The biggest & the best football stadiums in the world is a fascinating topic for football fans, just like the tallest soccer players ever. There are millions of football fans who cannot get enough of the game as it is the most popular sport in the world.
One might have heard about the Santiago Bernabeu or the Camp Nou as they are very familiar names for soccer enthusiasts. However, there are other stadiums, such as the FNB Stadium and Stadium Australia, which one might not have heard of.
1- Rungrado First of May Stadium (Capacity 114,000- 150,000)
It is easily the largest football stadium in the world. According to the North Koreans, it has a capacity of 150,000. However, it is thought that the actual capacity of the stadium is 114,000. But even this number easily beats its closest rival.
Some reports have suggested that the attendance for some events, such as the wrestling match called the Collision in Korea, was over 190,000. All such reports might not be true. But there have been some international events to justify these claims.
There is no doubt that the enormous stadium is a great feat of engineering. It is all the more surprising that it has come out of arguably the world’s most isolated country – North Korea.
North Korea constructed this stadium after Pyongyang’s rivals South Korea were allowed to host the 1988 Summer Olympics. North Korea wanted to show that they could host such prestigious events as well.
The Rungrado First of May Stadium looks like a parachute and a magnolia flower. It now hosts the Arirang Games, which is the country’s mass gymnastics and artistic festival that happens every year in August or September. They renovated the stadium in 2014 and it was reopened for use in 2015.
2- AT&T Stadium (Capacity 105,000)
AT&T Stadium is located in Arlington, Texas, United States. It boasts a capacity of 105,000 which makes it the second biggest of all football stadiums. It is now the home of the Dallas Cowboys who currently play in the National Football League.
Although it is not primarily a football stadium, AT&T Stadium has hosted soccer matches. It is the largest domed stadium in the world. It has a retractable roof. And in its middle hangs a huge TV screen which is regarded as the largest in the world.
3- Melbourne Cricket Ground (Capacity 100,024)
By looking at its name, you might think that Melbourne Cricket ground is used for playing cricket matches only. However, they employ the stadium for other events as well, including football matches. The MCG is one of the finest cricket grounds in the world. It is also regarded as the 11th largest in the world.
If you are a fan of cricket, then it is very likely that you would have heard of the stadium’s name. This famous venue is located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Victoria. It is said to have a capacity of a prodigious 100,024.
Melbourne Cricket ground was first built in 1853. Since then, it has undergone numerous renovations. The venue has the distinction of hosting several prestigious tournaments. Some of them are the 1956 Summer Olympics, the 2006 Commonwealth Games as well as two Cricket World Cups.
The first international football match at this stadium was played in 1997. Australia and Iran played against each other in the World Cup qualifier.
There have also been matches between top European heavyweights at this venue, such as Manchester United and Juventus. Most recently, it hosted the match between Manchester City and Real Madrid in 2015.
The record attendance at the Melbourne Cricket ground was 143,750.
4- Camp Nou (Capacity 99,354)
Camp Nou is one of the most famous & the best football stadiums in the world. The home stadium of Barcelona has a seating capacity of 99,354. This makes it the largest football stadium in Spain and Europe. While it has also the distinction of being the fourth largest association football stadium globally.
It is said that it cost a whopping €1.73 billion to build. The record attendance noted at this venue was 120,000. Juventus played against the Catalans in the quarterfinal of the European Cup in 1986.
Visiting the stadium and attending the match in person is an unforgettable experience. The amazing atmosphere that is created by the huge number of football fans is something to behold. Besides football, Camp Nou also hosts several other events. For example, concerts and rugby matches etc.
Barcelona is one of the best football clubs in the world. It is also one of the richest football clubs and also boast some of the most passionate fans. The Catalans have the distinction of winning an incredible 75 domestic trophies. They have won 26 La Liga titles, 31 Copa del Rey, and thirteen Supercopa de Espana.
They have also lifted five Champions League trophies. Some of their most famous players include Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o.
During his time at Camp Nou, Messi won an incredible six Ballon d’Or awards. This might strike you as more surprising if you about the story of Messi autism.
