30. Providence Park (United States)
Major League Soccer is an afterthought to most fans outside the United States, but the recently renovated home of the Portland Timbers in Oregon is the gem of the league. Originally opened in the late 1920s, Providence Park is known for its ivy-covered facade and rampant passion of the “Timbers Army.” With 4,000 seats added to push the capacity over 25,000 and major upgrades from food to phone-charging stations, it’s a new era for the historic venue.
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29. Azadi Stadium (Iran)
While the Iranian stadium, located in Tehran, is quite the marvel itself, it’s also part of a bigger athletic complex – mostly used as an Olympic training facility. Between club play and use from the Iran national team, the 78,000-plus seat Azadi is quite the spectacle when packed and loud.
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28. Emirates Stadium (England)
Though the most recent home of the Gunners might lack the overall charm of the old Arsenal Stadium, the Emirates has all the bells and whistles for players and supporters to enjoy. Since moving to its new digs in 2006, the club continues to do its best to restore some of the history of the old building via the current look of the stadium and spirit of the Highbury.
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27. Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti (Argentina)
Argentina’s largest stadium at more than 70,000, the ageless wonder and home of River Plate continues to stand the test of time. The Buenos Aires’ fortress hosted the 1978 World Cup Final, featuring the host country. While the venue can use more upgrades, there is still something special about the place that remains endearing to fans.
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26. Etihad Stadium (England)
This is the venue reigning English Premier League champion Manchester City calls home. Though it does not have the history as the more well-known ground in Manchester, the Etihad can more than hold its own when satisfying players and supporters alike. It seats just over 54,000 for domestic matches, and has been lauded for its sound architectural design and stellar match-day atmosphere – the latter thanks to the recent consistent success of the club.
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25. Olympiastadion (Germany)
Though originally built as the centerpiece of the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics, the massive stadium has grown into a respected soccer venue. Thanks mostly, to home side Hertha Berlin of the Bundesliga. Clearing 74,000 capacity, the stadium has also hosted World Cup matches in 1974 and 2006, as well as the 2015 Champions League Final.
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24. Bukit Jalil National Stadium (Malaysia)
At a capacity of more than 87,411, Bukit Jalil — home of the Malaysian national team in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur — ranks as the eighth-largest soccer stadium in the world. Originally built to host the 1998 Commonwealth Games, the stadium has undergone an extensive renovation in recent years.
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23. St James’ Park (England)
Home of the English Premier League’s Newcastle United, it’s the supporters of the Tyneside club that make St James’ a special place to enjoy a match. Newcastle has played here since the 1890s, and though maybe not aesthetically proper, the ground offers an intimate soccer experience while offering enough modern amenities to feel comfortable.
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22. RheinEnergieStadion (Germany)
This fixture in the city of Cologne has been around since the 1920s. The Billy Goats of Bundesliga club FC Cologne call this historic venue of almost 50,000 capacity home. In addition to being a domestic staple for decades, including a pair of previous Mungersdorfer stadiums, RheinEnergie has also played host to World Cup matches.
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21. Friends Arena (Sweden)
Scandinavia’s biggest stadium, Friends Arena is located just north of downtown Stockholm and seats between 50-55,000 for soccer matches. Introduced to the world in 2012, it’s one of the newer venues on this list. And, state-of-the-art all the way. The stadium features a retractable roof and outside facade that has a reported 17 million different color schemes on its exterior panels.
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20. Stade de France (France)
Located slightly north of Paris, the Stade is the official home of French soccer. The massive structure, which seats more than 80,000 for soccer, was built to host the 1998 World Cup – which fittingly was won on the same pitch by the French in one of the most memorable moments in international soccer history. In addition to the World Cup, the venue has also hosted Champions League Finals and the Rugby World Cup.
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19. Mestalla Stadium (Spain)
One of the more unique soccer stadiums in all of Europe, the Mestalla is home to famed Spanish club Valencia CF. The stadium sits 55,000 people, and is well known for its steep North Stand seating section that almost looks like fans can slide onto the pitch. Of course, that’s not possible, but can still be a viewing adventure.
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18. Estadio da Luz (Portugal)
The home ground of Lisbon-based Benifica, the Estadio da Luz has also hosted its share of matches featuring Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal’s national team. With its arch-featured roofing and plenty of red and white seating, da Luz is a quality pitch that offers a modern viewing vibe for supporters. Back in 2014, it was voted the most beautiful stadium in Europe by L’Equipe newspaper.
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17. Luzhniki Stadium (Russia)
The largest soccer stadium in Russia was on display for all to see as it served as the main venue of the 2018 World Cup. At 81,000 capacity, Luzhniki is massive — and rightfully so, since it was used for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1980 Olympics. The stadium has been upgraded and spruced up to offer a quality soccer viewing experience.
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16. Stamford Bridge (England)
For as big and popular as Chelsea is worldwide, there is still some cozy charm associated with “The Bridge.” Though it can hold nearly 41,000 to watch the Blues, it feels more intimate than its size. The club and neighborhood have also gone to great lengths to make the stadium area an entertainment haven and a year-around destination for those who fancy a peek off-season.
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15. Celtic Park (Scotland)
“Welcome to Paradise.” That’s what supporters of Scottish side Celtic FC like to think when walking inside this grand venue. It opened in the late 1890s and endured an extensive renovation during the 1990s. Throughout the years, though, Celtic Park has not lost is charm and remains one of the most cherished sporting venues in all the United Kingdom.
