Best 10 Football Stadium In The World ( English )

The Best Football Stadium

As the world’s most popular sport, football has lead to the development of thousands of stadiums, and some that are very special indeed! With national stadiums such as Wembley holding around 100,000 people, the structures themselves are highly impressive.

However, as well as being huge, and therefore impressive feats of engineering, the worlds football stadiums hold many memories and are the places of dreams for footballers and fans alike. In this list I will look at what are, in my opinion, the 10 greatest football stadiums in the world.

10. The Azadi Stadium

Inaugurated in 1971, the Azadi Stadium is home to the Iran national football team as well as Esteghlal and Persepolis. With a capacity of over 80,000 and part of a much larger sporting complex, this stadium is surrounded by a river, swimming facilities, and football training pitches.

The whole site is highly impressive, and with the stadium at its centre, it is a striking example of Iran’s financial power and desire to compete in the world of sport. I feel it is worthy of a place in the top 10 as a sign of the Middle-East’s ever rising presence in the world of football.

9. San Siro

Located in Milan, Italy, the San Siro is home to AC Milan as well as Inter Milan. With a capacity of 80,000, the 

stadium was designed to give maximum visibility to each of its spectators.

Although an impressive stadium in its own right, the prestige of the San Siro comes from the events that take place there. Holding the Champions League Final in 2002, and being the home of two of the world’s largest and most successful clubs, the San Siro is a stadium in which every footballer longs to one day walk out of the tunnel. It just lacks the certain magic of the Camp Nou or Old Trafford, otherwise it would be much higher on this list.

8. Anfield

Opened in 1884, Anfield has become one of England’s most iconic football stadiums. The home of Liverpool FC, Anfield has become synonymous for its electric atmosphere, particularly on European nights.

Liverpool have won 5 Champions League titles, including back to back victories in 1977 and 1978, with Anfield constantly being the core of their support and belief. Although it is not a large stadium in modern terms, only holding around 45,000, it cannot be questioned that Anfield is one of the greatest stadiums in the world in terms of atmosphere. It is the true Mecca for Liverpool fans and long may that continue!

7. Bernabeu

With a capacity of over 85,000 spectators, Real Madrid’s ground is certainly highly impressive. As one of Europe’s most successful clubs, winning 9 Champions League titles, Real Madrid have earned the right to play in a beautiful stadium such as the Bernabeu.

It has been the stomping ground of many of the world’s greatest players over the years and is currently where Christiano Ronaldo calls home. Its prestige is somewhat overshadowed by the Nou Camp in Barcelona, however the impressiveness of the Bernabeu cannot be underestimated.

6. Soccer City

Soccer City, also known as the First National Bank Stadium is located in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa. It was designed to be the premiere stadium for the 2010 World Cup and also hosted the final between Netherlands and Spain. It has become the largest stadium in Africa with a capacity of over 90,000.

It is a highly impressive structure and added to its location and the sound of the vuvuzelas, it has earned its place in the top 10 world stadiums due to the atmosphere is harbours. It is a shame that this stadium is not in Europe so it could be home to Champions League sides, however it is a sign that Africa as a continent is expanding its influence on football and may become a big player in the future!

5. Azteca

There are many reasons why this beautiful stadium has made the top 5 of this list, however the primary reason is that it is currently the only stadium in the world to play host to two World Cup finals. It will go down in history amongst English football fans as the location for Maradona’s infamous “hand of God” goal.

Although this may leave a sour taste in the mouth of English fans, it cannot be denied that this is a glorious stadium and one that holds happy memories for many. Even in the modern era it holds over 100,000 fans and is invaluable to Mexican football.

4. Camp Nou

The Camp Nou is Spain’s largest football stadium and also the home of arguably Europe’s greatest football team, Barcelona. It has been Barcelona’s home ground ever since 1957 and seats over 99,000 fans. It has hosted two Champions League finals and has hundreds of the world’s greatest players grace its surface, most notably Lionel Messi.

The reason it bursts into the top 5 on this list is its sheer size and the intense atmosphere that it generates, especially during Champions League matches.

3. Old Trafford

Old Trafford, nicknamed the “Theatre of Dreams”, is the most iconic stadium in English club football. It has been the home ground of Manchester United since 1910 and now seats over 75,000. As well as being a modern stadium and the centre for all things ‘The Red Devils’, it has become a popular venue for England matches, particularly during the renovations at Wembley.

Getting the chance to play at Old Trafford has long since been the dream of countless young footballers, with only the privileged few being allowed to don the red shirt and take to the grass. There is something strangely poetic about Old Trafford and that is why it makes the top 3.

2. The Allianz Arena

The stunningly beautiful Allianz Arena has been the home of European Champions Bayern Munich, as well as TSV 1860 Munchen since 2005 after they moved there from the Munich Olympic Stadium. Seating just over 70,000 fans, it may only be the third largest stadium in Germany, but nevertheless its magic is not lost.

When it is lit up at night it looks simply stunning, with no better evidence for this than when it played host to the 

Champions League Final in 2012. Personally, it is my favourite stadium in the world, however it does not yet have the prestige or history to compete with the stadium that I have ranked at number 1…

1. Wembley

Reopened in 2007 and built on the site of the previous 1923 Wembley Stadium, the New Wembley has quickly become the most iconic football stadium in the world. This is largely down to the prestige built by the previous stadium, however the New Wembley is a fantastic stadium in its own right. With a seating capacity of 90,000, it is eclipsed only by the Camp Nou in Barcelona in terms of size.

It serves as the home of the England National side and is regularly packed out for international matches. As well as this it is the place where football fans from all over the country aspire to go to to cheer on their teams in play off finals or FA Cup finals. It truly is the home of English football and long may that continue!

And My City Stadium..

Patriot Stadium

Survey By: ESPN.com

Writer: @aqmal_f17