The construction of Camp Nou started in 1954 while it was first opened in 1957.
5- FNB Stadium (Capacity 94, 736)
FNB Stadium is located in Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africa. It has the distinction of being one of the biggest & the best football stadiums in the world. Its capacity stands at 94,736.
The venue is also called “The Calabash” because of its resemblance to the traditional African pot or gourd. It is said to have cost a huge $440 million to build.
The stadium was first built in 1987 but underwent a renovation for the 2010 World Cup. Many feared that the stadium wouldn’t be completed in time for the prestigious football tournament. However, it did and served as the venue for the 2010 World Cup final.
Soccer City, as it is also called, was the venue where Nelson Mandela made his first speech in 1990 after being released from prison. It was also the site where the funeral of Chris Hani took place.
If you are a football fan and like to visit different soccer stadiums, then the FNB Stadium is a must-visit for you. It is the home of Kaizer Chiefs FC who play in the Premier Soccer League.
6- Rose Bowl (Capacity 92,542)
The Rose Bowl is one of the well-known and biggest & best football stadiums in the world. It is located in Los Angeles, California, and was first opened in 1922. It is the 11th largest stadium in the US and 16th largest globally.
The capacity of the stadium stands at 92,542. Although not a primarily football stadium, the Rose Bowl served as the venue for the 1994 FIFA World Cup final and the 1999 Women’s World Cup final. It is most famous for hosting college football, especially the Rose Bowl Game.
The famous stadium is currently home to UCLA Bruins who represent the University of California, Los Angeles in college football.
The stadium is constructed in a residential area and its traffic problems are very famous. However, these issues don’t stop passionate supporters from attending their favorite matches.
The Rose Bowl has the distinction of hosting five Super Bowl games, which is the third most of any venue. The stadium is owned by the city of Pasadena and it is managed by the non-profit organization Rose Bowl Operating Company. If you haven’t visited the Rose Bowl, then you have been missing a beautiful experience.
7- Wembley Stadium (Capacity 90,000)
Wembley Stadium is one of the biggest soccer stadiums in the world. The original stadium was demolished and the newly constructed stadium was opened in 2007.
It is the home of England national football team and has a seating capacity of 90,000. In the United Kingdom, it is the largest stadium while the venue is the second-largest stadium in Europe. It also plays host to the FA Cup final.
Wembley Stadium also serves as a venue for numerous concerts, play-off finals, rugby games and many other prestigious events. When Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur was constructing its new stadium at White Hart Lane, then Wembley served as the home for Spurs between 2017-2019.
The cost of constructing the stadium has cost a whopping 1.2 billion pounds and it took five years to complete. A very amusing fact about the venue is that it has more toilets than any other building on the globe.
Wembley has the distinction of hosting the 2011 and 2013 European Cup finals. While it was also the venue for the eight games at Euro 2020.
8- Estadio Azteca (Capacity 87,523)
The Estadio Azteca once had the distinction of being the largest football stadium in the world. However, now it is the largest stadium in Mexico while globally, it is the seventh biggest football stadium. The home of the Mexican national football team has an official capacity of 87,523.
The Estadio Azteca hosts one National Football League match per season as part of their international series. It has the distinction of hosting two FIFA World Cup finals. The first was played in 1970 when Brazil crushed Italy 4-1 while the other happened in 1986 when Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2.
The 1986 World Cup quarter-final match was also played at this venue when Argentina’s Diego Maradona scored the Hand of God goal and the Goal of the Century against England. The 1970 semi-final match between Italy and West Germany, better known as the Game of the Century, was also played at this stadium.
9- Bukit Jalil National Stadium (Capacity 87,411)
The Bukit Jalil National Stadium is one of the largest soccer stadiums in the world. It is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and serves as the home to the Malaysia national football team. It also has the distinction of being the largest soccer stadium in Southeast Asia.
The all-seater multi-purpose stadium has a capacity of 87,411. The stadium cost RM800 million (which equals to around $200m) to build.
