What would football be without the grounds to play the game on? Whether it be a small field of grass or a large, complex stadium structure, football fans need somewhere to gather and football players need some place to play. Often, in the 21st century we take football stadiums for granted, as they've become such an integral part of the sport. In an attempt to remedy this, we are going to take a look at a few of the most impressive football stadiums in the world.
Located in Spain, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is the home field of one of football's most decorated and celebrated clubs, Real Madrid. Real Madrid are currently the most popular club in the world, as well as one of the most successful, having won a number of trophies, honors, and awards. For that reason, they are always a favorite to bet on, whether you enjoy in-play betting or classic pre-game wagers. With the club's success in mind, it shouldn't surprise anyone to find their stadium listed here.
But, even aside from its connection to one of football's most successful clubs, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is an impressive sight all on its own. It can seat 85,000 football fans, making it the second largest stadium, in terms of capacity, in Spain, and one of the largest in the world. The retractable roof makes it the perfect grounds for any situation, whether that be the rainy winter, or the hot summer. The stadium's reputation is why Santiago Bernabeu became the first European grounds to host both the UEFA Euro final, and the FIFA World Cup final.
We can't talk about legendary and iconic football stadiums without bringing up Old Trafford. Located in the Greater Manchester area, Old Trafford is home to England's most iconic club, Manchester United. Though the Red Devils have been having a bit of a rough time lately, their historic successes domestically and internationally should not be forgotten. Nor should their incredible stadium, which has been the grounds for many of their successes.
Nicknamed "The Theatre of Dreams," the Old Trafford stadium was first constructed in 1909. It has endured two world wars, and has even survived air raids during the second one. Of course, Old Trafford has significantly changed since it was first built in the early 20th century. But, it has never once lost the spirit that makes it an iconic structure.
With a capacity of 75,000, the Old Trafford is one of the largest club football stadiums in the United Kingdom, and the twelfth largest in Europe, and one of the most visited as well. Its iconic status is one of the reasons that the Old Trafford is used, not just by football leagues, but also by rugby league, rugby union, as well as a number of concerts and other performances throughout its history, and still to this day.
The Allianz Arena, also known as the Munich Football Arena, is a stadium located in the German city of Munich, Bavaria. With a capacity of 70,000, it is one of the biggest German stadiums, and home to Germany's most celebrated and beloved club, Bayern Munich. Pretty much since its construction in 2005, the Allianz Arena has been associated with the Bayern Munich brand, and today it is viewed as one of the most iconic constructions in the world of football.
What puts Allianz Arena apart from other stadiums is the luminous exterior, constructed of ETFE-foil air panels. The air panels are kept up with dry air, and decorated by a series of dots. When viewed from further away, the dots come together, and simply appear white. However, the closer one gets to the arena, the more likely it is for people to see the red, blue, and white lights that illuminate the exterior. This impressive phenomenon has made the Allianz Arena an iconic building in Munich.
The Munich Football Arena has hosted several well-known events in the world of football, including the 2006 FIFA World Cup event. The World Cup is, of course, not just the biggest football tournament in the world, but also the biggest and most popular sporting event, watched by over a billion fans every four years. The Allianz Arena has also hosted the UEFA Euro 2020, and most recently the UEFA Euro 2024. It is certainly one of football's finest stadiums.
When we brought up Old Trafford, we said it was the second biggest English stadium, possibly leaving many readers wondering which one is the first. Well, it is time to answer that question. The biggest stadium in the United Kingdom is Wembley, with a capacity of 90,000, at least as far as football is concerned. Wembley is the home turf of the English national football team.
It took four years to construct Wembley stadium, beginning in 2003. By 2007, England had created one of the most iconic sports grounds in the world. Wembley contains over 2,600 toilets, more than any stadium in the world, an impressive circumference of 1 km., and escalators stretching to 400 meters. The impressive design leaves many stunned when visiting this marvelous work of modern architecture.
Indeed, many of the greatest musical artists of our generation have performed in Wembley. Metallica, the Foo Fighters, Green Day, The Killers, U2, and the queen of R&B and pop herself, Beyonce have all performed in Wembley for an audience of tens of thousands of people. Wembley has also been the grounds for several charity concerts, including the Live Earth concert, held in 2007, soon after the stadium was built.
The 91 biggest football stadiums in Europe. From Manchester to Munich, Villa Park to Valencia - each one with a capacity over 40,000
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.
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