Last Update:
September 26, 2025
A visit to the Metropolitano is always going to be memorable for away fans. It is never easy to win on this ground, but the passion of Atleti fans makes the venue one of the top when considering the best atmosphere in European stadiums.
Away fans at the Metropolitano occupy the Fondo Norte section of the ground, loosely translated as North End. For the safety of fans, empty spaces separate the away end from the home section.
Ticket allocation at the Atleti stadium for away fans often varies, but the minimum across La Liga clubs is usually 300 tickets.
For highly competitive matches, away tickets at the Metropolitano can be more than 3,000. For example, a total of 3,431 Celtic fans visited the ground on 7 November 2023 during a Champions League clash.
Visiting fans often pay €30 for a single match ticket, but that can vary, depending on the season and the match or competition.
The number of hotels near the Metropolitano is also quite good. However, a visiting supporter will be able to substantially improve their options when looking at Madrid as a whole.
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano has undergone significant renovations in recent years. The stadium was reopened in 2017 after years of redevelopment, noting that the venue was originally an athletics venue.
With fan safety and comfort being at the centre of the changes, other notable modifications included a 360-degree ribbon board and LED screens. As a result, the home ground of Atletico Madrid became the first European stadium that go 100% digital.
In 2024, it also underwent some renovations, which included eco-friendly painting and installation of solar-powered lighting systems, which was seen as a huge step towards becoming one of the greenest stadiums in Europe.
Renaming of the ground in October 2024 to Riyadh Air Metropolitano, following a sponsorship deal with Riyadh Air, marked another significant milestone.
If you are curious about famous people who have been spotted at the Atletico Madrid stadium on matchdays, here is a rundown:
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise not only toured the Atleti stadium during its construction, but has also visited the stadium on several occasions. During the construction of the venue, the Hollywood star received a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the Wanda Metropolitano by then-club midfielder Enrique Cerezo. He was even gifted a jersey bearing his name.
King Felipe VI of Spain
King Felipe VI of Spain is a regular high-ranking figure who has been spotted at the Atletico Madrid stadium on several occasions, especially during Champions League matches and Madrid derbies.
Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, is another political figure whose support for Atleti is well-documented and has been a regular visitor to Wanda Metropolitano during big games.
Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz
Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz are celebrity actors who are well-known Atleti supporters. They have frequented the Atletico Madrid stadium on matchdays. In the same breath, Alejandro Sanz, a Spanish singer, and Sara Carbonero, a sports journalist and ex of Iker Casillas, are other famous people who have been seen at the Atletico Madrid stadium.
Atletico Madrid supporters are known for their creative and passionate chants. These chants are often sung during home matches. Below are some popular Atletico Madrid chants you should expect to hear if you end up at the Metropolitano on matchdays:
- Atleti, Atleti, Atletico de Madrid
- Vamos Atleti Vamos
- Forza Atleti Ale
- The Gypsy Threw the Cards (Gitana Tiro las Cartas)
- Ole, Ole, Ole, Cholo Simeone
- Hacen que sea como una religion
Below, we have included a video of Atletico Madrid fans singing along to one of their favourite chants.
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano is the home of Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid. Before, the club used to play at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
To provide supporters with modern and expensive facilities, construction of the current stadium began in 2011 and was completed in 2017. It is an ultramodern venue, so expect a high level of convenience, technology, and features.
The pitch is shaped like a bowl and has four main stands, namely Fondo Norte, Fondo Sur, Lateral Este, and Lateral Oeste. Each of these sections features executive seats and boxes.
The Fondo Sur is the location for concession stands and concerts.
A dedicated zone is set aside for families in the Fondo Norte, and it has most of the stadium’s non-smoking areas, currently standing at 19,000 seats.
The stadium’s north-east corner is the closest fans can sit near the pitch, as it is only 5.89 m away.
The western section of the stadium honours some Atleti legends who made at least 100 appearances for the club. Red-and-white flags can be seen here, and it is always an ideal spot for photography lovers.
Unlike many Spanish stadiums, almost 96% of the seating capacity at the Metropolitano is covered.
Riyadh Air Metropolitano is located in the Rosas district, which is quite a long distance of about 11 kilometres northeast of the city. With that, you should expect a limited selection of pubs compared to central Madrid. This also means the atmosphere in these nearby spots may not match the vibrant energy of Atleti fans.
With that, here are some notable nearby pubs, including some in central Madrid.
