Soccer is one of the most-watched sports in the world today. Since its invention in the 1800s, the various arenas that host soccer games have significantly evolved, increasing capacity and sophistication. Lately, some clubs have been incorporating the best technologies into their stadiums to increase their aesthetics and reduce the cost of maintenance.
This article features a list of some of the most beautiful stadiums in modern soccer. Many of them feature breathtaking architectural designs, while others are simple but classy.
1. Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
The elegant Wanda Metropolitano is home to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. It has been considered a masterpiece among soccer stadiums since its re-opening in 2017.
It was originally built and opened in 1993, before its latest upgrade to house 68,000 spectators in 2017. It features a beautiful roof with an exquisite bowl-shaped interior. The Wanda Metropolitano hosted the UEFA Champions League final in 2019, where Liverpool lifted their sixth trophy in the competition.
2. Atatürk Stadium, Turkey
The famous Atatürk Stadium is named after Turkey’s first president and is one of Europe’s largest multi-purpose stadiums. Its capacity is about 76,000.
The stadium was opened in 2002, supposedly in a bid to enable Istanbul to host the 2008 Olympics. It is home to the Turkish National team.
Atatürk Stadium was designed by Michel Macary and Aymeric Zublena, who also designed the Parc des Princes in Paris. The stadium features a crescent-shaped steel structure in its western stands.
The stadium is best known for hosting the 2005 UEFA Champions League final, where Liverpool staged a miraculous comeback against AC Milan to clinch the title following a penalty shootout.
3. Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona’s famous Camp Nou is the largest soccer stadium in Europe, seating about 99,000 spectators at once. It is also one of the few stadiums globally that meet UEFA’s Category 4 classification of stadiums because of its numerous facilities and capacity.
The club opened Camp Nou in 1957 to replace the old 48,000 capacity arena. It was officially called Estadi del FC Barcelona, but fans adopted Camp Nou, meaning ‘new grounds.’ By 2000, the club accepted it to be the formal name for the grounds.
While it might not feature much unique architecture, its sheer size and capacity, coupled with the decorations and passion felt in the stadium, put it on the list of the most beautiful stadiums in the world. It also features a museum, which is open on non-match days, to allow people to view the club’s storied history.
4. Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom
The Wembley Stadium in London is one of the largest soccer stadiums in Europe, second only to the Camp Nou. It is home to the England National team. It has also hosted some important games, like the 2011 and 2013 Champions League finals, where Barcelona and Bayern Munich lifted the trophies.
Wembley Stadium hosts several other sports like rugby and boxing and concerts. It is one of the category four stadiums in Europe and features an architectural wonder in the form of a metal arch, about 134 meters long. It is the world’s longest unsupported roof structure.
As promised, some of the most beautiful stadiums globally have been listed above, along with their home teams and their most striking features and historical events.