Football stadiums are special places...
So special in fact that we decided to waste an inordinate amount of time researching the game’s very best to bring you a list of the finest arenas in the world.
Some of these make the cut on architectural merit, some for the ferocious atmospheres they generate, some for the history woven into their fabric, and some because, well, we just really like them. (Only existing grounds were considered, by the way – before you lambast us for not including Highbury or The Boleyn.)
From the cauldron of La Bombonera to the space-age wizardry of the Bernabéu 2.0, we reckon we’ve pulled together the ultimate footballing bucket list.
50: Central Coast Stadium, New South Wales, Australia
Home to: Central Coast Mariners
OK, technically this wasn't built for football. Constructed in 1999, the stadium was originally designed to be the home of the North Sydney Bears rugby league club. In 2002, the Bears folded, meaning the Central Coast Stadium was without a tenant. Three years later, the Central Coast Mariners were formed and they have been at the ground ever since. The architecture is nice enough - but it is the views of Brisbane Water and its surrounds that makes this place special.
49: Stadion Gospin Dolac, Croatia
Home to: NK Imotski
Built into the rocks next to Lake Modro (Blue Lake), Stadion Gospin Dolac is a charming little ground. Located in Zvonimir Boban’s hometown of Imotski, the stadium was built in 1989 and can hold around 4,000 fans. Local club NK Imotski play their home games here. Regularly touted as one of the world's most beautiful stadiums, it is well worth a visit if you are holidaying in Croatia.
48: 3Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Home to: Hammarby and Djurgarden
The huge iron girders that support the retractable roof crank up the intensity inside this modern 30,000-seat stadium in Sweden's capital. The 3Arena, which opened in 2013, hosts city rivals Hammarby and Djurgarden, with the digital cladding changing colour depending on which club is playing. On derby day, the stadium comes alive, with fireworks and some of the most creative tifos you'll see anywhere.
47: Providence Park, Portland, USA
Home to: Portland Timbers
A proper mad-looking ground, this one. Providence Park is currently the oldest soccer-specific stadium and one of the most historic grounds used by any United States professional soccer team. It has existed in rudimentary form since 1893, and as a complete stadium since 1926. The Timbers moved there in 1975 and they quickly turned it into one of the best State-side matchday experiences. Since joining the MLS in 2011, Portland have sold out every home game, helping Providence Park earn the reputation of one of North American soccer's greatest spectacles.
46: Arena Corinthians, São Paulo, Brazil
Home to: Corinthians
An example of a new ground done right. Arena Corinthians, also known as the Neo Química Arena for sponsorship reasons, was built for the 2014 World Cup, hosting six games including the tournament's opening match. It is the home of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista and can hold around 49,000 fans. You may recall that during the World Cup, temporary stands made from scaffolding (and which looked absolutely terrifying) were built at either end, raising the capacity to just under 70,000. The unusual design, which features large gaps between the terrace and roof at either end, gives the stadium a unique feel - make sure you add it to your bucket list.
45: Svangaskarð, Faroe Islands
Home to: Faroe Islands
This tiny ground is carved into the hill above the town of Toftir. Opened in 1980, it can house 6,000 fans and was the sole home ground of the Faroe Islands national team from 1991 until 1999. A warning: the Faroe Islands lie in a maritime subarctic climate zone with short, mild summers and cool, wet winters - so if you are visiting, wrap up warm.
44: Kenilworth Road, Luton, UK
Home to: Luton Town
I admit it. I've jumped right on the 'isn't shitty little Kenilworth Road great' bandwagon. Had Luton Town not reached the Premier League and entertained the country's finest clubs at their dilapidated 120-year-old home, the chances are 'The Kenny' wouldn't have made this list. But alas, they did and so it is. To be fair to the place, it's a real throwback - a reminder of how life watching football in England used to be (you may recall the riot of 1985 that led to the banning of away fans there). These days it's perhaps most famous for its Oak Road End, accessible through terraced housing.
43: Estadio Guadalajara, Mexico
Home to: Chivas
Sort of looks like a volcano, which is a big plus as far as we are concerned – and the same goes for the grass-covered exterior. The stadium, which opened in 2010, will host four matches at the 2026 World Cup. With a capacity of 48,000, it is home to C.D. Guadalajara - commonly known as Chivas. This place is good for the environment, too - the use of rainwater and energy-saving technology are part of a comprehensive ecological theme.