The Bukit Jalil National Stadium was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of the country Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in July 1998. Since then, it has served as the venue for many prestigious sporting events in the world, including the 2001 Southeast Asian Games and the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. Now it plays host to most Malaysian international football matches.
10- Borg El Arab Stadium (Capacity 86,000)
The Borg El Arab Stadium has the distinction of being the largest stadium in Egypt.
The venue boasts a capacity of 86,000. It is the 27th biggest stadium in the world. The stadium is located in Borg El Arab, Egypt and it was opened in 2009.
An interesting fact about the Borg El Arab Stadium is that it was built by the Egyptian Armed Forces.
It was constructed along with five other planned stadiums in a bid for the 2010 World Cup. However, South Africa ultimately won the rights. And the Egyptian Army Stadium ended up being the only one to be constructed.
The venue now serves as the home of the national football team as well as the Al Ittihad, Smouha. The stadium is air-conditioned and also has a hotel for 200 guests. It saw the record attendance in 2017. That happened when the venue was packed to capacity during the match between Egypt and Congo in 2018.
11- Salt Lake Stadium (Capacity 85,000)
The Salt Lake Stadium is one of the most famous venues in the world. It is also one of the biggest soccer stadiums in the world. While it has the distinction of being the second-largest stadium in India.
It is officially known as the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The venue boasts a seating capacity of 85,000. It is located in Bidhannagar, Kolkata. The stadium serves as the home of ATK Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan.
The Salt Lake Stadium had a capacity of 120,000 before it was renovated in 2011. At that time, it was the biggest football stadium globally.
It is said that building the stadium cost around $200 million.
The venue saw a record attendance of more than 130,000. That happened when East Bengal played against Mohun Bagan in the Federation Cup semifinal. The Salt Stadium played host to the final match of the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The venue also has the distinction of hosting other prestigious athletic events. For example the SAF Games in 1987, dance and music concerts, and the opening ceremony of the 2013 IPL season.
12- Estadio Monumental U (Capacity 85,000)
Estadio Monumental U is the biggest stadium in Peru. It also has the distinction of being the largest football stadium in South America.
The venue boasts a staggering 85,000 capacity, which is the same as the Salt Lake Stadium. However, it is said that only around 80,000 are allowed in the stadium due to safety regulations.
Estadio Monumental U has hosted many Peru national football teams’ international matches. They include Copa America games and World Cup qualifiers.
It was opened in July 2000 and is rumored to have cost around $150,000 to build.
Estadio Monumental U currently serves as the home of Club Universitario de Deportes.
13- Stadium Australia (Capacity 84,000)
Stadium Australia, formerly called the ANZ Stadium, is the 13th largest soccer stadium on this list. It is located in Sydney, Australia, and was opened in March 1999.
The ANZ Stadium is not primarily a soccer stadium. But it has hosted football matches. It has been constructed for the use of all sports. The stadium has been the venue for cricket, rugby union, and Aussie rules teams.
The record attendance at this stadium was 114,714. That happened when the 2000 Olympics closing ceremony took place. Currently, it is home to three rugby league teams.
It was originally constructed to have a capacity of 110,000. Reconfiguration work was completed in 2003, with the seating capacity lessened to 83,500 (a rectangular field) and 82,500 (an oval field).
14- MetLife Stadium (Capacity 82,500)
The MetLife Stadium is 14th on the list of the largest soccer stadiums in the world. It is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. The stadium boasts a whopping seating capacity of 82,500. The venue was constructed to replace the Giants Stadium which was open from 1976 to 2010.
Like many other stadiums on this list, the MetLife Stadium wasn’t primarily built for soccer, rather it was created for American Football or NFL. However, it has served as the venue for a number of international soccer matches over the years. For example, the International Champions Cup match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in 2018 was played at this stadium.
It is said that the MetLife Stadium cost an enormous $1.88 billion to build.
15- Croke Park (Capacity 82,300)
Croke Park is located in Dublin, Ireland. It has the distinction of being one of the best football stadiums in the world. However, it is a Gaelic games stadium.
