Iconic Sports Stadiums Around the World

For sports fans around the world, stadiums hold a special place in our heart. Our home team's stadium is not only the place where the team plays, but it's often a rallying point and a prominent center for our community. While sports matches are normally the biggest events, there are also music concerts, political rallies, community events and many other spectacles that take place here. As important as these stadiums are, they have become beloved and cherished to their respective cities.

Though there are many to choose from, here are some of the most iconic sports stadiums that have to be mentioned.

Wembley Stadium

Starting off with one of the most well known stadiums in the world, Wembley Stadium in Wembley, London, is the certified home of English football. The major sporting events that have been held here in the last decade alone set it apart from other stadiums around the world. These include the 2011 and 2013 UEFA Champions League Finals, the 2012 Olympic Games, Emirates FA Cup Finals, NFL games and many more.

While the original Wembley Stadium was demolished in 2002, the improved venue was opened in 2007 and has an average seating capacity of 90,000. In terms of major cultural importance, it is truly hard to beat this iconic English stadium.

AT&T Stadium

Texas is a state that is football crazy and here, the Dallas Cowboys stand above all other teams. Naturally, the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX has become one of the most famous stadiums in the US for a variety of reasons. This stadium is multi-purposed and plays a big role in the community. It's regularly a host for concerts, rodeo, basketball, and Major League Soccer (MLS) games.

Primarily, it will always be associated with the world's most valuable sports franchise, the Dallas Cowboys. With the excitement behind the team the past few years, the Cowboys are not only attracting favorable NFL betting odds, but they are also filling the stadium's 80,000 person capacity for every home game.

The AT&T Stadium also has the honor of being one of the few fully-retractable roof stadiums in the US. Construction of this stadium came with a hefty price tag of $1.3 billion.

Santiago Bernabeu

The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, has seen its fair share of history over its 72 years of existence. It is the home of the beloved Real Madrid football club, and this ensures it will always be a respected place, with fans making the pilgrimage here for every home match.

While it is certainly not the most modern stadium by any means, you can feel the decades of history when you take a seat above the pitch. Luckily, there are plans for a £500 million dollar renovation to completely rejuvenate this historic venue. Over the years, Santiago Bernabeu has had the honors of hosting UEFA Champions League Finals on several occasions in 1957, 1969, 1980, and 2010. With an 80,000 seat capacity, it is the 2nd largest stadium in Spain behind Barcelona's Camp Nou.

Yankee Stadium

The Yankees are one of the most recognizable brands in the world. As the team is completely synonymous with New York City, the Yankee Stadium has become a major landmark here.

While the original Yankee Stadium was demolished a decade ago, this new and improved venue has become just as beloved and proudly carries on the Yankee name. Situated in The Bronx, New York, the stadium is one of the most expensive ever built, with an eye-popping price tag of $1.5 billion. This is fitting, as the Yankee's brand is worth nearly $5 billion dollars alone.

Old Trafford

Nicknamed the "Theatre of Dreams" by retired English footballer Bobby Charlton, Old Trafford has been the home of Manchester United since its completion in 1910. As far as important cultural landmarks go, Old Trafford has served the Greater Manchester community for over a century.

Every major football tournament has been held here at one point or another, and every Manchester fan has their own stories to share about this cherished stadium. Generations of English royalty have been in attendance here, as well as numerous celebrities and other famous figures in history. When you discuss iconic sports stadiums, a list without a nod to Old Trafford would be a crime.