Arena Liga Portugal, much more than a headquarters

Designed by the architecture studio OODA, this innovative structure is presented as a multifunctional space that blends design, sustainability and technology, at the service of sport and the community.

The Arena Liga Portugal, as the complex is called, not only houses the League’s offices but has been conceived as a meeting and collaborative space. Inside, visitors can find a museum, a shop, an auditorium and various meeting areas that foster interaction among users. Additionally, the building includes a startup incubator focused on football-related innovation, reinforcing its role as a hub of creativity and entrepreneurship.

OODA’s project stands out for its bold and symbolic design. A cube clad in white hexagons rises above a green base, creating an image that evokes football goals. This combination of shapes and colours not only gives the building a unique identity but also enhances its integration into the urban landscape of Ribeira da Granja.

The interior spaces are arranged so that public areas, such as the auditorium and museum, are located on the lower floors, while office and training areas are housed in the upper tower, marked by a glass envelope that provides transparency and brightness.

Multifunctional tables and chairs for a multifunctional space

To furnish this multifunctional space, Sellex furniture was selected for its elegance and functionality. A total of 270 MASS Basic Chairs with Welded Linking Piece and 42 MASS Basic Chairs without linking piece, all in black, were installed. In addition, 26 SLAM Basic Chairs were included in the same finish, but with upholstered fronts, and more than 30 FAST Tables in various sizes were arranged to suit the space's needs.

In this case, it is worth highlighting the suitability of the furniture selection, as both the MASS Chair and the SLAM Chair are stackable, making them ideal seating for multipurpose spaces. In fact, their stackable function was one of the main reasons the ODDA team chose SLAM for the Business School classrooms, and MASS for the complex’s Auditorium. But it wasn’t the only reason.

As Julião Pinto Leite from the OODA architecture studio explains, they chose the MASS Chair for its “durability and modern design”, while he highlights SLAM and FAST for their “comfort and functionality.” “The SLAM Chair's design makes it easy to handle and stack, while its interlocking feature adds to its practicality. Together with the FAST Table, they create a versatile and convenient environment,” Julião adds.

The choice of the MASS Chair with Welded Linking Piece allows for flexible configuration of meeting and event areas, without compromising its stackability, ensuring maximum versatility. This solution, which links several chairs in a quick, comfortable and efficient way (without the need to bend down), ensures that the rooms at Arena Liga Portugal can quickly adapt to different configurations depending on the needs of the moment.

A building serving sport and the community

The new headquarters of the Portuguese Professional Football League is a clear example of how architecture can go beyond functionality to become a space for gathering, learning and innovation. Open to the community, visible by day and night, the building stands as an urban beacon that connects the world of sport with the city and its inhabitants.

It is a project with a strong public character, which will emphasise an area of the city that is sometimes forgotten, through the construction of an institutional building, which is simultaneously a sport, cultural and leisure facility says João Jesus, partner at OODA.

We couldn’t agree more with this statement, and for Sellex, it is a pleasure to have been part of such a comprehensive project.