{"id":30676,"date":"2023-02-28T16:29:15","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T15:29:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1778722"},"modified":"2023-03-01T06:57:58","modified_gmt":"2023-03-01T05:57:58","slug":"biggest-football-stadiums-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/biggest-football-stadiums-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Biggest football stadiums in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our comprehensive round-up of the 10 biggest football stadiums in the world in 2023. <\/p>

By Alex Harris\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 28 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Football pitches across the world are subject to pretty strict rules and regulations, but stadiums come in all shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n

Whether they are quaint little grounds steeped in history or ultra-sleek modern behemoths boasting all the latest gizmos and gadgets, there\u2019s plenty of variety on offer.<\/p>\n

Some of the biggest clubs in the game play their matches in front of massive crowds but success on the pitch is not necessarily reflected by the official capacity of their home stadium.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve drawn up a list of the biggest football stadiums in the world but binned off arenas that are solely or mostly used by national teams, as club football is better than that international nonsense.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll probably be a little shocked to find some famous grounds missing from this list with the likes of Old Trafford, the Emirates Stadium and Celtic Park all falling short in capacity.<\/p>\n

RadioTimes.com<\/a> brings you our definitive list of the 10 biggest football stadiums in the world in 2023.<\/p>

10) Maracan\u00e3 Stadium (Flamengo and Fluminense \u2013 78,838)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Maracana Stadium<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

One of the most historic venues in world football, the 78,838-capacity stadium is home to a couple of Brazil\u2019s biggest club sides \u2013 Flamengo and Fluminense.<\/p>\n

It was built in Rio de Janeiro for the 1950 World Cup and staged seven matches including the final, as Uruguay beat the hosts in front of a record attendance of 199,854.<\/p>\n

The Maracan\u00e3 has been rebuilt numerous times over the years and hosted the 2014 World Cup final as well as the 2019 Copa America showpiece when the Sele\u00e7\u00e3o got the better of Peru.<\/p>\n

9) Stade des Martyrs (AS Vita Club \u2013 80,000)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Stade des Martyrs<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The second-most successful club in the Democratic Republic of the Congo play their home games in the country\u2019s biggest stadium.<\/p>\n

The Stade des Martyrs, located in the town of Lingwala in Kinshasa, also stages the national team\u2019s fixtures.<\/p>\n

Built at a cost of $38,000,000 when it was opened in 1994, it has an official capacity of 80,000 but can be extended to 100,000.<\/p>\n

8) San Siro (AC Milan and Inter Milan \u2013 80,018)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
San Siro<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The largest stadium in Italy is the historic home of Milan rivals AC and Inter.<\/p>\n

Boasting a maximum capacity of 80,018, the San Siro has hosted World Cup games, massive rock concerts and four European Cup finals.<\/p>\n

It is due to host the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony before being demolished and replaced by a brand spanking new arena.<\/p>\n

7) Estadio Monumental (Club Universitario de Deportes \u2013 80,093)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Estadio Monumental<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A ground you\u2019ve probably never heard, owned by a club you probably haven\u2019t heard of.<\/p>\n

The Estadio Monumental, built in 2000, can be found in Lima, Peru and is the largest stadium by seating capacity on the South American continent as it can welcome a maximum of 80,093 through the doors.<\/p>\n

It successfully staged the 2019 Copa Libertadores final when Flamengo beat River Plate.<\/p>\n

6) Shah Alam Stadium (Selangor FC \u2013 80,372)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Shah Alam Stadium<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The theme of huge stadiums housing teams you\u2019ve never heard of continues as Malaysian outfit Selangor FC play their games at the Shah Alam Stadium.<\/p>\n

The 80,372-capacity ground was declared to be in a state of disrepair in 2020 and costly renovations have taken place.<\/p>\n

Opened in 1994, architects were inspired by Hajduk Split\u2019s home stadium in Croatia when it came to building the Shah Alam Stadium.<\/p>\n

5) Santiago Bernab\u00e9u (Real Madrid \u2013 81,044)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Santiago Bernabeu<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Real Madrid\u2019s stadium is the second largest in Spain but it has been undergoing a facelift since 2019 as the club bids to bring their home into the 21st century.<\/p>\n

The makeover was initially estimated to cost \u20ac570 million and it is unlikely to be completed before the start of the 2023\/24 season due to delays including the coronavirus pandemic and war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n

When the work is completed, the Bernabeu is set to boast a capacity in excess of 85,000, an increase on the current 81,044, as well as a retractable pitch and roof.<\/p>\n

4) Signal Iduna Park (Borussia Dortmund \u2013 81,365)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Signal Iduna Park<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The home of Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, also known as the Westfalenstadion for those who hate sponsorship titles, boasts an official capacity of 81,365 for domestic matches.<\/p>\n

The intimidating \u2018Yellow Wall\u2019, which can hold 25,000 people, is the largest free-standing grandstand in Europe and is home to the most vocal Dortmund supporters.<\/p>\n

It was officially opened in 1974 and has undergone various renovations over the years, with the most recent makeover being completed at a cost of \u20ac200 million in 2006 ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n

3) Estadio Azteca (Club America and Cruz Azul \u2013 87,523)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Estadio Azteca<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

One of the most iconic stadiums on the list, the Estadio Azteca is set to become the only venue to host three editions of the World Cup when Mexico co-host the tournament with the USA and Canada in 2026.<\/p>\n

It has been the backdrop for some iconic moments including Brazil\u2019s 4-1 demolition of Italy in the 1970 World Cup final and Diego Maradona\u2019s \u2018Hand of God\u2019 goal when Argentina beat England at the 1986 World Cup.<\/p>\n

Mexican top-flight teams Club America and Cruz Azul share the ground for their home games and the capacity was reduced to 87,523 after a revamp in 2016.<\/p>\n

2) FNB Stadium (Kaizer Chiefs \u2013 94,736)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
FNB Stadium<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

You probably remember this stadium from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as it was the setting for Siphiwe Tshabalala\u2019s stunning goal in the opening game and the final as Spain beat the Netherlands.<\/p>\n

It was opened in 1989 and staged Nelson Mandela\u2019s speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison before being renovated in 2009.<\/p>\n

Kaizer Chiefs, the South African football team not the English indie band, play their games at the 94,736-capacity stadium but struggle to sell it out apart from the Soweto Derby with Orlando Pirates.<\/p>\n

1) Camp Nou (Barcelona \u2013 99,354)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Camp Nou<\/span><\/figcaption> Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Barcelona\u2019s ground can seat an incredible 99,354 people, making it the biggest club football stadium on the planet.<\/p>\n

The 65-year-old arena is undergoing a major redevelopment that will force Barca to leave their historic home for at least the 2023\/24 campaign, however.<\/p>\n

Spotify boast the current sponsorship rights to the stadium, which hosted five games at the 1982 World Cup as well as the 1999 Champions League final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for something else to watch, check out our\u00a0TV Guide<\/a> or\u00a0Streaming Guide<\/b><\/a>, or visit our Sport<\/a> hub for all the latest news.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only \u00a31 with delivery to your home \u2013 <\/strong>subscribe now<\/strong><\/a>. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to <\/strong>The Radio Times Podcast<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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