There’s something a little bit special about the first time you go to your first football match. You may have watched your local team on the television plenty of times before but nothing beats that sense of awe when you see the huge pitch, hear the roaring atmosphere and feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up for the very first time.
It goes without saying the biggest teams in the world would have the greatest stadiums, graced by the best players to ever play to beautiful game. What we’re going to do is run you through a summary of some of the grandest stadiums in the game – from the biggest crowds to the brightest nets – in no particular order, we wouldn’t want any fans getting mad at us for favouritism!
Amsterdam Arena (Netherlands)
Otherwise known as the De Meer Stadion, this 53,052-capacity stadium plays host to both Ajax and the Dutch National team. The stadium has been home to many a footballing great who has played for Ajax, not least Frank Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten, the stadium will soon be changing its name to reflect their most iconic player and manager: Johan Cruyff.
San Siro (Italy)
The shared home of two of Italians footballs biggest powerhouses – and heated rivals – AC Milan and Inter Milan. Opened to the public in 1926, the capacity holds a massive 80,018 people and is the biggest stadium in Italy. The Milan derby would be one to watch at the San Siro, both teams furiously competing for the bragging rights in their own home.
Anfield (England)
Home to one of the most successful teams in England, Liverpool FC. This is one of the smaller inclusions on this list, with a capacity of 54,074, but it has a rightful place on this list for its legendary status. Liverpool were a dominant force in football in the 1970’s & 1980’s and continued to win title after title, Anfield played a huge part in this as it was viewed as a fortress. Before every game the fans belt out the club song You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Old Trafford (England)
The largest stadium in England, Old Trafford is the stadium of Liverpool’s bitter rivals Manchester United. Often referred to as ‘The Theatre of Dreams’, this stadium holds 75,643 spectators. This iconic stadium has been through a lot since it opened in 1910, it even survived a German WW2 bombing, so it’s safe to say we’ll see it around for a long time in the future as well.
Allianz Arena (Germany)
Opened in 2005, the Allianz is one of the newer inclusions on this list, but it’s use of modern technology must be seen to be believed. Shared by both Munich based teams Bayern Munich & 1860 Munich and hosts the German National team when they play at home. The stadium literally changes its colours to reflect whatever team plays there – red for Bayern Munich, blue for 1860 Munich and white for Germany.
Nou Camp (Spain)
The famous home of FC Barcelona and just like they are ‘more than a club’ this is more than a stadium. With a capacity of 99,354 it is both the largest stadium in Spain and Europe itself. What are considered two of footballs greatest ever players both past and present, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, have called this ground their home. It is a place truly worthy of all the folklore that surrounds it.