42: Millerntor-Stadion, Hamburg, Germany
Home to: St Pauli
St Pauli have earned a reputation as the ultimate hipster club in recent years - but the label is unfair. The reality is that their left-leaning supporters are passionately anti-racist, anti-fascist, anti-homophobic and anti-sexist, which has, on occasion, brought them into conflict with neo-Nazis and hooligans at away games. The club opens home matches with Hells Bells by AC/DC and they've also got a cool skull and crossbones logo. Anyway, the ground. With an intimate capacity of around 30,000, the Millerntor-Stadion has got a very English style to it - think Ewood Park on acid. The atmosphere is electric - but it is cranked up to 11 when they entertain city rivals Hamburg.
41: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
Home to: Juventus
It almost seems sacrilege that Juve tore down their former home, the Stadio Delle Alpi, just 19 years after it was opened ahead of Italia '90. It never quite worked as a football stadium though - and it was too big, with the Old Lady rarely selling out. The Delle Alpi's replacement, built on the same footprint, was opened in 2011 and, while more modest in size than its predecessor, is made purely for football. Its unveiling made Juventus the only Serie A club to build and own their stadium.
40: Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa
Home to: Kaizer Chiefs
Soccer City - known officially as First National Bank Stadium - opened in 1989 but was extensively renovated ahead of the 2010 World Cup (during which is hosted the final between Spain and Holland). The refurb included the addition of its distinctive cladding, which is designed to have the appearance of an African pot. The home of Kaizer Chiefs FC in the South African Premier Soccer League, Soccer City is the largest stadium in Africa with a capacity of more than 94,000.
39: Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy
Home to: Fiorentina
Opened in 1931, La Viola's beautiful ground is one of the oldest still in use in Italy. And while the stadium is certainly showing its age, it remains one of Serie A's most exciting matchday experiences. Despite tentative proposals to relocate to a modern (and undoubtedly soulless) new stadium, Fiorentina have instead decided to splurge £85 million on renovating their historic home - and we couldn't be happier. The Artemio Franchi - named after a former president of both the Italian Football Federation and UEFA - is perhaps best known for its tower, which looms over the Tribuna Coperta.
38: Stadion An der Alten Forsterei, Berlin, Germany
Home to: Union Berlin
The name of the ground translates as 'Stadium at the Old Forester's House' which is surely reason enough to include it in this list. It might not be as easy on the eye as some of its peers, but it is a physical representation of the special place a football club can have in the hearts of its supporters. In 2008, Union Berlin began much-needed renovations on the stadium - but a year later, the project had stalled due to problems with contractors. So more than 2,000 Union fans stepped in and contributed almost 140,000 hours of unpaid work to complete the project, meaning Die Eisernen could return to their home.
37: Subaru Park, Philadelphia, USA
Home to: Philadelphia Union
The fact that Philadelphia Union's home is 'soccer-specific' is a great start, and the attractive design is another tick in the 'we like' box. But it is surely the incredible views of the Commodore Barry Bridge on the waterfront along the Delaware River that makes Subaru Park one of the best stadiums on planet football.
36: The Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Home to: Bayern Munich
It's a pain in the arse to get to and lacks the charm of Bayern Munich's former home, but there is something special about a visit to the Allianz Arena, particularly at night when the inflated plastic bubbles that wrap around it are illuminated. Its futuristic look makes it tough to believe the stadium is now 20 years old.
35: Henningsvær Stadion, Norway
Home to: Henningsvær
The smallest 'stadium' on this list, the Henningsvær in Norway has a capacity of around 500 people. It is more than just a football ground, though - the facility is a community hub for the people of Henningsvær, a fishing village in Vågan Municipality in Nordland county. Quite how many stray shots have been lost to the sea remains unknown.
34: Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia
Home to: Club Bolívar, The Strongest and La Paz FC
The Hernando Siles, nestled between apartment blocks in Bolivia's capital, is a cool 12,000 feet above sea level - which, it turns out, offers a nice little advantage for the national team who are used to playing at those airless heights. During the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Bolivia won 14 times at home... and not once away. In 2007, the Estadio Hernando Siles was banned by FIFA for a few weeks, after protests that the high altitude gave Bolivia an unfair advantage against opponents who had only a few days to acclimatise before playing. In 2017, Neymar posted pictures of the Brazilian team wearing oxygen masks before a World Cup qualifier. Home to Club Bolívar, The Strongest and La Paz FC, the stadium opened in 1930 and can hold more than 41,000 people.
