Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
Home to Real Betis since its completion in 1929, the Estadio Benito Villamarin is the fourth largest stadium in Spain. Initially designed by Anibal Gonzalez Alvarez-Ossario, the stadium first saw action on March 17, 1929, when the Spanish national side beat the Portuguese 5-0 in an exhibition match that ushered in a new era for Real Betis, and changed the footballing landscape around Seville. Having been through three previous renamings (Estadio de la Exposición, Estadio Municipal Heliopolis, and Estadio Manuel Ruiz de Lopera), Real Betis fans voted to change the name back to the namesake of the club president who served between 1955 and 1965, and Estadio Benito Villamarin it has remained ever since.
Renovation work in 2016 expanded the stadium's capacity from 52,000 to 60,720, and was completed a year later. This resulted in a stadium where all four stands are now three-tiered (where the renovated south stand was only single-tiered before). On match days the stadium carries advertising from the current sponsors (at the time of writing an online broker called easyMarkets), as well as green and white hoardings and banners on every available surface in the grounds.
Situated in the south of Seville, and only three kilometres from the city centre, the Estadio Benito Villamarin lies on the Avenida La Palmera, which runs directly from the stadium to the historic city centre. Come match day, the stadium is filled with fanatical Betis fans, who are known not only for their passion, but their sense of fun and humour too. A famous phrase that is associated with Real Betis, reads "Viva er Betis manquerpierda!" or, "long live Betis, even if they lose!". Anyone who visits Estadio Benito Villamarin on match day can testify to the atmosphere this stadium and its fans can create, especially when playing local rivals Sevilla.
Those looking to visit the stadium can take the official Betis Tour, which shows fans around the iconic pitch, the players' tunnel, both team changing rooms, the press room, and lots more. Visitors will witness a modern stadium that can proudly proclaim to be one of the most iconic in Spain, adorned in green and white, and a far cry from anything the founders, known as the 'Balompie' at the time, could ever have imagined.
Having been through its fair share of revamps, a civil war that saw it transformed into a military camp (with plenty of damage ascertained as a result), along with the ups and downs of the football team itself, the Estadio Benito Villamarin could certainly tell a story or two about the goings-on within its iconic stands.
Fans who wish to visit the Estadio Benito Villamarin on matchday have plenty of options to choose from, depending on their budget and personal requirements. From the usual seats situated around the ground, to premium zones, and VIP boxes for those looking to splash out, this stadium caters for all. So whether you are simply looking to enjoy the match from the raucous stands, or would rather be wined and dined in style, the Estadio Benito Villamarin can deliver.
For members of the press, the stadium caters to their specialist needs. Commentary boxes are situated around the ground, while journalists and reporters are situated in a box right next to the pressroom, which allows them to work away on their write-ups, and get quickly to where they need to be during pre and post-match interviews.
In conclusion, the Estadio Benito Villamarin can be looked at as a grade-A European football stadium, delivering a first-rate experience for both the players and fans alike. While Barcelona's Camp Nou or Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu may be slightly more world-renowned, Real Betis play is a superb modern stadium that is well worth a visit for football fans who find themselves in Seville, and want to see some top-tier Spanish football.
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