Sports stadiums are more than just venues; they are the heart and soul of sporting events, uniting fans in their shared passion. So, let’s take a look at the top 10 Largest Sports Stadiums In Europe today.
To truly appreciate these colossal structures, it’s essential to understand what sports stadiums represent. They are more than fields of play; they are communal spaces where triumphs and defeats are etched into history.
The journey from simple arenas to today’s mega-complexes has been a fascinating evolution. Discover how stadiums have transformed over centuries, mirroring societal changes and technological progress.
Stadiums are now architectural wonders, each with a unique design philosophy. Explore the aesthetic brilliance that distinguishes these structures, setting them apart on the global stage.
In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of the top 10 largest sports stadiums in Europe, exploring their historical significance, architectural marvels, technological advancements, and much more.
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Table Summary of the Largest Sports Stadiums In Europe
Here’s a summary table of sports stadiums in Europe, their ranking, capacity, country and the year each of them was built.
| Rank | Stadium | Capacity | City | Country | Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camp Nou | 99,354 (105,000 planned) | Barcelona | Spain | 1957 |
| 2 | Wembley Stadium | 90,000 | London | England | 1923 / 2007 |
| 3 | Croke Park | 82,300 | Dublin | Ireland | 1913 |
| 4 | Twickenham Stadium | 82,000 | London | England | 1909 |
| 5 | Signal Iduna Park | 81,359 | Dortmund | Germany | 1974 |
| 6 | Santiago Bernabéu Stadium | 81,044 | Madrid | Spain | 1947 |
| 7 | Luzhniki Stadium | 81,000 | Moscow | Russia | 1956 |
| 8 | Stade de France | 80,698 | Saint-Denis | France | 1998 |
| 9 | San Siro | 80,000 | Milan | Italy | 1926 |
| 10 | Atatürk Olympic Stadium | 76,761 | Istanbul | Turkey | 2001 |
| 11 | Athens Olympic Stadium | 75,000 | Athens | Greece | 1982 |
| 12 | Allianz Arena | 75,000 | Munich | Germany | 2005 |
| 13 | Old Trafford | 74,994 | Manchester | England | 1910 |
| 14 | Olympiastadion | 74,649 | Berlin | Germany | 1936 |
| 15 | Millennium Stadium | 74,500 | Cardiff | Wales | 1999 |
| 16 | Stadio Olimpico | 70,634 | Rome | Italy | 1930 |
| 17 | NSC Olimpiyskiy | 70,050 | Kiev | Ukraine | 2012 |
| 18 | Olympiastadion | 69,250 | Munich | Germany | 1972 |
| 19 | Baku Olympic Stadium | 68,700 | Baku | Azerbaijan | 2015 |
| 20 | Wanda Metropolitano | 67,703 | Madrid | Spain | 2017 |
| 21 | Stade Vélodrome | 67,394 | Marseille | France | 1937 |
| 22 | Murrayfield Stadium | 67,144 | Edinburgh | Scotland | 1925 |
| 23 | Krestovsky Stadium | 67,000 | Saint Petersburg | Russia | 2017 |
| 24 | Estádio da Luz | 64,642 | Lisbon | Portugal | 2003 |
| 25 | Veltins-Arena | 62,271 | Gelsenkirchen | Germany | 2001 |
| 26 | Estadio Benito Villamarín | 60,720 | Seville | Spain | 1929 |
| 27 | Mercedes-Benz Arena | 60,469 | Stuttgart | Germany | 1933 |
| 28 | Celtic Park | 60,411 | Glasgow | Scotland | 1892 |
| 29 | Stadio San Paolo | 60,240 | Naples | Italy | 1959 |
| 30 | London Stadium | 60,000 | London | England | 2012 |
| 31 | Emirates Stadium | 59,867 | London | England | 2006 |
| 32 | Parc Olympique Lyonnais | 59,186 | Lyon | France | 2016 |
| 33 | PGE Narodowy | 58,580 | Warsaw | Poland | 2011 |
| 34 | Stadio San Nicola | 58,248 | Bari | Italy | 1990 |
| 35 | Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla | 57,619 | Seville | Spain | 1999 |
| 36 | Volksparkstadion | 57,274 | Hamburg | Germany | 1953 |
| 37 | Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys | 56,000 | Barcelona | Spain | 1927 |
| 38 | Arena Naţională | 55,634 | Bucharest | Romania | 2011 |
| 39 | Stadium Rajko Mitić | 55,538 | Belgrade | Serbia | 1963 |
| 40 | Silesian Stadium | 55,211 | Chorzów/Katowice | Poland | 1956 |
| 41 | Etihad Stadium | 55,097 | Manchester | England | 2002 |
| 42 | Estadi de Mestalla | 55,000 | Valencia | Spain | 1923 |
| 43 | Esprit Arena | 54,600 | Düsseldorf | Germany | 2004 |
| 44 | Vicente Calderón Stadium | 54,851 | Madrid | Spain | 1966 |
| 45 | Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena | 54,549 | Tbilisi | Georgia | 1976 |
| 46 | Friends Arena | 54,329 | Stockholm | Sweden | 2012 |
| 47 | Hrazdan Stadium | 54,208 | Yerevan | Armenia | 1971 |
| 48 | Anfield | 54,074 | Liverpool | England | 1884 |
| 49 | Borussia-Park | 54,067 | Mönchengladbach | Germany | 2004 |
| 50 | Johan Cruyff Arena | 54,990 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | 1996 |
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Europeans love sports so much that they live for it. Since the times of the ancient Greeks and Romans, people in Europe have packed large stadiums to attend major sporting events.
In today’s age, Europe’s largest sports stadiums can hold a capacity crowds of up to nearly 100,000 spectators. Most of these sports venues are regularly used for football (soccer), as it is Europe’s most popular sport.
