Abandoned Euro giants' stadium now park with only plaque left to remember it by

Abandoned Euro giants’ stadium now park with only plaque left to remember it by

A FAMOUS stadium has been transformed into a public park following its closure in 2017.

The esteemed ground witnessed some glorious nights throughout the years that saw the previous owners climbing up the ranks from a mid-table club to Champions League regulars.

The famous Vicente Calderon Stadium has been turned into a public parkCredit: Alberto Ortega/Europa Press via Getty Images

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: A new viewpoint offers views of the Manzanares River, in the green space built over the M-30 overpass in the Mahou-Calderon area, on December 9, 2024, in Madrid, Spain. This space is open to the public today and represents the culmination of Madrid Rio. It also pays tribute to the former Vicente Calderon in the park of Atletico de Madrid.</p>
<p>The new space is open to the public today and is the culmination of Madrid Rio. (Photo By Alberto Ortega/Europa Press via Getty Images) — Vicente Calderón was demolished in 2017, which is 50 years after it openedCredit: Alberto Ortega/Europa Press via Getty Images

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 23: A slab with the silhouette of the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid Rio park on December 23, 2024, in Madrid, Spain. The final project of the Madrid Rio park has included a tribute to the former stadium of Atletico de Madrid, the Vicente Calderon. The recognition includes a time capsule buried in the former center field, containing relics such as a piece of turf, a club flag and jersey, photographs of the first and last goals at the stadium, and other memorabilia. In addition, an engraved slab marks the silhouette of the stadium. (Photo By Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images) — The Atletico de Madrid Park has a commemorative plaqueCredit: Ricardo Rubio/Europa Press via Getty Images

The Vicente Calderon Stadium hosted Atletico Madrid’s home matches for 50 years after opening in 1966.

Atletico enjoyed a lot of success at their former home until their departure eight years ago.

Atleti won six LaLiga titles and seven Copa del Rey trophies during their time at the ground.

But the Madrid giants moved eight years ago to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Vicente Calderón used to be very popular due to its unique design as a motorway ran underneath it.

But it ended up getting demolished shortly after its closure with the procedure taking about a year and a half until its completion.

Since Atletico moved to Wanda Metropolitano, the stadium was removed and replaced by a public park named after the club.

The Atletico de Madrid Park is now consisted of trees and a 700m treadmill for amateur runners.

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But Atletico fans are reminded of the stadium’s history with a carved-in-stone ball at the exact same place where the centre of the pitch used to be and a time capsule buried underground.

There’s also a commemorative plaque with the picture of the legendary stadium and “1966-2017” inscribed on it.

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At its peak Vicente Calderon had a capacity of 66,000 – over 5,000 more than Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium – but it was later reduced to 54,907 in order to allow for it all to be seating.