The final match at the stadium was on 28 May 2017, between a past and present Atlético side and a world XI.[4]
North external view of the stadium.
South external view of the stadium.
Northwest internal view of the stadium.
South end stand view of the stadium.
Demolition of the stadium (July 2019)
BothBruce Springsteen andThe Rolling Stones played here in 1988 and 1981.Bruce Springsteen had an attendance of 70 000 People on August 2, 1988.The Rolling Stones had attendance of 68 000 people. The Springsteen concert and the Springsteen Concert in Camp Nou in front of 95 000 people were the fastest selling tickets ever in the history of Spain.On 23 September 1992Michael Jackson held a sold-out concert as part of hisDangerous World Tour to 54,907 people. During his stay in Madrid, he visited numerous hospitals where sick children were kept who needed treatment and help for diseases and other conditions that were discovered during birth. Mexican pop groupRBD recorded theirHecho en España DVD on 22 June 2007 during their Tour Celestial at the stadium. This tour spawned eight concerts throughout Spain.
The Estadio Vicente Calderón was located on the banks of theManzanares river. The closestmetro station to the grounds wasPirámides, located onLine 5.[5]