33: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como, Italy
Home to: Como
Can anywhere compete with Italy when it comes to jaw-dropping stadium backdrops? Located on the banks of Lake Como, the Giuseppe Sinigaglia represents one of the first examples of rationalist architecture in Italy - a way of designing buildings using logic, reason and simple shapes. While the 110-year-old stadium is showing its age, the good news is Como plan to redevelop, rather than move.
32: Wembley, London, UK
Home to: England
I really, really don't like Wembley Stadium. Despite the giant arch, its design is pretty beige and uninteresting. Oh, it's also a total pain in the arse to get to and the only nearby pubs are terrible (sorry Box Park). And yet it makes this list. Why? Well, despite everything it is still Wembley - the iconic home of football, a place and a name that resonates throughout world soccer. It may lack the charm of its previous iteration (RIP twin towers) but its status as one of the game’s most treasured locations endures.
31: Maracanã, Rio, Brazil
Home to: Fluminense, Flamengo, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama
Let's be honest, the Maracanã is an ugly concrete bowl devoid of charm or architectural flair. However, like Wembley, it is part of the fabric of football, not just in Brazil but across the globe. Officially named 'Journalist Mário Filho Stadium', the ground hosted the 1950 and 2014 World Cup finals, as well as the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympics. More than 200,000 spectators are reported to have been in the stadium to watch Uruguay beat Brazil in the 1950 final (Leeds would have taken more), although its capacity is now 78,838. These days, the stadium is home to the major football clubs in Rio, including Fluminense, Flamengo, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama.
30: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa
Home to: Cape Town City
Built for the 2010 World Cup, the stadium sits between the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain in Cape Town's Green Point suburb. Unsurprisingly given its incredible surroundings, the arena became a focal point for broadcasters during the 2010 tournament - and it's easy to see why. These days, the 60,000-seat stadium is home to Cape Town City, a South African Premiership club formed in 2016.
29: Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Mexico City, Mexico
Home to: UNAM Pumas
One of Latin America's most iconic stadiums, the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, located in Mexico City, is bonafide architectural eye candy. Designed by Augusto Pérez Palacios, Jorge Bravo, and Raúl Salinas Moro, the stadium blends into its surrounding volcanic landscape. Located with the Ciudad Universitaria campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the stadium was built for the 1955 Pan American Games and later served as the main venue for the 1968 Summer Olympics. It was at the stadium during the '68 Games that two black US athletes – Tommie Smith and John Carlos – stood on the podium and each raised a black-gloved hand in silent protest. These days, the ground is home to Liga MX giants UNAM Pumas.
28: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, UK
Home to: Tottenham Hotspur
New grounds are usually totally shit but hear me out. It may lack the character of their old home but Tottenham's new gaff is actually half decent. Firstly, it is located in the footprint of White Hart Lane, which is something to cherish. Second, it looks like a massive spaceship from the future. And third, it has a huge kop at one end, which accommodates 17,500 home supporters. So give me a break, yeah?
27: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy
Home to: Napoli
These days, Napoli's famous old home is showing its age - so much so that it may not be long before Gli Azzurri move to a new stadium. But the Stadio Diego Maradona (Formerly the Stadio San Paolo) retains an aura that will never be replaced. Opened in 1959, the ground was at one time able to host more than 90,000 fans. Capacity is now reduced to 54,000 but it is still one of Serie A's biggest stadia, with only Milan's San Siro, Roma's Stadio Olimpico and Bari's San Nicola able to welcome more supporters. As its name suggests, the arena was lit up by the little Argentine number 10 during the 80s and early 90s.
26: Pancho Arena, Hungary
Home to: Puskas Akademia FC
Major Game of Thrones vibes with this one, the Pancho Arena is surely the most beautiful of all the grounds on this list. Built in 2014 in the small Hungarian village of Felcsútand, the Pancho is named after Ferenc 'Pancho' Puskás and holds just 3,800 people. The wood-lined curved interior spreads like tree branches and is designed to bring fans closer to nature, apparently. The ground was designed by Hungarian organic architecture pioneer Imry Makovecz - and despite his death in 2011, the stadium was delivered exactly as his vision intended by protegee Tamás Dobros. The stadium hosts Hungarian national youth teams, as well as top-flight side Puskas Akademia FC.
