There are several impressive football stadiums around the globe with the creme-da-la-creme offering stunning atmospheres, cutting-edge technology and housing truly memorable moments.
Whether it be their monumental capacities or mesmerising designs, the greatest venues often provide homes for the finest club sides on the planet and are beloved by supporters worldwide.
But which are the 9 best football stadiums in the world?
9. San Siro
Arguably Serie A’s best stadium, the San Siro is home ground to both AC Milan and Inter. Built in 1926, the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (to give it its full name) holds over 75,000 fans at capacity and was renovated as recently as 2015.
The San Siro is expertly designed to ensure that no matter where a supporter's seat is situated, every match-going fan can clearly see the pitch with the venue's atmosphere best described as a ‘rawkus cauldron.’
8. Anfield
Anfield has been synonymous with Liverpool FC since its early development in 1884. Currently, the stadium boasts a capacity of just over 61,000 and although relatively modest in size, it remains amongst the most daunting environments for visiting teams.
The ground has often overwhelmed the mightiest opposition and utilises its pre-match serenade of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” to great effect. Owners of Fenway Sports Group have enthusiastically funded Anfield's growth, particularly the newly constructed Anfield Road Stand.
7. Maracana
Based in Rio De Janeiro, the legendary Maracana Stadium plays host to Brazilian club sides Fluminese and Flamengo along with the Brazil national team. Built in 1950 to coincide with that year's World Cup, it houses a maximum of 73,139 spectators.
Also known as the Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, its atmosphere is vibrant and celebratory. In 1950, the Maracana saw an immense crowd of 199,854 squeezed into a clash between Brazil and Uruguay at the World Cup group stage.
6. Signal Iduna Park
Also known as Westfalenstadion, Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park has grown into somewhat of a fortress since its creation in 1974. Its capacity of 81,360 is filled by the ‘Yellow Wall,’ as their fans have dubbed with the ground an iconic part of the club’s
history.
Their stadium has contributed to the German side’s aura being feared domestically and on the European stage. Despite the venue's compactness, Signal Iduna Park is known for its awe-inspiring and intense atmosphere.
5. Estadio Azteca
Located in Coyoacan of Mexico City, the Estadio Azteca is a long-standing home ground of the Mexican national team and domestic side Club America. Originally constructed in 1910, the arena currently has a capacity of 87,523 although its record attendance of 119,853 occurred during a match between Mexico and Brazil in 1968.
The Estadio Azteca saw Diego Maradona famously net a brace against England during the 1986 World Cup including his ‘hand of god’ goal and famous mazy solo run.
4. Allianz Arena
Built in 2005, the Allianz Arena is among European football's newest structures. Home to German giants Bayern Munich, the stadium seats 75,024 supporters and has a beautiful curved aesthetic. Its exterior also lights up spectacularly in a multitude of select colours.
The Allianz Arena has been chosen as one of the stadiums to host six 2024 European Championship fixtures. The venue will see Germany take on Scotland in the tournament's opening game along with a round of 16 and semi-final tie.
3. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
With a capacity of 62,850, Tottenham Hotspur’s self-named stadium lies in the heart of London and was actually constructed on the plot of their old ground White Hart Lane. Opened in 2019, the £1 billion arena features state-of-the-art facilities and amenities.
The newest stadium on this list, its design is simply world-class, equipped with a retractable pitch and bars that are able to produce 10,000 pints of beer a minute!
2. Wembley Stadium
Dubbed the “Home of Football,” Wembley Stadium has been host to the England national team for over a century since 1923. Yet in 2007, its structure was completely renovated at the cost of a staggering £790 million! Wembley’s capacity now stands at 90,000 and its new Arch has become instantly iconic.
The stadium’s modern design is flexible and multi-purpose, which is regularly used for concerts and other events. When full to the brim with football fans, Wembley is truly one of the most spectacular sporting experiences on the planet.
1. Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid’s wondrous renovation of the Bernabeu has captured the imagination of everyone across the football world. The original stadium was built in 1947 and underwent a major transformation which began in stages from 2019 onwards.
Now with a capacity of nearly 85,000, the new and improved Bernabeu is arguably the best football stadium in the world. Renovation costs are said to have exceeded £1 billion. Standout features include a retractable roof, 360-degree scoreboard and elite hospitality, making matches an unsurpassable experience for its loyal fanbase.
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