Large athletic stadiums may become obsolete as stadium design shifts to better accommodate TV and internet viewers and emphasizes the comfort and experience of spectators. But nothing compares to being a member of a sold-out throng of supporters witnessing their teams compete, so live sporting events will always have a place.
Sporting stadiums are changing as a result of the increased popularity of online and televised viewing, with a focus on improving fan comfort and experiences. However, nothing compares to the excitement of being in the middle of a crowded stadium and watching teams compete in front of passionate supporters. Even while stadium architecture changes to meet contemporary needs, the spirit of live sports events never goes out of style, guaranteeing their continued existence in the sports world.
The number of actual seats that fans can purchase at a stadium, excluding press box seats, standing room only zones, and other temporary seating arrangements, is commonly referred to as the stadium’s capacity.
List Of Top 10 Biggest Stadiums In The World
1. Rungrado 1st of May Stadium
Almost 21 hectares are occupied by the enigmatic Rungrado 1st of May stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, which is the largest football stadium in the world. In addition to housing the North Korean national football team, it serves as the venue for numerous other events. Little is known about the actual details of this ground, which opened in 1989. With a capacity of at least 115,000, it boasts an impressive ceiling with 16 concrete arches that resemble a parachute, despite their original design being that of a lotus bloom. There are hints that the number of sympathizers may have been underestimated. The fact that the largest stadium in the world was constructed as a petty retaliation against South Korea, a neighboring country, for building the Seoul Olympic Stadium, is also very amazing. North Korea succeeded in making their statement. It’s unknown how much it cost them. Situated on Rungra Island, the site spans 207,000 square meters and has eight floors. May Day 1989, the day it opened, is the source of its name.
2. Camp Nou
Being home to FC Barcelona, the Camp Nou is one of the biggest stadiums in the world. With a capacity of about 100,000, it is without a doubt the biggest in Spain. This is a noteworthy accomplishment for a stadium with no seats. The field has successfully hosted every imaginable big tournament and game over the years. It has been able to hold events at the Summer Olympics (Barcelona hosted in 1992), the World Cup, the EUROs, and the UEFA Champions League finals. Major repairs are currently underway at the historic site, which has never had a roof and offers a wonderful view over the entire city. FC Barcelona must now play somewhere else. The Camp Nou will have even more space and a roof when the renovations are finished.
3. FNB Stadium
The FNB Stadium, the biggest of its sort in Africa, is mostly used for football and rugby union matches. Given its vastness, it may be a rather daunting site. Although the field has been used for a number of events in the past, it is most remembered for having hosted the Netherlands vs. Spain World Cup 2010 final. In addition to serving as the home field for the domestic team Kaizer Chiefs, the FNB Stadium is also the home field for the South African national team. The stadium holds unique significance as it hosted Nelson Mandela’s final public appearance. The stadium was built in 1987, but for the 2010 World Cup, extensive renovations were carried out, adding executive suites, a new roof, floodlights, and changing rooms, among other new amenities. The FNB Stadium has performed exceptionally well when it comes to hosting African Cup of Nations competitions in addition to the World Cup. Additionally, the FNB Stadium is the most contemporary stadium in this region of the globe. The FNB Stadium, which comes in at number three, is undoubtedly among the greatest, but in our perspective, its size and beauty don’t really make it stand out. The now-famous vuvuzela reverberated around the stadium, creating an amazing atmosphere for games played here during the 2010 World Cup.
4. New Administrative Capital Stadium
The New Administrative Capital Stadium, which goes by an uninspired moniker, is anticipated to take the place of the 75,000-seat Cairo International Stadium as Egypt’s national football stadium. It was created by Italian architects SHESA Architects and MJW Structures. These businesses were also in charge of building Paul Biya Stadium in Cameroon and Juventus Stadium in Turin. The design, which is modeled on the headpiece of the ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti, is magnificent despite the uninspired name. The stadium will be the focal point of a bigger sports complex that also includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool, indoor hallways, and a training area. Egypt hopes to host both the 2036 Olympic Games and the 2030 World Cup, an ambition that it has already accomplished with the development of this ground.
5. Lusail Stadium
The 2022 World Cup host stadium, which is currently the second-largest football stadium in use, will shortly see its capacity lowered from 88,966 to 40,000 as the event is now over. In addition to six group stage matches and a match in each of the Round of 16 quarterfinals and semifinals, the 2022 World Cup final was held at the Lusail Stadium. Numerous media agencies conducted investigations into the ground’s construction, claiming that thousands of migrant workers had perished while building World Cup sites in Qatar.