25: Estadio Pedro Bidegain, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Home to: San Lorenzo
This one isn't an architectural gem or historical masterpiece - but it is home to the most creative fanbase in Argentina. Escuela de Tablones (School of the Terraces) is the name given to the San Lorenzo supporters, who are famed for creating chants that are quickly adopted by clubs across the world. You've probably heard Man United fans singing their version of the Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Bad Moon Rising’ - well, the first to do it were San Lorenzo. Same goes for Liverpool's Bobby Firmino song. Going to the Pedro Bidegain is more like attending a gig than a football match.
24: Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, Mexico
Home to: Monterrey
The architects behind Estadio BBVA showed total respect to the stadium's surroundings when they devised CF Monterrey's new home. The ground - nicknamed 'El Gigante de Acero' (the Steel Giant) - features a single tier south stand, which affords those sitting opposite extraordinary views of Cerro de la Silla, a 1,820 metre-high rolling mountain range. The stadium, which opened in 2015, will be one of three Mexican arenas to host games in the 2026 World Cup.
23: Estadio do Dragao, Porto, Portugal
Home to: FC Porto
Does this still count as a new ground? Porto's attractive home is now more than 20 years old, having opened in 2003 ahead of the Euros the following summer. A bit like Arena Corinthians, both ends feature an unusual gap between the seating and roof, which certainly adds to the charm. Fun fact: the Dragao was the stadium where a 16-year-old Lionel Messi made his debut for Barcelona in November 2003 in a friendly with Porto to mark the ground's opening.
22: De Kuip, Rotterdam, Holland
Home to: Feyenoord
With its sweeping, angled roof that looks more like Wimbledon's Centre Court than a football stadium, De Kuip is a one-off - and in an era of cookie cutter stadium architecture, that is very much a good thing. De Kuip roughly translates as 'The Tub', and it's easy to see why Feyenoord's famous old ground earned the label. Opened in 1937, De Kuip has led a charmed life in recent years, with the club flirting with the idea of moving to a new home - but those plans remain on ice, with De Club aan de Maas opting to stay put... for now.
21: Pier Luigi Penzo Stadium, Venice, Italy
Home to: Venezia
The fact you can catch a ferry to this place makes its inclusion on this list a no-brainer. Italy's second oldest stadium, located in the shadows of the Chiesa di Sant'Elena church, is just a beautiful place to watch football. Catch it while you can, though - Venezia hope to move to a new stadium in a different part of the city in the coming years.
20: Stade Louis II, Monaco
Home to: AS Monaco
One of the most beautiful, elegant arenas on this list. AS Monaco’s ground can only hold 16,000 fans but it packs tonnes of charm, most notably its distinctive nine arches at the away end. The stadium was built in 1979 and the vast majority of its facilities are located underground, including the Gaston-Médecin multi-sports centre, the Prince Albert II aquatic centre and a large car park directly under the pitch.
19: Mestalla, Valencia, Spain
Home to: Valencia
Were it not for their financial travails, Valencia would have already bid a fond farewell to their old home. Work on the Nou Mestalla started in 2007... and abruptly ended two years later. Now, more than 15 years on, the project has resumed, meaning La Terreta's historic stadium is on borrowed time. Make sure you pay a visit to the Mestalla before the bulldozers move in - it's steep terraces will leave you weak at the knees in more ways than one.
18: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
Home to: Benfica
Voted the most beautiful stadium in Europe in a 2014 online poll by L'Équipe, Benfica's Estádio da Luz is easily recognised by its four steel arches, which, from the inside, give the impression that the roof is floating above the terraces. Built for Euro 2004, the ground is not dissimilar to Arsenal's Emirates - although is easier on the eye. The stadium is more than a footnote in the story of a certain Wayne Rooney, who shone there for England against France in the group stages of the Euros, before fracturing a metatarsal in the same stadium in the quarter-final against Portugal.
