Architecture: Top 10 Soccer Stadiums

Sadly in the United States soccer specific stadiums are quite rare and usually don't seat more than 25,000. The biggest soccer specific stadium is the Stub Hub home of the Los Angeles Galaxy which seats 27,000. Most other soccer specific stadiums average around 20,000. It is also common that many soccer teams, professional or college, use the venue of a football team, which never comes close to filling those stadiums. 

However the average attendance of a European club such as Barcelona FC averages over 70,000 at their home stadium of the Camp Nou. Soccer for Europe and South America is the same as football is to Americans. It should therefore come as no surprise that this post will not include American soccer stadiums. Because it is no secret that the largest and most successful soccer clubs in the world are found in Europe or South America. And it is also quite debatable that the most passionate fans in all sports can be found at these stadiums.

My Top Ten Favorite Soccer Stadiums

10. Wembley Stadium

Location: London, England

Tenants: FA Cup Final, English National Team, Tottenham Hotspurs (temporary)

Year Constructed: 2007

Capacity: 90,000

Architect: Populous Foster and Partners

Nicknames: The Home of Football

Notable Events: FA Cup Finals, 2011 and 2013 UEFA Champion League Finals, 2012 Olympic Games

Significance: It is the largest stadium in the UK and the 2nd largest stadium in Europe behind the Camp Nou. It is a very modern design, built in 2007 it incorporates a unique arch above it's roof which is used as an optional shade from the sun. It was commissioned by the English Football Association to be the home of the FA Cup final as well as the English national football team. It also is temporarily serving as the home ground of Tottenham Hotspurs while the build their new stadium. This modern stadium has become an iconic structure in the booming global city of London. 

9. Signal Iduna Park

Location: Dortmund, Germany

Tenants: Borussia Dortmund

Year Constructed: 1974

Capacity: 81,360

Architect: Planungsgruppe Drahtler 

Nicknames: Westfalenstadion

Notable Events: Hosted matches for the 1974 and 2006 World Cup

Significance: It is the largest stadium in Germany and the seventh largest stadium in Europe. It is most renowned for it's extremely loud atmosphere provided by it's passionate fans. The south end of the stadium is referred to as the Yellow Wall and consists of some of the rowdiest fans in all sports. It's interior has black and yellow seats and it's exterior has large yellow pylons sustaining the rooftop. There is also a museum inside the stadium which commemorates the rich history of Borussia Dortmund. 

8. Stadio Guiseppe Meazza

Location: Milan, Italy

Tenants: AC Milan and Inter Milan

Year Constructed: 1925

Capacity: 80,018

Architect: Alberto Cugini 

Nicknames: San Siro

Notable Events: 1990 World Cup matches; 1965, 1970, 2001, 2016 UEFA Champions league finals

Significance: Built in 1925 it is one of the oldest active stadiums in Europe behind Anfield and Old Trafford. It is also the largest stadiums in Italy and the 7th largest stadium in Europe. The stadium is commonly referred to as the San Siro, yet is named after one of it's greatest early players, Guiseppe Meazza. Its exterior design is a classic architectural wonder with it's spiral concrete towers, and it's iron red rooftop. It is regarded as one of the best environments in soccer, especially for it's in home rivalry of Inter Milan against AC Milan. 

7. Anfield

Location: Liverpool, England

Tenants: Liverpool FC

Year Constructed: 1884

Capacity: 54,074

Significance: It is one of the oldest stadiums in the world still in active use. Anfield was originally built in 1884 as the home of Everton FC for nearly ten years. In 1892 Everton club ownership parted ways with Anfield and moved into Goodison Park. At which point Anfield owner, John Houlding decided to form a new professional club to occupy his stadium, which became the start of Liverpool FC. Thus the club of Liverpool was literally born in the stadium of Anfield and ever since has become one of the most successful and iconic English clubs. It has undergone numerous renovations and expansions, yet still maintains its squared structure. It is home to one of the most loyal fanbases in all soccer, which can be heard in their stadium's anthem, "You'll Never Walk Alone". 

6. Santiago Bernabeau

Location: Madrid, Spain

Tenants: Real Madrid

Year Constructed: 1947

Capacity: 85,454

Architect: Manuel Ronaldo MuMonasterio

Notable Events: 1957, 1969, 1980, 2010 UEFA Champions League Finals; 1964 Euro Cup Final, 1982 World Cup Final

Significance: It is the second largest stadium in Spain, and the 8th largest stadium in Europe. It is home to perhaps one of the most successful clubs in all of Europe if not the sport of soccer. The stadium is named after their legendary star player, Santiago Bernabeau who in the 1940s transformed Real Madrid into a dominant team. The original stadium had a capacity of 100,000 yet was later reduced due to new roof installations. There are continued talks to further renovate the stadium with new roof structure and more modern amenities. It's significance lies with the team itself who has been one of the most winning clubs in all of futbol. 

