REECEY'S AWAY FAN TRAVEL GUIDES: Atlético Madrid — How to Visit Riyadh Air Metropolitano

REECEY'S AWAY FAN TRAVEL GUIDES: Atlético Madrid — How to Visit Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Club Atlético de Madrid, known as Atlético Madrid, Atleti or Los Rojiblancos (The Red and Whites), is one of those proper intense and resilient clubs that every football fan should experience at least once. With a never-say-die mentality forged under the Simeone era, a proper working-class heart, and a fanbase that treats every tackle and goal like its life or death, their home at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano is a modern, intimidating cauldron that delivers raw passion and noise in bucketloads.

If you are heading to Madrid for an away day, you are in for a proper European football experience. This guide has got you covered with the practical stuff plus the fun bits that actually matter: where to crash, how to get to the ground without drama, what the atmosphere is really like, safety tips that keep things sensible, and plenty of real fan stories to get you buzzing before you even pack your bag.

Quick Facts: Atlético Madrid Away Day

Stadium: Riyadh Air Metropolitano (formerly Wanda/Cívitas Metropolitano)

Location: Northeast Madrid (San Blas-Canillejas area), Spain

Capacity: approximately 70,460–70,692

Opened: 2017 (rebuilt from the old La Peineta athletics stadium)

Away Section: Fondo Norte (North End), usually higher tiers/upper sections such as sectors 313–316 or 413–416, with buffer zones for separation

Ultras Groups: Frente Atlético (main ultra group in Fondo Sur/South Stand), with other passionate supporter groups

Nearest Metro: Estadio Metropolitano on Line 7 (orange line) – literally right next to the stadium

City Vibe: Vibrant world-class capital with incredible food, nightlife and culture; generally safe for tourists but matchdays bring high emotion around the ground

What It’s Like Visiting Atlético Madrid as an Away Fan

Heading to the Metropolitano is one of the more serious away trips you can tick off in Europe. Madrid itself is a dream – tapas everywhere, sunny terraces, world-class museums and buzzing squares – but the stadium sits in a more modern/residential northeast corner near the airport, so the pre-match feel is less old-school barrio than the legendary Vicente Calderón and more about the march to the bowl.

Once you get close, the intensity ramps up big time. Atleti fans are famous for their non-stop support, relentless chanting and that “a muerte” (to the death) attitude. The sleek covered bowl traps the sound brilliantly, creating a wall of red-and-white noise that rarely lets up. It is passionate, loud and can feel pretty intimidating without always tipping into full chaos for visiting fans. Think committed and hostile-but-football-focused – tougher than many Premier League grounds but not quite the mad cauldron of some Turkish or Balkan nights.

Real Fan Experiences at Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Away fans often come back impressed (and a bit battered if their team is under the cosh). Visitors describe the atmosphere as electric, especially when the South Stand ultras get going with constant singing, flags and the odd bit of pyro that lights up the night. One lad from a big European tie said the noise from the home end made it feel like the whole stadium was against you, yet the segregation kept things manageable.

The walk from the metro is short and often filled with home fans in full voice. Many note the modern facilities, decent views even from higher away spots, and how the roof helps the sound bounce around like mad. Most leave saying it is a proper top-tier European experience that lives up to the “tough place to go” reputation, with the passion coming from deep loyalty rather than outright aggression toward visitors. Phones struggle to capture the volume – it just hits different in person.

Is Atlético Madrid Safe for Away Fans?

Pretty much a yes, as long as you do not go looking for trouble. Madrid is a safe major European city for tourists and most Atlético supporters are passionate but generally sound in the city centre. You will spot mixed colours around the tourist spots all the time and nobody bats an eyelid.

Just use your common sense. Ditch the away colours if you are wandering near the main ultra spots, especially around the South Stand. Stick to any police routes on matchdays and you will be grand. Inside the ground the segregation is strict with buffer zones, stewarding is decent and most people report a hassle-free day. It is intense football, not a war zone – enjoy it responsibly.

Where the Away Fans Sit at Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Away fans usually end up in the Fondo Norte (North End), often up in the higher tiers for better separation on European nights. Views are decent and clear thanks to the modern design, though you might feel a bit high up. The sound still carries brilliantly so you will not miss any of the chaos.

The concourse is modern and functional. Note that alcohol is often not served inside the stadium or very limited. Expect good segregation, your own turnstiles and a few police keeping an eye. Getting out afterwards is straightforward, even if it takes a while.

How to Get to Riyadh Air Metropolitano

This place is a doddle to reach – one of the easier big stadiums in Europe.

