Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
Following a blockbuster summer that saw Spain emerge victorious as UEFA Euro 2024 winners and Argentina crowned Copa America champions, attention now turns back to club matters. Europe's top leagues will all get back underway throughout the latter part of August and early September before continental action kicks off a few weeks after that. Between then and next May, the continent's finest will battle it out for glory across three tournaments, but which stadiums will be hosting those showpiece fixtures next summer?
Heading into the 2024/25 UCL campaign, websites allowing one to place online bets have made Manchester City the short-priced 5/2 favourites for glory. However, 3/1 second favourites Real Madrid head into the tournament as the reigning champions. They defeated the Blues on penalties at the quarter-final stage before defeating Borussia Dortmund at Wembley by two goals to nil to lift their famed 'Big-eared' trophy for a record-extending 15th time.
Los Blancos are also the 4/9 favourites to win La Liga as well. Using an online odds calculator, the bookies give the Bernabeu outfit a 4.78/1 shot of clinging on to both trophies they won so impressively last season. However, it's the 31st of May and Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena that Carlo Ancelotti's side will have their eyes fixed on.
That is the date and location of the 2024/25 Champions League final, and several clubs will all be aiming to make it to the Bavaria-hosted showpiece. The last time the stadium played host was back in 2012 when underdogs Chelsea downed Bayern on penalties in their stadium no less to lift the trophy for the first time in history. Who will emerge victorious this year?
Chelsea enjoyed the last Munich final back in 2012... #UCL | @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/vgHtvKmlal
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 25, 2019
For the Europa League final, all eyes turn to the iconic San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. Home to Athletic Bilbao, this 11-year-old venue is already steeped in footballing tradition and has witnessed some classic encounters over the years, including seeing its inhabitants defeat both Marseille and Valencia in the Europa League back in 2016.
This year, Bilbao returns to the tournament after six long years after their Copa Del Rey triumph last term, and they will be doing everything they can to ensure that they play in the party that they are hosting on May 21st.
In a nod to the newest addition to the UEFA club competitions, the Conference League final will be held at the vibrant Stadion Wroclaw in Poland. Like Bilbao before them, the stadium's inhabitants Slask Wroclaw will be participating in the tournament. However, unlike their Spanish counterparts, they have no real European pedigree. The Ekstraklasa runners-up have never played in the group stages of a UEFA-sanctioned tournament, suffering eliminations in the qualifying rounds on each occasion.
This year, knowing that their 40,000-capacity stadium home will be hosting the final on May 28th, they will certainly be motivated to push for a deep run in the tournament. Silverware though is unlikely, especially with the likes of Chelsea, Real Betis, and Fiorentina all gunning for the crown.
Taking my son to his first football match was one of the best experiences I've had as a father so far. I've written this article for Alex to read when he gets older.
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.
Tony Incenzo has been to over 2,000 football grounds - is he the world's barmiest football fan? Read about his love for Non-League football and groundhopping obsession, including watching a match in prison!
The 91 biggest football stadiums in Europe. From Manchester to Munich, Villa Park to Valencia - each one with a capacity over 40,000
