Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
It's always fun to compare sports and see the difference between them in terms of fans, sporting arenas, size of events, etc.
In this case, we have the world's most popular sport football, heading against the old-timer horse racing that still manages to stay relevant.
We are interested in the size of the sporting centers, grounds, and arenas that are used for organizing events like the Champions League Final, the World Cup, or The Kentucky Derby.
If we compare these sports in terms of numbers, according to Gitnux, football is the most popular sport in the world with a fan base of around 4 billion. That's half of the world's population!
On the other hand, we have horse racing with an estimated fan base of around 1.45 billion.
So, you'd think that the size of football stadiums should be significantly bigger than horse racing tracks? Wrong.
Just because football has more fans it doesn't necessarily mean that the stadiums would be bigger. In fact, some of the biggest racetracks make football stadiums look miniature.
Football grounds are often spectacular, but they don't have a large seating capacity, at least not compared to some of the most popular racecourses. The largest commercial football stadium is located in North Korea, but since that's off-limits and we cannot trust that information, the biggest one that we have is Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain.
The home of FC Barcelona has a seating capacity that goes beyond 99,000, and it is easily one of the biggest football stadiums in the world. After all, it can accommodate a small city's worth of enthusiastic football fans, creating an incredible atmosphere that can be heard across the entire city.
The largest horse racetrack, by contrast, is the Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu, Japan. Covering approximately 2.5 million square meters, it is one of the largest horse racing tracks in the world.
If we take Camp Nou and put it on the track, it will take only a small portion of the land, and would still be possible to organize a race.
That's how big the Tokyo Racecourse is.
But comparing land mass is not that impressive right? How does the Tokyo Racecourse compare in terms of capacity?
The capacity of this horse racing stadium is what is shocking. The Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu has a capacity of 223,000, but that's only because of the space on the track. Out of all those people, only 13,750 will secure a seat for the races.
Comparing it to Camp Nou, which is a soccer stadium with a seating capacity exceeding 99,000, highlights the significant difference in scale. But it's fair to say that all 99,000 people will be seated at Camp Nou, but the majority of the people will be standing at Tokyo Racecourse.
That's because of the nature of the sport. Horse races usually last shorter than football matches. Therefore, it's quite difficult to add a standing arrangement in football stadiums since people would need to stand for around 2 or more hours.
Football's allure lies not just in the game but also in the communal experience of cheering alongside thousands of fellow supporters. The Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, captures this essence with a seating capacity of over 78,000. This colossal venue has witnessed historic football moments, showcasing the passion and dedication of fans worldwide.
But let's look at the record for spectators attending a football match. You'd be surprised to find out that this record was set in 1956 when Real Madrid played against the Italian giants A.C Milan in the European Semi-Final.
That day, 130,000 people witnessed the match at the Santiago Bernabeu.
On the other hand, horse racing events attract more fans. Why? Well, maybe because they are rarer. For example, Real Madrid plays more than 40 times during one season, and there is only one Kentucky Derby.
Maybe that's why the Kentucky Derby had a record attendance of 170,000 in 2015. This was the same year when according to TwinSpires we got the birth of American Pharoah the Triple Crown Champion.
However, the number of spectators has been dropping ever since. Maybe this year with the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby and the new renovations at Churchill Downs we will see a new record.
Modern football stadiums are architectural marvels, incorporating advanced technologies and innovative designs. The Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, stands out with its iconic illuminated façade that changes colors, creating a mesmerizing spectacle during evening matches. These stadiums are not just venues; they are landmarks that symbolize the spirit of the sport.
Racetracks are not as high-tech as football stadiums. Meydan Racecourse is probably one of the most technologically advanced racetracks on the planet right now. And possibly Belmont Stakes after the $455 million renovations that will be completed in 2026.
All good things have to come to an end, and the same unfortunately has to be said for football stadiums too. This article looks at the grounds which are soon to host their last match, the stadiums whose days are numbered and where fans will be watching their football from next.
My daughter's first ever football match - Orlando City v Atlanta United, August 2019. Written for Izzy to read when she gets old enough. Vamos Orlando
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