17: Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Home to: River Plate
You must have seen the video of River Plate fans belting out Si Senor, their famous anthem about the Copa Libertadores (and an insult aimed at city rivals Boca). El Monumental is South America's biggest stadium and when it's full, it provides one of the game's most electrifying atmospheres. It was the location of the famous ticker tape World Cup final of 1978, when the hosts defeated Holland to win the tournament.
16: Estadio Monumental 'U', Lima, Peru
Home to: Club Universitario de Deportes
This place has got a kind of AI-generated feel to it. The home of Peruvian giants Club Universitario de Deportes, the Estadio Monumental looks, well, different to most football stadiums, with a single bowled terrace and six storeys of executive boxes above (which can house a staggering 20,000 corporate guests). Nestled against a mountain ridge, the ground is the second biggest in South America, housing more than 80,000 fans when full. What a place.
15: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Home to: Atlanta United
While many of the stadia on this list make the cut due to their history and charm, this bad boy is a hulking great chunk of architectural madness and futuristic tech. It's retractable roof features eight translucent, triangular panels which, when opened, create the illusion of a bird's wings extended. Inside, fans can watch one of more than 2,500 flat screens, post selfies on their Insta using one of the 1,800 Wi-Fi hot spots, or gaze up at the 'Halo Board', which can be seen from all parts of the stadium is one of the largest video screens in the world, covering 63,800 square feet.
14: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France
Home to: Marseille
Had we made this list before 2014, it's unlikely that the Stade Vélodrome would have made the cut. So what happened in 2014? The roof. That's what happened. The undulating fibreglass structure elevates this place to god-like status, giving Marseille's home unique character and trapping the intense atmosphere that the club's fans generate.
13: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Holland
Home to: Ajax
Hard to believe that Ajax's home is now nearly 30 years old but time flies when you're having fun. While new stadiums tend to be designed to blend into their surroundings, the John Cruyff Arena unashamedly looms large over its environs, a silver colosseum that dominates the skyline. Opened in 1996, the JCA can hold more than 55,000 fans and boasts a retractable roof. It was one of the stadiums used during UEFA Euro 2000, and also held the 1998 UEFA Champions League Final and 2013 UEFA Europa League Final. The stadium also hosted four Euro 2020 matches.
12: St James' Park, Newcastle, UK
Home to: Newcastle United
After 133 years, Newcastle look set to leave cavernous St James' Park for a new 65,000-seat stadium in nearby Leazes Park. It's a tragedy of course - albeit understandable given the restrictions on developing Newcastle's famous old home, which towers over the city. Its lop-sided appearance is down to the club's reluctance to leave - the Magpies added a sweeping second tier over the Milburn Stand and Leazes End in the late 90s instead of relocating. It means travelling fans must climb 14 flights of stairs to reach the away end. But its asymmetry is part of St James' charm. If you've not experienced the Geordie roar, get yourself down there before the old place is gone for good.
11: Ibrox, Glasgow, UK
Home to: Rangers
Ibrox has undergone a couple of major face lifts over the years, with architects taking inspiration from Borussia Dortmund's Westfalenstadion to create the vision for the stadium's current incarnation. The jewel in the crown is The Bill Struth Main Stand, which was designed by Archibald Leitch and is a Category B listed building. The stand includes a wood-panelled hallway and a marble staircase leading to the boardroom - features that have drawn comparisons with Arsenal's Highbury.
10: Estadio Municipal de Braga, Braga, Portugal
Home to: Braga
The man who designed this bad boy won an actual architectural gong for his efforts - and you can see why. Carved into the side of a hill, Braga's stadium is unlike any other. It cost a fortune - more than 200 million Euros in 2003, largely due to the process of removing thousands of tonnes of rocks. But it was worth every penny, even earning praise from The Financial Times: "There has been nothing in this country to match the architectural delight of Eduardo Souto de Moura’s stadium for Braga in Portugal, a breathtaking arena carved into the side of a rock face on the site of a former quarry."
9: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy
Home to: Sampdoria and Genoa
I have never been to the Luigi Ferraris but it has long been one of my favourite grounds - partly because it is very obviously a thing of beauty but also because it takes me back to Italia 90 and Ireland's heroics against Romania in the round of 16. One of the most un-Italian of Italian stadia, the Marassi, as it is also known, is the oldest still in use in Serie A, although it underwent a complete rebuild ahead of the World Cup in 1990. The four towers in each corner make the Luigi Ferraris instantly recognisable - they were also the inspiration behind the renovation of Preston North End's Deepdale.
