Football is the most popular sport in Tanzania and the world. Every week, millions of Tanzanians tune in to watch their favorite teams and players. There are different reasons why football is enjoyed so much. From the amazing goals and player skills to the incredible moments and memories, the feeling is truly unmatched. Over time, fans have built a strong bond with their teams, not just the players, trophies, and moments but also the stadiums.
Stadiums are not just venues where matches are played; they serve a much bigger role and are a vital connection between fans and the teams. It’s basically the home of all the amazing footballing memories that last generations. The phenomenal matches, the memorable goals, and the breathtaking goals all happen in these stadiums that are filled with thousands of people, all sharing the same passion and identity.
But over time, some stadiums have proven to be more iconic than others, and here, we’ll explore the ten greatest stadiums in the world of football today. Luckily, you don’t have to physically be in your favorite club’s stadium in order to feel the thrills and exciting sensation of winning. With Parimatch, you can enjoy the best odds and market options on all your favorite leagues, place your bets, and win. Visit our site to begin the process.
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Best Soccer Stadiums in the World Today
Stadiums are huge parts of a team’s identity. Some stadiums are so powerful that they strike fear into the opposition and win games for their teams. There are so many factors that come into play when classifying a stadium’s iconic status. Its age, capacity, history/moments, and location. We’ve considered all of these factors and more, and we’ve created a list of the ten best stadiums in the world of football. Here’s our list:
|
# |
Stadium | Location | Tenants | Capacity |
Year |
| 1 | Wembley | London, England | England National Team | 90,000 | 2007 |
| 2 | Santiago Bernabeu | Madrid, Spain | Real Madrid | 81,044 | 1947 |
| 3 | Camp Nou | Barcelona, Spain | Barcelona | 99,354 | 1957 |
| 4 | San Siro | Milan, Italy | A.C Milan, Inter Milan | 80,018 | 1926 |
| 5 | Old Trafford | Manchester, England | Manchester United | 74,310 | 1910 |
| 6 | Allianz Arena | Munich, England | Bayern Munich, Germany National Team | 75,024 | 2005 |
| 7 | Anfield | Liverpool, England | Liverpool | 53,394 | 1884 |
| 8 | La Bombonera | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Boca Juniors | 54,000 | 1940 |
| 9 | Maracanã | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Flamengo, Fluminense | 78,838 | 1950 |
| 10 | Cairo International Stadium | Cairo, Egypt | Al Ahly | 75,000 | 1960 |
10 Best Football Stadiums in the World
Here are the ten most iconic stadiums in the world of football today:
1st – Wembley
- Location: London, England
- Tenants: English national football team
- Capacity: 90,000
- Year Opened: 2007
Located in the heart and home of football, Wembley is one of the most iconic stadiums in the footballing world. The stadium was opened to the public in 2007 after the demolition of the previous 101-year-old Wembley, and at 90,000 capacity, it’s currently the largest football stadium in England and the second largest in Europe.
Wembley is primarily home to the English male and female national teams but also hosts other major English competitions like the finals of the FA Cup, Carabao or League Cup, FA Trophy, FA Community Shield, and FA Vase. It also hosts playoffs for the various English Football Leagues and National Leagues.
The London-based stadium is widely regarded as one of the best soccer stadiums in the world and has played host to some iconic games like the 2011 Champions League final and the UEFA Euro 2020 final that saw England miss out on penalties to Italy. Wembley will also host the 2024 UEFA Champions League final, its third time and first in over a decade. With many other prestigious events lined up, there’s no doubt that it’s the best stadium in England.
2nd – Santiago Bernabeu
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Tenants: Real Madrid
- Capacity: 81,044
- Year Opened: 1947
For many decades, Real Madrid has maintained its reputation as one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world. They are the most successful European team in the world and easily the most popular in football. Amongst the many things that have contributed to their success, the Santiago Bernabeu is one of them.