- Bar El Tapi
- Bar La Previa 1903
- Rodilla
- s10bar
- James Joyce Irish Pub Madrid
- Finnegans
By train or metro
Estadio Metropolitano is one of the biggest in Madrid. Train Line 7 runs from the city centre and is often the ideal choice for those visiting the Riyadh Air Metropolis stadium.
An alternative option is Station Las Musas, also on Line 7. However, it is a few minutes walk away from the stadium. The Torre Arias on Line 5 is an option for those who do not want to change lines. However, you will walk for about 25 minutes to reach the stadium after alighting from it.
By air
If air travel is the preferred option, Madrid enjoys excellent connectivity with all of Europe. The stadium is particularly close to the Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport.
However, if you want to get to the centre of Madrid before going to the stadium, the best bet would be to use the Madrid-Cuatro Vientos Airport. Once at the airport, you can expect to pay around €30-€40 for a taxi to the stadium. Alternatively, you will be able to take several trains, the Metro, and buses that go to the stadium.
By car
The Metropolitano is in the northeast of Madrid, and hence, a well-connected location to the available modes of transport. If you are driving from the city centre, note that you will cover approximately 10 km away from the city centre. The ground is located very close to the E5 and M201.
Atletico Madrid organises stadium tours at the Metropolitano for spectators to get a glimpse of the mammoth stadium and its various facets. The tour will cover several aspects of the stadium, including the players’ changing rooms, the tunnels used by players before entering the pitch, press conference rooms, the VIP lounge, and more.
One can also combine the stadium tour with a visit to the club museum, which is quite large, spanning over 1,400 sq m.
The general pricing for an Atleti stadium visit is €19. However, you get a 50% discount if you are a registered supporter.
Juniors pay €8 for the Atletico Madrid stadium tour.
Over the years, Atletico Madrid have called multiple different stadiums home, the vast majority of which have been extremely iconic.
Take the 62,000-seater Vicente Calderon, for example, which was the club’s home stadium between 1966 and 2017. During that time, the ground became synonymous with the team but became dated, both structurally and technologically, in the mid-2010s.
That led Atleti to seek a new home, and they built the Metropolitano as their solution to that problem. Opening in 2017, the venue has an improved capacity of 70,000 and is one of the best stadiums in the world.
It will likely be quite some time before the club moves again.
Record attendance
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid in 2017 – 66,591
Average attendance
- 2024-2025: 60, 883 (La Liga)
- 2023-2024: 69,082 (La Liga)
- 2019-2020: 42,231 (La Liga)
- 2018-2019: 56,216 (La Liga)
- 2017-2018: 55,501 (La Liga)
- 2023-2014: 46,000 (La Liga)
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid rivalry
The Madrid Derby is one of the most iconic and famous rivalries in European football. A clash between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid is often one of the most-watched whenever it happens.
It is, of course, a rivalry born out of proximity, with both clubs regularly competing for the right to call themselves the best team in Madrid.
Like all great derbies, this rivalry also has a catalogue of iconic matches, including two Champions League finals. In 2014, Atleti looked destined to lift their maiden Champions League trophy following Diego Godin’s first-half opener. However, they were cruelly denied by Sergio Ramos’s 93rd-minute equaliser, before they capitulated in extra-time to lose 4-1 in Lisbon.
They had their chance at revenge just two years later in Milan. Yannick Carrasco cancelled out Ramos’s effort to send the contest to extra time and penalties. However, Diego Simeone’s side experienced more heartbreak after Juanfran missed the only spot-kick in the shootout.
The Metropolitano is one of the latest stadiums in European football, and this freshness can be seen in the facilities available for disabled spectators.
The pitch has elevators and ramps for disabled supporters in wheelchairs, making it possible to reach their various seating locations.
With the increased capacity of 70,460, the club has added more accessibility facilities for disabled fans. These can be found in the middle tier and offer accessibility at street level.
While ticket prices at Riyadh Air Metropolitano can be volatile, often depending on the season, nature of the competition, seating location and age, registered supporters do get affordable offers.
The club has announced season tickets for the 2025/26 season, divided into categories such as league season tickets and full season tickets.
The cheapest season ticket for the 2025/26 season is priced at €290 in the Upper Tier Level II, with the highest going for €2,250 in the West Lower Tier.
Here is a sneak peek at the Atleti 2025/26 season ticket pricing.
Visit the official Atletico Madrid website for more information on tickets for the 2025/26 season.
Fanzines
Into the Calderon
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