Croke Park boasts a seating capacity of 82,300. However, the record attendance at this stadium was 90,556. That happened when Down and Offaly played the 1961 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final.
One of the most interesting things about Croke Park is that it was opened in the year 1884. This means that it was opened an incredible 137 years ago.
The stadium has also hosted football games. And it now serves as the principal national stadium of Ireland headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
16- FedExField (Capacity 82,000)
FedExField, originally known as the Jack Kent Crooke Stadium, is the 16th largest soccer stadium on this list. It is located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, United States.
The venue currently serves as the home of the Washington Football Team of the National Football League (NFL). From 2004 to 2010, FedExField had a capacity of over 91,000. However, after renovations, its current seating capacity stands at 82,000.
FedExField has been the venue for several football matches, such as the international games for the USA. While the stadium has also hosted a match between Real Madrid and Juventus. It is currently being regarded for a World Cup 2026 venue.
17- Signal Iduna Park (Capacity 81,365)
Signal Iduna Park, also known as the Westfalenstadion, is a very famous football stadium. It is located in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The stadium has a seating capacity of 81,365.
Westfalenstadion has the distinction of being the largest stadium in Germany. It is currently the home of Borussia Dortmund who play in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund is one of the most successful German clubs. The Black and Yellows have lifted eight league championships and five DFB-Pokals. It is also regarded as the 12th richest football team in the world.
The stadium witnessed the record attendance of 83,000 at the Signal Iduna Park in 2004. These were when Dortmund played its home matches against Schalke, Stuttgart, Bayern, Rostock, etc. It also holds the European record for average fan attendance.
18- Stade de France (Capacity 81,338)
The Stade de France is also one of the biggest soccer stadiums in the world. The venue is located in Saint-Denis, France. It also has the distinction of being the biggest soccer stadium in France and the 18th largest globally. It was constructed originally for the FIFA World Cup 1998.
The Stade de France is now set to be the venue for the athletics events at the 2024 Summer Olympics. The stadium also has the distinction of hosting two European Cup finals. If you are a football fan, then you must once visit Stade de France.
19- Santiago Bernabeu (Capacity 81,044)
Almost every football fan is aware of the Santiago Bernabeu the one of the biggest football stadium. It is the home of the richest football club Real Madrid. It is the nineteenth largest soccer stadium in the world on this list.
Real is one of the most widely supported soccer teams in the world. The club’s worth is estimated to be around $4.2 billion. Los Blancos have the distinction of winning five consecutive European Cups during the 1950s. Domestically, the club has won 66 trophies. They have claimed an incredible 34 league titles and 19 Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid has also lifted 13 European Cups, making it the only club in the world to achieve such a feat.
The Santiago Bernabeu’s seating capacity is 81,044. However, the famous venue saw a record attendance of 129,690. The stadium was opened in 1947 and it reportedly cost €1,732,943.
The Santiago Bernabeu has the distinction of hosting the final matches for 1964 EURO and 1982 World Cup. It has served as the home to some of the greatest footballers in the world, including Cristiano Ronaldo.
20- Luzhniki Stadium (Capacity 81,000)
Luzhniki Stadium is the national stadium of Russia. It is one of the biggest football stadium in the world and located in the Moscow city. This stadium was built during the Soviet Era. It currently boasts a seating capacity of 81000. The venue has the distinction of being the largest soccer stadium in Russia.
Luzhniki Stadium hosted many of the important competitions of the 1980 Olympic Games. In 2018 World Cup, the final of the prestigious tournament was also played at this venue.
The stadium also has the distinction of hosting such events as World Athletics Championships, Summer Universiade and Goodwill Games. It has also served as the home of CSKA Moscow.
21- Shah Alam Stadium (Capacity 80,372)
Shah Alam Stadium is one of the biggest soccer stadiums in the world. It is located in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. The first football match was played at this venue between Selangor and Dundee in 1994.
It is currently the home of Selangor Football Club who competes in the Malaysia Super League. It boasts a seating capacity of 80,372.