Named after the club’s legendary player and president, Santiago Bernabeu Yeste, the stadium was opened in 1947 and became a symbol of the club’s identity in the post-war era. Over the years, it has witnessed so many iconic moments like the 1960 European Cup final that saw Ferenc Puskas and Alfredo Di Stefano score a combined seven goals to brush Frankfurt aside, the memorable Diego Maradona’s Hand of God goal in the 1986 World Cup final, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick against rivals Atletico Madrid that secured Madrid a place and win in the final. The stadium has also been home to some of the world’s greatest football stars, like Ferenc Puskas, Alfredo Di Stefano, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, and Zinedine Zidane.
3rd – Camp Nou
- Location: Barcelona, Spain
- Tenants: Barcelona
- Capacity: 1957
- Year Opened: 99,354
Camp Nou is one of the best stadiums in the world and one that strikes fear in the heart of any opposition. Home of the legendary FC Barcelona, Camp Nou is the largest football stadium in Europe and one of the highest-capacity football stadiums in the world. It was opened in 1956 and has witnessed so many iconic moments in the course of its 67-year-old history. The 1990s era saw Camp Nou host one of the greatest football teams in history; the Dream Team featured all-time greats like midfield maestro Pep Guardiola, deadly striker Romario, Dutch legend Ronald Koeman, and the highly gifted playmaker Micheal Laudrup. This team went on to win four consecutive La Liga titles and the European Cup in 1992.
The Camp Nou has also seen several amazing moments that have cemented its status as a fortress. One of them is the unforgettable 2016 UEFA Champions League round of 16 comeback against PSG, where Barcelona overcame a 4-0 first-leg deficit to win 6-1 in a game that’s now been called the La Remontada. Legends to have graced the stadium include Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, and Romario.
4th – San Siro
- Location: Milan, Italy
- Tenants: A.C. Milan and Inter Milan
- Capacity: 75,817
- Year Opened: 1926
Only a few stadiums in world football can boast of San Siro’s rich history. Home to two of football’s most successful clubs (AC Milan and Inter Milan), the San Siro was opened in 1926 and was initially only used by A.C. Milan but was later opened for clubs in the Municipality of Milan in 1935. The San Siro was renamed the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in 1980 in honor of the legendary Italian striker that won two World Cups and multiple domestic club titles playing for both clubs.
The San Siro has hosted some memorable football matches over the course of its history, including the opening ceremony and game of the 1990 World Cup and the 2001 and 2016 Champions League finals. It has also been home to legends like Franco Baresi, Thiago Silva, Paolo Maldini, and Giuseppe Meazza.
5th – Old Trafford
- Location: Manchester, England
- Tenants: Manchester United
- Capacity: 74,310
- Year Opened: 1910
Old Trafford might have deteriorated in terms of quality and maintenance in recent years, but there’s simply no denying the rich history the stadium holds. It’s the second largest football stadium in the UK behind only Wembley and is home to the most prestigious team in England, Manchester United.
The stadium has seen so many wonderful eras, like Sir Matt Busby’s era, which saw the team win multiple league titles and a European Cup. Sir Alex Ferguson’s era also came with a massive wave of success that led to Manchester United being known as the most dominant club in English football. Nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams, the 74,310-capacity stadium has witnessed iconic moments like the 1999 Treble and Rooney’s bicycle kick that helped Manchester United claim the 2011 Premier League title.
6th – Allianz Arena
- Location: Munich, Germany
- Tenants: Bayern Munich, German National Football Team
- Capacity: 75,024
- Year Opened: 2005
The Allianz Arena might not be as old as the other stadiums on our list, but it has established itself as a staple of modern football thanks to the stars and moments it has hosted. Home to German giants Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena is the second biggest stadium in the country, and its color-changing TFE exterior plastic panels make it one of the most breathtaking stadiums in the world.
The stadium has witnessed Bayern Munich win ten consecutive Bundesliga titles and in 2012 saw English side Chelsea defeat host Bayern Munich to win their first-ever European title.
7th – Anfield
- Location: Liverpool, England
- Tenants: Liverpool
- Capacity: 53,395
- Year Opened: 1884
A trip to Anfield is one that is dreaded by almost every football team and match-going fan. Widely regarded as one of the most intimidating stadiums in world football, Anfield has had its fair share of glory over the past decades. Despite not being one of the biggest stadiums in terms of capacity, it’s blessed by fans that create an almost unbearable atmosphere for rivals.