5. Allianz Arena

Location: Munich, Germany

Tenants: Bayern Munich, TSV 1860 Munich, German National Team

Year Constructed: 2005

Capacity: 75,000

Architect: Herzog & The Meuron

Niuckname: Schlauchboot (Inflatable Boat)

Notable Events: 2006 World Cup Matches, 2012 UEFA Champions League Final

Significance: It is one of the most modern stadiums in Europe, home to one of Germany's most successful clubs, Bayern Munich. The stadium's defining feature is it's luminous exterior which can change to any color, often depending on who is playing. At a capacity of 75,000 it is the 2nd largest stadium in Germany and 12th largest in Europe. The stadium is a giant bowl structure, with an open roof that can be drawn back or forth depending on the sunlight. 

4. Estadio Journalista Maria Filho

Location: Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Tenants: Flamengo, Brazil National Team

Year Constructed: 1950

Capacity: 78,838

Architect: Waldir Ramos

Nicknames: The Maracana

Notable Events: 1950 World Cup Final, 2014 World Cup Final, 2016 Olympic Matches 

Significance: The stadium was commissioned by the Brazilian government after they had won rights to host the 1950 World Cup. It is named after a popular journalist who pushed for an iconic stadium to be built. It was quickly referred to as the Maracana stadium in reference to the nearby Maracana River. Upon it's completion the stadium claimed it could hold a capacity of 200,000 making it the biggest stadium in the world. At the 1950 World Cup Final between Brazil and Uruguay, a record setting 199,854 were in attendance to witness Uruguay win. The stadium underwent significant renovations in 2000, with a new roof and replaced it's grandstand open-seating structure to an all-seated structure. This significantly lowered the capacity to 80,000. However it still remains one of the oldest and most iconic football stadiums in the world. It is the crowned jewel and home of Brazilian soccer glory.   

3. Old Trafford

Location: Manchester, England

Tenants: Manchester United FC

Year Constructed: 1910

Capacity: 75,643

Architect: Archibald Leitch

Nicknames: Theater of Dreams

Notable Events: 1966 World Cup matches, 1996 Euro Cup matches, 2003 UEFA Champions League Final

Significance: It is one of the largest, oldest, and most iconic football stadiums in England and all of Europe. It took on a similar four stand format as it's rival stationed at Anfield, however designed with a much greater capacity of 100,000. During WWII the stadium was damaged during the German blitz, yet later restored to prominence. In the 1980s the capacity was lowered when the stadium changed it's design to incorporate an all-seater. It also later added newer renovations with new tiers. The four stands are known as the Sir Alex Fergusson Stand, the Bobby Charlton stand, the Stretford end, and the scoreboard end. The stadium was nicknamed the Theater of Dreams by their legendary superstar Bobby Charlton. 

2. Estadio Azteca

Location: Mexico City, Mexico

Tenants: Mexican National team, America FC, 

Year Constructed: 1966

Capacity: 87,000

Architect: Pedro Ramirez Vazquez 

Nicknames: El Coloso de Santa Ursula

Notable Events: 1970 World Cup Final, 1886 World Cup Final 

Significance: It is one of the most iconic soccer stadiums in the world and also one of the largest. Upon it's early construction for the 1970 World Cup Final, it could hold over 107,000 fans. The stadium was packed for the historic final between Brazil and Italy which brought Pele his 3rd World Cup. The stadium later hosted several more iconic world cup moments at the 1986 World Cup, which oversaw Maradonna's "Hand of God" goal, his "Goal of the Century". and his World Cup victory for Argentina over Germany. The stadium was gradually renovated over time to include an all seater format as well as new electronic systems. The capacity is now at 87,000 which still remains the biggest stadium in Mexico. It is considered a modern day Colosseum. It is the crowned jewel of international soccer and Mexican pride. 

1. Camp Nou

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Tenants: Barcelona, FC 

Year Constructed: 1957

Capacity: 99,354

Architect: Francesc Mitjans, Josep Soteras

Notable Events: 1982 World Cup matches, 1992 Summer Olympics, 1989 and 1999 UEFA Champions League Final 

Significance: It is the largest stadium in Europe and is home to one of the most successful clubs in the world, Barcelona FC. It opened with a capacity of over 106,000 and held over 120,000 spectators for various games during the 1982 World Cup. It was later renovated to include an all seat structure with new lighting, sound, and electrical systems. With it's red, blue, and yellow seats it creates one of the most exciting atmospheres in all of soccer. The fanbase is extremely devout and have lived by their motto which is imprinted on the seats, "Mas Quen Un Club" which means Barca is more than just a club, it is their life. The greatest matches to be witnessed at the Camp Nou are no doubt against their Spanish rivals, Real Madrid. This annual match has been dubbed "El Classico" and is considered one of the greatest rivalries in all of soccer. The sight of nearly 100,000 fans singing and creating mosaics makes this one of the most awe-inspiring atmospheres. A visit to this stadium should be on every sport fan's bucket list.