Nine football stadiums to visit before they're gone!

Football stadiums are special places. Not the Madejski or St Mary's, obviously, but the old ones drenched in history and tradition.

However - and here's a fun fact for you - stadiums have a lifespan of around 70 years, which means, like humans, they eventually wither and die.

Which is a tragedy because, well, the Madejski and St Mary's are what replaces them.

Anyway, like kind of stadium-loving Sir David Attenboroughs, we've trawled planet football to spot our favourite at-risk grounds, so you can pay them a visit before they're gone.

 

Fiorentina - Stadio Artemio Franchi

Officially opened in September 1931, time has certainly caught up with The Viola's crumbling home. Plans to relocate to a modern stadium have become entangled in bureaucracy but it seems a matter of when, not if, Fiorentina will leave the Stadio Artemio Franchi - and that's a tragedy because it remains one of Italy's most exciting matchday experiences. Catch it while you can. 

 

Club Brugge - Jan Breydel Stadion

It might not be the prettiest ground on this list but there is something about Club Brugge's ground that makes it special. It's showing its age now though, which is why the club are embarking on a 40,000-seat stadium project.

 

Everton - Goodison

Goodison is on its last legs - it has been for two decades or more in truth - but Everton's famous old ground is still one of the most atmospheric, historic locations to enjoy football. The Blues will leave for a new home - the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium - at the start of the 2024/25 season.

 

Milan and Inter - San Siro

Milan and Inter's beautiful brutalist Giuseppe Meazza is one of the great homes of football. But with the city rivals intent on a move to new modern ground, its days seem numbered. A tragedy.

 

Feyenoord - De Kuip

De Kuip - which translates as The Tub - is one of the strangest looking grounds in Europe. It's angled roof looks more like a tennis arena than a football stadium. But it remains one of Dutch football's most intense atmospheres. Feyenoord have plans to move, although mounting costs recently forced the club to abandon plans for a new 63,000-seater stadium on the banks of the Maas.

 

Valencia - Mestalla

You probably know about the calamitous Nou Mestalla project, which has taken 14 years and counting to construct. But before Los Che move to their new home (whenever the hell that will be), make sure you pay a visit to one of Spain's cathedrals of football. The Mestalla's steep stands will make you go weak at the knees in more ways than one.

 

Roma - Stadio Olimpico

OK, so strictly speaking the Olimpico isn't about to be bulldozed but if you want to see Roma play there you better hurry up. The Giallorossi are likely to move out in the coming years, despite planning issues forcing them to abandon their Stadio della Roma project, as they seek a smaller, purpose-built new home.

 

Luton Town - Kenilworth Road

Truly one of English football's weirdest grounds. One side of Kenilworth Road is occupied only by executive boxes and fans access the Oak Stand through a gap in terraced housing. It's eccentric and weird and lovely... and soon to be replaced. Luton will move to their new ground in 2024.

 

Venezia - Stadio Pierluigi Penzo

Stadio Pierluigi Penzo opened in 1913, which makes it the second oldest home to a professional club in Italy. It holds just 7,500 people and has seen better days - but located right next to one of the city's famous canals, it is truly a special place. The new ground is expected to hold between 18,000 and 25,000 fans, although the project timeline is still to be confirmed.