It has seen some beautiful moments like the iconic 4-0 comeback against Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semi-final and some not-so-beautiful ones like the ‘Steven Gerrard’s slip’ and Demba Ba goal that cost Liverpool the 2014 Premier League title.
8th – La Bombonera
- Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Tenants: Boca Juniors
- Capacity: 54,000
- Year Opened: 1940
The Estadio Alberto J. Armando is the home to one of Argentina’s biggest clubs, Boca Juniors. A club with a fan base that numbers in millions and a history that spans decades. The stadium is nicknamed the La Bombonera due to its odd shape. One of its four stands is flat, while the other three are deep and steep.
Bombonera means a chocolate box and fully describes the stadium architecture. The stadium is known for its electric atmosphere, especially in rivalry games with River Plate. It was also the stadium where football legend Diego Maradona made his professional debut and scored his first career goal. Other legends to have played in the stadium include Carlos Tevez, Roberto Mouzo, Juan Roman Riquelme, and Martin Palermo.
9th РMaracaṇ
- Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Tenants: Flamengo, Fluminense
- Capacity: 78,838
- Year Opened: 1950
Brazil has been applauded by the footballing community for its dedication to the sport and the fact that it has produced some of the sport’s most loved talents in the likes of Pele, Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, and Neymar, so it’s no surprise that a stadium that has hosted these talents and dozens more makes our list today.
The Maracanã is the biggest stadium in the country and third in the continent. It hosted the final of the 1959 World Cup, a game that left over 200,000 people in shock as Uruguay defeated Brazil to win their second title, and also hosted the 2014 World Cup final, where Germany defeated Argentina by a single goal. Pele scored his 1000th career goal at the Maracanã, and Neymar scored his famous 2014 hat-trick over Japan at the stadium too. Other talents to have graced the stadium include Romario, Ronaldinho, and Garrincha.
10th – Cairo International Stadium
- Location: Cairo, Egypt
- Tenants: Al Ahly
- Capacity: 75,000
- Year Opened: 1960
Home to the most successful football club in Africa and one of the best in the world Al Ahly, the Cairo International Stadium is no doubt one of the continent’s standout footballing venues. Opened in 1960, the stadium can hold 75,000 people and has hosted prestigious events like the 1986 Africa Cup of Nations final and the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations, which Egypt went on to win.
Due to Al Ahly’s footballing success, the Cairo International Stadium has built a reputation as the best football stadium in Africa. Al Ahly is one of the most successful football teams in Africa and can be a great choice to wager on as a sports bettor. To bet on the team from Tanzania, visit Parimatch. We offer the best odds, betting markets, and bonuses for players. There is also a dedicated mobile app and a chance for punters to engage in live football betting.
Summary
So there you have it, the ten most iconic stadiums in the world of football today. These stadiums were selected based on their history and influence in the footballing world and showed just how significant a stadium can be to a country or club’s success.
As a Tanzanian football fan, you too can be a part of this success, and even better, you don’t need to visit your favorite stadium to experience it! You can show your support from the comfort of your home and still get rewarded by signing up with a bookmaker and placing your bets. To get started, visit Parimatch today to sign up and access the best odds and best betting options for the best football players, teams, and leagues globally. Visit our site to register now!
FAQ
Which football stadium is the biggest?
With a seating capacity of 114,000, the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is the biggest football stadium in the world today.
Which football stadium has the largest capacity?
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea has the largest seating capacity for football in the world today but in terms of active stadiums, the Camp Nou with 99,354 takes the top spot.
Which football stadium is the most expensive?
At an estimated cost of $1.57 billion, the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium is the most expensive football stadium in history. Stadiums like the Sofi and Yankee stadium cost more but are not primarily football stadiums.
Which football stadium is the best in the world?
The Santiago Bernabeu, Camp Nou, San Siro, and Wembley are widely regarded as the best stadiums in the world.