According to a report from *The Mirror* on May 12, Portuguese club Boavista is facing a severe financial crisis that could lead to the demolition of its home ground, the Estádio do Bessa. The stadium, which once hosted matches during the European Championship and the Champions League, now stands at a critical crossroads.
Located in Porto, the stadium was a venue during the 2004 European Championship, where it hosted several group stage matches. Although it was only used for a limited period during the tournament, it became an important part of Portugal’s modern football infrastructure.
However, just over two decades later, the once-proud international venue is in jeopardy due to the club’s financial collapse. Twenty-two years after serving as a Euro 2004 host, the Estádio do Bessa’s future is uncertain. With Boavista declared bankrupt, the fate and purpose of the stadium remain up in the air.
During the 2004 European Championship, the stadium hosted three group stage matches: Greece vs. Spain, Latvia vs. Germany, and Denmark vs. Sweden—all of which ended in draws. The Portuguese national team also played several international matches there. The stadium was originally built in 1910 and was reconstructed on the same site ahead of Euro 2004. One of its most memorable matches took place in 2017, when Portugal defeated the Faroe Islands 5-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick.
Due to Boavista’s financial troubles, the stadium was put up for sale in April. The club, which won the Primeira Liga title in the 2000/01 season, has since declined financially, been relegated, and only returned to the top flight in 2014. Recently, it has faced further relegation and operational crises, and is now banned from playing in lower-league competitions, preventing the team from using the stadium.
Reports indicate that the club’s total debt amounts to approximately £130 million, forcing it to sell assets, including the stadium, which was listed for sale in April with an asking price of around £27 million. Meanwhile, fan groups are trying to prevent the sale, fearing that once sold, the stadium could be demolished or repurposed by a new owner, depending on the buyer’s plans.
The stadium’s most recent league match was in May 2025, when Porto defeated Boavista away in the final round of the 2024/25 season. With a capacity of nearly 30,000 spectators, it was an important venue for the European Championship.
According to *Marca*, Boavista’s president, Rui Garrido Pereira, is still working to save the club, while the Porto city council has hinted it may block the stadium’s demolition. Local politician Manuel Pizarro stated, “This club is one of the city’s landmarks, and eventually, the city council will exercise its right of first refusal to ensure the continuity of sporting activities.”
During its heyday, the stadium hosted Champions League matches. In the 2001/02 season, Liverpool and Manchester United both played at the Bessa; the following year, Celtic secured a victory there thanks to a last-minute goal by Henrik Larsson, advancing to the UEFA Cup final.
Several Premier League and international players have also featured for Boavista, including English midfielder Angel Gomes, who joined on loan in the 2020/21 season, and former Manchester City player Javi García.
Notably, the stadium’s first Euro match saw the eventual champions in action: Greece held Spain to a 1-1 draw before winning three consecutive 1-0 matches in the knockout stages, ultimately claiming the Euro 2004 title.