The entirety of my childhood was based around football, from playing in the park, at school on breaks and playing championship manager on the computer. I never truly got to see all the most amazing stadiums that would appear on the Champions League on the Wednesday as my usual local match was QPR, which didn’t quite have the same glamour. I have been to Wembley and Camp Nou though, and both made a lasting impression on me, which has lead me to list the ultimate football stadiums you could visit in your life if you’re a die hard fan.
Marine Bay (the Float), Singapore
This is the only stadium in the world which is completely surrounded by football, however there isn’t actually a permanent tenant who play week in week out at this stadium. The positive to this is you can normally sneak onto the Float and have a game yourself!
Capacity: 30,000
Red Bull Leipzig, Germany
This is ‘one to watch’ as the Leipzig team was only just officially set up in 2009, yet they hold a stadium worthy of European football. Currently there isn’t a big enough fan base to fill the stadium, however the feeling of watching something blossom before everyone else knows about it makes you feel like you’re in on a glorious secret.
Capacity: 44,000
Nou Camp, Spain
As I’ve previously stated, I visited the Barcelona stadium over ten years ago and the impression stayed embedded in my mind. The size is phenomenal while the following is undeniably loyal, with easily the greatest team in the world and the best player ever to grace the game in Messi.
Capacity: 98,000
Celtic Park, Scotland
This stadium should also be viewed for one match, Celtic vs Rangers, the biggest one in Scottish football calendars. The atmosphere becomes electric, while Celtic normally come out on top as the stadium bursts into life. This is also one of the oldest stadium in Scotland.
Capacity: 60,000
Anfield, England
I couldn’t go long without mentioning the team I support, Liverpool’s stadium Anfield might not be here forever so it would be worth visiting soon. Rumours are always strong that there is potential to move to a bigger ground, however nothing could match the Kop end, as they chant from start to end and sing till their cheeks are blue. This isn’t the biggest stadium, however the packed capacity adds a sense of excitement and togetherness as you all huddle together to support your team.
Capacity: 45,000
Old Trafford, England
Probably the most supported team in the world, alongside Real Madrid, Manchester United has no quarrels with filling its 75,000 capacity stadium on a weekly basis. You can almost certainly be ensured that you are going to watch the winning team if you’re cheering on United, therefore there is an added bonus of not going home disappointed.
Capacity: 75,000
Westfalenstadion, Germany
The largest stadium in Germany, the Westfalenstadion (quite a mouthful) is home to Borrusia Dortmund, who are increasingly becoming a team to reckon with in the Champions League. Dortmund have relied on a youth team which fields some of the best players in the world currently, which helps as it adds an atmosphere of local loyalty as the fans grew up knowing the same names that are still playing today.
Capacity: 80,000
FNB stadium, South Africa
This stadium will no doubt be remembered from the South Africa World Cup in 2010, where the media nicknamed it the bird house, due to its appearance. The stadium is huge and includes the loyal support of Kaizer Chief fans, however the cacophony of sound from the vuvuzelas ringing around stadium is incredibly annoying.
Capacity: 95,000
Azadi Stadium, Iran
This stadium might not get full capacity each week, however the sheer appearance and size of this stadium means I couldn’t leave it out, as the largest football stadium in West Asia. Opened in 1971, it is home to two local clubs as well as the Iranian national team.
Capacity: 100,000
Estadio Guiseppe Meazza (San Siro), Italy
The San Siro, as it is known for short, is home to the two biggest clubs in Italy, in Inter Milan and 5 times champions league winner AC Milan. The San Siro is the largest stadium in Italy and has a strong support whichever team are playing, however racist chants can unfortunately be heard ringing around the stadium at times.
Capacity: 80,000
Allianz Arena, Germany
Home to FC Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena is the only stadium in the world that can change colour. The players on the pitch are some of the best in the world, the fans are some of the most loyal and the stadium is one of the most artistic in the world, you couldn’t ask for much more.
Capacity: 69,000
La Bombonera, Argentina
Argentina’s most famous and decorated stadium, the La Bombonera is particularly unusual in that it is a U-shape. This concept means a quarter less fans which could potentially fit in the stadium, however for originality and pure architectural genius, this should be congratulated. The slither thin vertical stand is known to shake when the diehard fans of Boca Juniors sing at full volume, which truly adds a sense of fear to the occasion.
Capacity: 49,000
Estadio Azteca, Mexico
This is without doubt the most well known stadium in North America, as the capacity is a mind boggling 104,000. Home to Club America FC, the Mexican national football team also play their home games at the Estadio Azteca. It now holds the title of the fifth largest stadium in the world, however in an ever growing construction world, who knows how long it will hold that claim for.
Capacity: 104,000