However, some of these venues have also been used for other major sporting events, including the Olympics. So, here are ten (10) of Europe’s largest sports stadiums by capacity.
Top 10 Largest Sports Stadiums In Europe
#1. Camp Nou Stadium
When ranking by capacity, Camp Nou Stadium is Europe’s largest sports stadium located in Barcelona, the capital of the Spanish region of Catalonia.
The venue alone can seat up to 99,354 people. It was first built in 1954 and was opened three years later. Renovations to the stadium took place in 1995 and 2008.
Further renovations were scheduled to be completed in 2022 to increase the capacity of the stadium to 105,000. The Camp Nou Stadium is home to one of Europe’s most popular football teams, FC Barcelona.
Events that have been hosted at the stadium include five matches of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 1992 Summer Olympics, two UEFA Champions League finals, and five UEFA Super Cup finals.
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#2. Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium has a seating capacity of 90,000 and is located in London, England. The current venue is a successor to the original stadium of the same name, which was completely demolished in 2003.
The new stadium was opened in the year 2007 and one distinct feature about it is its roof which is known as the Wembley Archway (It is the world’s longest unsupported roof).
Wembley Stadium regularly hosts the football matches of England’s national football team. It also hosted the UEFA Champions League finals in 2011 and 2013, as well as the gold medal football match of the 2012 Summer Olympics.
#3. Croke Park Stadium
Croke Park Stadium is Europe’s third largest sports stadium and it is located in Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The stadium has a seating capacity of about 82,300, and the venue has hosted sporting events since 1880.
The Irish national football and rugby teams play their home matches in Croke Park.
In 1961, the Croke Park stadium hosted its biggest-ever crowd when 90,556 fans packed the venue to watch the All-Ireland football final.
#4. Twickenham Stadium
The Twickenham Stadium is located in southwest London and is considered the fourth largest sports stadium in Europe, with a capacity of 82,000.
The venue was first opened in 1907; and then between 1990 and 2008, the stadium underwent renovations to add additional seating capacity.
Unlike other stadiums on this list, Twickenham was not designed for football, but for rugby, and it is owned by the Rugby Football Union.
The stadium is also home to the World Rugby Museum and it hosts the games played by England’s national rugby squad.
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#5. Signal Iduna Park Stadium
Signal Iduna Park Stadium is located in Dortmund City, Germany, and it is the biggest stadium in the country and the fifth largest in Europe, with a seating capacity of 81,365.
Like other stadiums on this list, Signal Iduna Park Stadium has hosted several important football matches, including games during the 1974 and 2006 FIFA World Cup, and the 2001 UEFA Cup Final.
The Signal Iduna Park Stadium was nicknamed “The Yellow Wall” by its attendees, the stadium is also home to one of Germany’s foremost football clubs, Borussia Dortmund.
#6. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Located in Madrid, the capital of Spain, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium has a capacity of 81,044, making it the second-largest stadium in Spain and the sixth-largest in Europe.
The venue is the home of one of Europe’s premier football clubs, Real Madrid. It was built in the years 1944-47, and renovated twice in 1982 and 2001.
The stadium has played host to four UEFA Champions League Finals in 1957, 1969, 1980, and 2010. In 1982, it hosted games during the FIFA World Cup.
#7. Luzhniki Stadium
Located in Russia’s capital, Moscow; the Luzhniki Stadium, which was built during the Soviet era in 1956 has a seating capacity of 81,000.
The Stadium was originally named the Central Lenin Stadium, but adopted its current name in 1992, following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
In 1980, the Luzhniki Stadium hosted the Summer Olympics. It also hosted the UEFA Cup final in 1999, and the UEFA Champions League final in 2008. Then, in 2018, the Luzhniki Stadium hosted the FIFA World Cup.
#8. Stade De France Stadium
The Stade de France Stadium has a capacity of 80,698, making it the largest stadium in France and the eighth-largest stadium in Europe. It was built in 1995, but not opened until 1998.
The sports venue is the home of France’s national football and rugby teams. Located just a few kilometers north of Paris, the Stade de France’s first-ever sporting event was the final game of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
#9. San Siro (Giuseppe Meazza Stadium)
Giuseppe Meazza Stadium is located in the city of Milan, Italy; And it is the ninth-largest stadium in Europe. Also, the name San Siro denotes the district of Milan in which it is based.
This stadium is home to two premier Italian football clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Built in 1926, the stadium has a capacity of 80,018.
San Siro hosted football matches as part of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, as well as four UEFA Champions League finals in 1965, 1970, 2001, and 2016.
#10. Ataturk Olympic Stadium
The Ataturk Olympic Stadium is named after the founder of modern Turkey, and the stadium is located in Istanbul; with a seating capacity of 76,092.
Construction on Ataturk Olympic Stadium began in 1999 and ended in 2002. History has it that the stadium was originally built as part of Turkey’s bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, but the bid was rejected in favor of China.
Nevertheless, Ataturk Olympic Stadium has hosted football matches featuring major Turkish football clubs and has also played host to matches played by the country’s national football squad.
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FAQs
What is the best time to visit for a match?
Discover the ideal seasons and times to catch a match at these stadiums, ensuring you witness the magic in full swing.
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Summary
In summary of our journey through the top 10 largest sports stadiums in Europe, we reflect on the iconic structures, historical moments, and the impact these arenas have on the sports landscape. From Camp Nou’s roar to Wembley’s grandeur, these stadiums embody the spirit of European sports.
Stadiums aren’t just centers of entertainment; they’re economic engines for local communities. Hosting international events doesn’t only attract sports enthusiasts but also tourists. So, there you have it, the top 10 largest sports stadiums in Europe.
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