Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
With the effects of COVID-19 still being severely felt within the global soccer landscape, the ability to watch competitive matches in person has been severely diminished and where stadium visits were usually a weekly pursuit, a return trip could still be months away.
Which means although such grandiose constructions are being used, they are not welcoming the public at present and for those who love the thought of groundhopping across the world, this article is for you.
Because, to keep such impressive structures at the forefront of our collective minds, we have decided on the top 10 soccer stadiums in the world and although you are welcome to debate, here is our list of sporting cathedrals.
The newest entry on the list, Tottenham's new home was certainly worth the wait, as after delays to the building process and an extended stay at Wembley (more on that in a minute), the club were finally given the keys to the ground in March 2019.
This project was overseen by club chairman Daniel Levy and although he can be accused of being prudent in the transfer market, there was no doubt that this incredible financial outlay was worth every penny in the end.
Staying in England's capital and although this ground was Tottenham's temporary base for a couple of seasons, it is known worldwide for bigger sporting reasons. Ask any supporter what they think of Wembley and no matter their location, they will come back with just one answer.
Quite simply, Wembley is the home of the beautiful game and although it was given a facelift at the start of this new millennium, the images of countless cup finals will always be sure to live long in the memories of those who cherish the game so much.
With the stadium spelling out the words "Mes Que Un Club" in one of its stands, Barcelona is certainly more than a club and the Camp Nou is more than just the ground in which Lionel Messi plies his trade.
Considered as the location for respite during Spain's brutal Civil War, the Camp Nou allowed repressed Catalans to have an identity, an identity that was expressed via the medium of breath-taking soccer.
Staying in Spain and when it comes to El Clasico, it is usually played at one of two venues. Either the ground just mentioned above or the one found in the Spanish capital and with this stadium almost synonymous with glory, you can understand why it captures the imagination of so many.
With Real Madrid calling the Santiago Bernabeu home, they would also call the European Cup their very own and after winning the first five editions of the competition, this stadium became one of the most feared locations that visiting teams would have to deal with.
A stadium that first rose to prominence during the 'Busby Babes' era and although the likes of Bobby Charlton and Harry Gregg would first draw attention to Manchester United's home ground, many more eyes were found lusting on the players during the great Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The wily Scottish legend oversaw no less than 13 Premier League titles at this ground and during the 1990s and 2000s, the Red Devils was the team to beat, as Old Trafford was the location in which so many teams failed to achieve such a feat.
Staying in the North West of England and if Old Trafford is in the list of great soccer stadia, then Liverpool fans will be pressing for inclusion of their own home. Then again, when you look at the history connected to Anfield, you would have to say rightly so.
The Merseyside ground was an absolute fortress in the 1970s and 1980s, as Liverpool picked up countless trophies both home and abroad and although there have been a few cosmetic tweaks in recent times, the spirit of former glories very much lives on in present times.
The home of both Inter and AC Milan, the San Siro has arguably been left behind by more recent builds and although new age stadiums in the MLS may have all the glitz and glamour, they cannot replicate the soul of Italy's most revered sporting location.
Both teams have had to make do with standing in Juventus' shadow for the past decade and with the Old Lady of Turin stuttering this season, could one of the Milan climbs finally lift a Scudetto at the end of the 2020/21 campaign?
The only South American entry on our list but what an entry it is. The Maracana is nothing short of a temple when it comes to the staging of soccer fixtures in Brazil and for those who are into this pastime, the observing of the Selecao is nothing more than practising religion.
Once known for its staggering attendance of 200,000, the number has contracted over the decades due to health and safety concerns. However, even with lesser attendance, a packed rafters Maracana is one of the game's greatest sights.
The home of the current UEFA Champions League holders and for many one of the more prudent picks when it comes to online betting each weekend, as a Bayern Munich win at the Allianz Arena is as safe as houses.
Built in 2005, it used to house both of Munich's largest clubs. However, the abrupt demise of 1860 Munich in 2017, means that bar German national team matches, the Allianz Arena now only sees Bayern as their sole occupants.
Staying in Germany now and although the stadium itself is not perhaps one of the best in Germany (even if it is highly impressive), it makes our list for another reason – a reason that comes in the fullest voice of all.
Of course, Signal Iduna Park is relatively mute for now and this means we are deprived of one of the greatest sights of all. That being their infamous Black and Yellow wall chanting in unison and although they are missed for now, hopefully it will not be long until their highly anticipated return.
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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