What are the makings of a truly top top stadium? The history of the ground? The support of the home fans? The pitch? capacity? Iconic moments? If you guessed that all the aforementioned are important indices in categorizing stadiums, you are correct.
Today, we look at the ten most iconic stadiums in the world. They are the best of the rest in sheer number of iconic moments, pitch size, quality of the home support and players to have played at the ground.
Pro tip: Most of the names here are not really football grounds, they are more like cathedrals, or temples – if you will.
MARACANÃ STADIUM
One of the world’s oldest stadium located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sometimes referred to as the spiritual home of football. It has a sitting capacity of 78,838. Maracanã which is officially known as Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho has hosted a number of musical concerts, football and sporting events; notable mentions: The 2013 Confederations Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympic games. It is also the football home of the Brazilian National team, Fluminense, Flamengo, Botafago and Vasco de Gama.
ALLIANZ ARENA
Bavaria, Germany it is the home of Bundesliga giants and football powerhouses – FC Bayern München. It is iconic and easily recognized because of the (changing) colours made possible by its inflated EFTE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene)
panels. It has a sitting capacity of 75,000. Owned and operated by financial house Allianz, the name Allianz can’t be used during FIFA and UEFA competitions because of policies that forbid corporate bodies from sponsorship if they aren’t official tournament partners. In UEFA competitions it is referred to as Fußball Arena München. The Allianz Arena hosted the 2012 UEFA Champions League final”
WESTFALEN STADION
Also known as Signal Iduna Park as a result of naming rights and sponsorship until 2021 by Insurance Group Signal Iduna Group. Located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is the home of German football giants Borussia Dortmund. Signal Iduna Park is known for its fierceness, hostile and noisy fans during games. It has a sitting capacity of 81,360. The stadium played host to matches during the 1974 and 2016 FIFA World Cup and the 2001 UEFA Champions League Final.
WEMBLEY STADIUM
Located in Wembley, London. It is the home of the English National Team and more recently the home ground for Tottenham Hotspurs’ European games. It has a sitting capacity of 90,000, which makes it the largest stadium in England, the United Kingdom and the second largest in Europe behind the Camp Nou. It has played host to numerous high profile games over the years including hosting the UEFA Champions League final twice in recent years (2003 & 2011). It has also hosted the Gold Medal Men’s Football Match during the London 2012 Olympic Games and the annual finals of the FA and EFL Cups.
CAMP NOU
Located in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, it is the home of Spanish powerhouses FC Barcelona and the Catalonian Football Team. It has a sitting capacity of 99,354 thus making it the largest stadium in Europe by capacity. It hosts one leg of one of the most iconic derbies – the El Classico. It has played host to numerous high profile matches including a semi final of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, 2 UEFA Champions League finals and the Gold Medal Men’s Football Match during the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Game.
SANTIAGO BERNABÉU
Named after former player and president Santiago Bernabéu. Located in the district of Chamartín, Madrid, Spain. It is the home of current Champions League and Club World Cup holders and football superpowers Real Madrid CF. It has a sitting capacity of 85,454. It is host of the other leg of El Clásico, one of the most iconic derbies in football. It has hosted various high profile matches including the European Cup/UEFA Champions League final in 1957, 1969, 1980 & 2010 as well the final matches of the 1964 European Nations Cup and 1982 FIFA World Cup
ALI SAMI YEN STADI (TÜRK TELEKOM ARENA)
Ali Sami Yen Stadı was home to Turkish giants Galatasaray S.K, from 1964 – 2010. Located in Mecidiyeköy, Istanbul, Turkey. Famously nicknamed “Hell” by the Galatasaray supporters because of the red and yellow that dons a larger part of the stadium, enthusiastic support and chanting from the crowd with torches, drums, smoke and giant posters to apply psychological pressure on visiting teams. A ground that has witnessed the downfall of world footballing giants: FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF, Milan AC and many more. It has a sitting capacity of 23,477. It is the ground known for the Liverpool’s Istanbul Miracle – which witnessed the greatest comeback in UEFA Champions League Final history. The stadium was closed because the board saw the need for expansion – Welcome to the new Hell – Türk Telekom Arena.
STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA
Commonly referred to as San Siro. Located in Milan, Italy. Originally named Nuovo Stadio Calcistico San Siro (San Siro New Football Stadium) was renamed in 1980 in honour of Giuseppe Meazza, two-time world champion and former player of both Milan Clubs (Inter Milan and A.C Milan) in the early to mid-1900s. It is the home of Italian football giants, Inter Milan and A.C Milan. It has a sitting capacity of 80,018 making it the largest stadium by capacity in Italy. It has hosted many high profile games including six games during the 1990 FIFA World Cup and four European Cup/UEFA Champions League Finals.
OLD TRAFFORD
Nicknamed “The Theater of Dreams” by Sir Bobby Charlton. Located in Stretford, Greater Manchester, England. The home of English football giants Manchester United. It has a sitting capacity of 75,643 – one of the largest in England. It has played host to high profile matches including games during the 1966 FIFA World Cup and Euro ’96 as well as the UEFA Champions League final in 2003.
ESTÁDIO DA LUZ
Officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Estadio da Luz translates to Stadium of Light. Located in Lisbon, Portugal. It’s the home of Portuguese football giants, SL Benfica and the Portuguese National Team. It has a sitting capacity of 64,642. It has hosted several high profile games including matches of the Euro 2004 including the Final and the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final. It was voted the most beautiful stadium in 2014 in an online poll by French newspaper L’Équipe.
Article By: @herokidofficial