Hop on the metro and take Line 7 (orange) straight to Estadio Metropolitano. The stadium is literally a couple of minutes walk from the station. Matchdays mean packed trains full of red and white scarves and songs, which only adds to the fun.

Taxis, Uber or Bolt are cheap and everywhere. They will drop you close by, though road closures might mean a short leg-stretch at the end. Some away fans gather at spots like Plaza de Cefiro near Canillejas metro for a possible escorted walk. If you are staying central the journey takes roughly 20-30 minutes by metro.

Where to Stay for an Atlético Madrid Away Day

Madrid offers endless options so you have got good choices depending on what you fancy.

Central areas like Sol, Plaza Mayor, Malasaña or Chueca are brilliant if you want to be in the thick of it – buzzing with bars, restaurants, nightlife and easy metro access to the ground. Perfect for groups who plan to make a proper weekend of it.

For something a bit smarter, Salamanca or near Avenida de América feels posher with good links and a calmer vibe at night.

For minimal travel time, look at hotels near the airport/IFEMA or in the Barajas/Alcalá area – more functional but quick hops to the ground. The neighbourhood around the stadium itself is modern but not the most atmospheric for evenings.

Best Pre-Match Pubs and Food for Away Fans

Madrid does not do the classic away pub crawl like back home, but the food and drink scene more than makes up for it.

In the city centre, Plaza Mayor is a popular gathering spot for many away fans – packed with terraces, bars and classic Spanish eats. Some clubs recommend meeting points there before heading out.

Near the stadium in the San Blas-Canillejas area you will find casual cafés and restaurants. It is mostly home fans but they are usually friendly enough if you keep it low key.

Do not miss the Madrid classics – patatas bravas, jamón ibérico, calamares, tortilla, or a proper menú del día washed down with cañas or vermut. The city’s tapas culture means you can graze all day. For bigger groups, central food markets or chains work well before jumping on the metro.

Atlético Madrid Ultras and Atmosphere

Atlético’s ultras know how to put on a show. Groups like Frente Atlético take over the South Stand, turning it into a sea of red and white. On big nights you get non-stop chanting, flags, tifos and occasional smoke. It is a proper wall of noise that keeps going right to the end.

The noise builds early and rarely dips. Thousands singing together with the roof trapping every decibel creates that proper chest-thumping atmosphere. Fans often say their phones cannot even capture the volume – it just hits different. It is all about deep-rooted “a muerte” love for the club rather than nastiness, and it leaves most visitors smiling even if their team got battered.

Tickets for Away Fans

European games usually come through your own club’s allocation and Atlético keeps things nicely segregated. For domestic matches the stadium does not always sell out except for the massive derbies. Away tickets still go via your club though, and the local police are pretty strict about keeping everyone in their own section.

Matchday Tips for Visiting Atlético Madrid

Get there with time to spare because the metro and area can get lively. Bring some photo ID in case they ask at the turnstiles. Expect a bit of pyro from the home end – it adds to the spectacle. Stadium Wi-Fi is hit and miss so sort your tickets and maps beforehand. Alcohol is often restricted inside. The journey home on public transport is busy but safe and full of chatter.

Our Top 10 Take: What to Actually Expect at Riyadh Air Metropolitano

1. You will hear the roar building from blocks away as red and white fills the streets near the metro exit.

2. Inside you step into this sleek modern bowl that turns into a moving wall of noise the second the ultras get going.

3. Flags waving, thousands chanting in unison and the odd bit of smoke drifting across – it is the kind of atmosphere that makes your ribs vibrate in the best way.

4. Your phone will give up trying to record it – the volume at the Metropolitano is on another planet.

5. You will demolish some brilliant Madrid tapas and cold beers beforehand and start wondering why you do not live here.

6. The intensity comes from pure generational obsession with Atleti, not from wanting to fight anyone.

7. You will head home buzzing, a bit knackered, and totally convinced you have just seen one of Europe’s toughest away days.

8. You will get why they call it “a muerte” – that support just does not stop.

9. Even if your lot lose, you will tip your hat to the passion on show.

10. And on the flight back the chat will be the same: that was brilliant… when are we coming back?

Should You Visit Atlético Madrid as an Away Fan?

One hundred percent. Atlético Madrid gives you that sweet spot of a loud, intense and properly passionate atmosphere wrapped up in one of Europe’s greatest cities. Throw in easy metro access, world-class food at decent prices and a stadium with real character, and you have got yourself one of the most complete (and tough) away days around. Whether it is a standard league game or a big European night, the Metropolitano delivers the goods. Grab your scarf, soak up the red and white sea around you and have a proper laugh. You will not regret it.