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14. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (England)
While White Hart Lane was an iconic, beloved English pitch, Spurs’ new home is beyond state-of-the-art. The stadium reportedly has the first dividing, retractable pitch. Another synthetic turf playing surface is used when the NFL comes to north London. It accommodates just over 62,000 for domestic matches and was described by The Telegraph as “imposing and extravagant.” But, still considered intimate enough to be enjoyable.
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13. Allianz Stadium (Italy)
The home of Italian power Juventus, located in the historic city of Turin. Unveiled in 2011 and popularly referred to as Juventus Stadium, it offers plenty of modern intimacy for supporters, home and away, to enjoy. Seating about 41,500, the pitch is nearly always immaculate and the museum honoring the storied history of the club is truly impressive.
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12. FNB Stadium (South Africa)
The largest stadium in Africa is part of the area known as “Soccer City” — which also includes the offices of FIFA. It also goes by “The Calabash,” a popular reference to the exterior of the stadium resembling an African pot. It seats almost 95,000, and was the centerpiece of the 2010 World Cup — which featured the final public appearance of former South African president Nelson Mandela.
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11. Maracana Stadium (Brazil)
Officially known as Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, the famed Rio de Janeiro pitch is among the most historic in all of international soccer. It’s seen the hosts’ stunning 2-1 loss to Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup. It also was a staple of the 2014 World Cup and continues to host club matches. While it’s been known to hold close to 200,000 spectators, the Maracana’s official capacity is nearly 79,000.
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10. Stade Louis II (Monaco)
Tucked inside the tiny confines of the bustling Fontevieille district of Monaco, Stade Louis II’s location is just as synonymous with Ligue 1 side AS Monaco as the quality of soccer put forth on the pitch. From the famed nine arches on the east end to the cozy 18,000-plus-seat capacity, taking in a Monaco match adds to the experience of being in one of the most beautiful and ritzy spots in the world.
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9. Signal Iduna Park (Germany)
Otherwise known as Westfalenstadion, the home ground of Bundesliga power Borussia Dortmund. Claiming a capacity of 81,365, Westfalenstadion is the largest stadium in Germany. Dortmund’s fans are considered some of the most loyal in all of European soccer, with a season-ticket base exceeding well over 50,000. Its modern facade and intimate, comfortable interior make it a true gem.
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8. Anfield (England)
Recent additions to the home of Liverpool, since the late 1890s, have certainly livened up the experience for players and supporters alike. That’s because even with the upgrades, Anfield has not lost its charisma. Taking in the game from “The Kop” stand is considered one of the great fan experiences in all of world soccer.
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7. Old Trafford (England)
“The Theatre of Dreams” has been the home of English giants Manchester United since 1910. Obvious additions, upgrades and renovations have been made to the famed stadium, and more are likely in the works. With a capacity just under 75,000, Old Trafford is the largest stadium in the United Kingdom that is home to a club team. Stands are named after legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson and club hero Bobby Charlton.
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6. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza Stadium (Italy)
More commonly known as San Siro, we’ll add this iconic ground as a tribute to its illustrious past, while also celebrating a bigger and brighter future for the pitch. Tenants AC Milan and Inter announced in the summer of 2019 that San Siro will be demolished and a shiny, new £690 million stadium will rise up from the Milan ashes – at least in the surrounding area – by 2022. It’s history includes hosting World Cup matches in 1934 and 1990.
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5. Wembley Stadium (England)
Though no club team calls Wembley home at the moment, it’s perhaps the most recognizable soccer venue in the United Kingdom. Introduced in 2007 on the site of the legendary London ground of the same name, the current version of Wembley continues to host major soccer events including the FA Cup, League Cup and matches featuring England’s national team.
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4. Allianz Arena (Germany)
Inside or out, Allianz should be considered among the gold standard for soccer stadiums. Home to world power Bayern Munich, the stadium features unique, colorized exterior ETFE plastic panels that light up the arena in brilliant fashion. Inside, the state-of-the-art 75,000-seat venue can still feel massively intimate when packed to the rafters as Bayern take to the pitch within the Bundesliga.
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3. Estadio Azteca (Mexico)
Or Azteca Stadium as known to those north of the Mexican border. For as unique-looking the stadium is on the outside, it’s what has happened inside that merits a high spot on this list. Sitting 7,200 feet above sea level with a capacity of more than 87,000, this institution of Mexican soccer was the first stadium to host two World Cup Finals (1970, ’86). It also was the scene of Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal and legendary “Goal of the Century” during the 1986 World Cup Quarterfinals.
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2. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (Spain)
Home to famed Real Madrid, this venue is often described as feeling more compact than its current 81,000-plus capacity would indicate. The tour of the stadium is among one of the most popular attractions in the entire country, let alone the city of Madrid. Renovation plans include a retractable roof and 360-degree video screen to further enhance the fan experience.
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1. Camp Nou (Spain)
FC Barcelona’s legendary home can simply be described as massive. Which makes sense since the home side is arguably the most popular club in international soccer. Boasting a capacity of 99,354, Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe. A true fortress in the sport, simply being in the stands for a Barca match is an experience when taking in the atmosphere and respecting the history.
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