8: Westfalenstadion, Dortmund, Germany
Home to: Borussia Dortmund
Obviously Westfalenstadion makes the list because a) the yellow wall, and b) Dortmund are cool. With a capacity of more than 81,000, it remains Germany's biggest ground (and the third largest club stadium in Europe), while the 24,454 capacity Südtribüne (South Bank) is the biggest terrace for standing spectators in European football. You've seen the pictures - it's mental.
7: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
Home to: Real Madrid
Have you seen the retractable pitch at the renovated Bernabeu? Some serious Black Mirror shit going on there. This stadium would of course have made this list before it's €1.7 billion refurb (yes, you read the correctly) but the improvements have transformed the ground into one of the great homes of football. Originally opened in 1947, the stadium is named after footballer and Real Madrid legendary president Santiago Bernabéu and hosted the 1982 World Cup final. It has also hosted the final of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League (four times) and the second leg of the 2018 Copa Libertadores Finals, making it the only stadium to stage the two most important premier continental cup finals.
6: Celtic Park, Scotland, UK
Home to: Celtic
“I’ve been fortunate to play in some great stadiums in Europe with Barcelona but none compare to Celtic.” So said a certain Lionel Messi after the Catalans had lost to the Hoops in 2013 (on one of the most fervent-ever European nights at the famous old ground). Truly one of the cathedrals of football, there are few places to watch the game quite like Celtic Park. The stadium was radically redeveloped in the 1990s - and there could be a further extension to the 60,000 capacity in the coming years.
5: Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Home to: Club América and Cruz Azul
This old place is draped in history: it was the first ground to host two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986) and the scene of Diego Maradona's hand of god goal. It's absolutely massive - with a capacity of 87,000, it is the sixth largest football ground in the world. We went for a Club America Liga MX fixture and it was magnificent - if a little chaotic and rough around the edges. Work is underway to modernise the Azteca ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where it will become the first to host games in three World Cup tournaments.
4. San Siro, Milan, Italy
Home to: Inter and AC Milan
The Giuseppe Meazza, as Inter and Milan's concrete and iron cathedral is officially known, is Italy's biggest stadium, seating more than 80,000 fans. It opened in the 1920s and was extended in 1955 - but it wasn't until the late 1980s, ahead of Italia 90, that the iconic roof was added. Like a number of other stadia on this list, the San Siro is living a charmed life, with both Milanese clubs exploring options to leave their famous home and build new grounds. We pray that never happens because this brutalist monolith is an architectural gem. By the way, Giuseppe Meazza was a two-time World Cup winner who played for Inter and briefly for Milan in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, and served two stints as Inter's manager. So now you know.
3: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Home to: Barcelona
Another that falls into the 'homes of football' category, Camp Nou is nearly as famous as the team who play there. The stadium opened in 1957 and is currently undergoing a massive makeover, which will transform the arena into a futuristic monolith capable of welcoming more than 100,000 fans, making it the largest in Europe. Despite its ongoing renovation, the place drips with history - Camp Nou has hosted two European Cup/Champions League finals, two European Cup Winners' Cup finals, five UEFA Super Cup games, five matches in the 1982 FIFA World Cup (including the opening game), half of the four matches at the 1964 European Nations' Cup, and the football tournament's final at the 1992 Summer Olympics. If you haven't been, what are you playing at?
2: Anfield, Liverpool, UK
Home to: Liverpool
Thank the lord and baby Jesus that Liverpool abandoned their early-noughties plans to leave Anfield for a new stadium, instead opting to refurbish their historic home and, in doing so, cementing its reputation as one of the great cathedrals of football. Does anywhere do a European night under the lights better? The answer of course is nahhhh maaaaaate.
1: La Bombonera, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Home to: Boca Juniors
The ultimate bucket list stadium. If you haven't been to La Bombonera (the chocolate box), do you even like football? Few arenas can match the feral intensity of a charged-up Alberto José Armando Stadium (its official name) - particularly when Boca Juniors' bitter city rivals River Plate are the visitors. There are advanced plans to refurbish the old ground, which is certainly showing its age - but if you haven't experienced it yet, try to do so before modernisation softens its edges.
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