6. Wembley Stadium
An famous location for English football supporters is Wembley. When the English Football Association chose to replace the first Wembley, which was considered the home of football when it opened in 1923 and was known as the Empire Stadium, with a new stadium, there was a great deal of skepticism. Opening in 2007, this new stadium came at an incredible expense of about £800 million. This corresponds to a sum of £1.3 billion in today’s currency. Even with its exorbitant price tag, the new Wembley lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s best football venues. Under its recognizable arch, which is home to the England national team and all English football domestic championships, high-profile music events take place. With a non-retractable roof, the stadium can accommodate 90,000 people, making it the biggest in its class. In addition, Wembley hosted two UEFA Champions League finals and the UEFA EURO 2020 final, which Italy won over the host nation, England.
7. Estadio Azteca
The Estadio Azteca, the home field of Club America and Cruz Azul, the Mexican national team, is a famous sight in Mexico City. The stadium’s reputation for hosting the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986 is one of the main causes of its rich history. The famous “Hand of God” goal that Diego Maradona scored against England in the 1986 World Cup is another memorable event that took place in this stadium. It’s also commonly accepted that the 1970 match between Italy and West Germany took place at Estadio Azteca. Italy prevailed in this match, which is considered the “Game of the Century,” with a 4-3 result following extra time. Given that it will be the home of the 2026 World Cup, Estadio Azteca can add even more ruffles to its cap. In addition to the World Cup, Estadio Azteca has hosted the Women’s World Cup and the Summer Olympics in the past. Even now, the stadium does not appear old because new amenities like LED panels and recreational areas have been introduced on a regular basis due to renovations. With the addition of executive boxes recently, the capacity has been lowered to 87,000. For all the reasons listed above, this stadium would undoubtedly be at the top of your list if you were considering visiting any in Mexico. The Estadio Azteca isn’t just one of the biggest stadiums on this list; it’s also one of the most iconic because it has played host to numerous important games in the past. It’s somewhat of a holy place for football in Mexico.
8. Bukit Jalil National Stadium
Despite their low standing in the FIFA rankings, the Malaysian national football team has constructed one of the biggest football stadiums in the world. At an estimated cost of RM800 million, the massive Bukit Jalil National Stadium can accommodate around 87,000 people. In Southeast Asia, it is the biggest stadium of its sort. It is therefore not surprising that it has played host to numerous other events in addition to Malaysia’s national team games. The Southeast Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, and other events have all taken place at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. This multisport facility is mostly made of reinforced concrete and has a roof. Even though it is still relatively young, extensive renovations have already been completed, adding much-needed amenities like LED lighting and new facilities. Retractable roofs, retractable seats, and lifestyle amenities are among the other elements that the stadium will soon undergo as part of redevelopment projects. This stadium is quite high, as you can obviously guess from the picture, so when the retractable roof is fully extended, it must be really noisy, colorful, and amazing to play in. Although Malaysia isn’t among the most elite FIFA teams, we would suppose it can be challenging for visiting teams because this is one of the biggest stadiums in the world!
9. Borg El-Arab Stadium
With a capacity that is only slightly less than that of the FNB Stadium, this stadium is the third largest on the African continent. Additionally, the New Administrative Capital Stadium—which hasn’t hosted a game yet—is located behind it. With a capacity of 86,000, the Borg El-Arab Stadium is by far the largest in Egypt until the latter is formally opened. Its numerous air-conditioned sections effectively battle the harsh weather seen in this region of the world, setting it apart from many other stadiums of similar kind. The stadium’s designers have worked extremely hard to ensure that it provides every kind of facility, including two smaller stadiums that can hold up to 2,000 people each. This stadium is known as the home field for the Egypt national football team. It was the venue from which Egypt qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1990, and it recently created history. The Borg El-Arab Stadium has running tracks and other areas for Olympic Games events in addition to a football field. When stars like Mo Salah walk the field to represent the Egyptian national team, you can only image the commotion in this stadium. With over 85,000 supporters, the venue must be exciting when it’s at full capacity, albeit given the heat in this region of the world, we assume the shade-covered seats are like gold dust.
10. Stadium Australia
Built in anticipation of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Stadium Australia is currently known as the Accor Stadium due to sponsorship. With a rugby league doubleheader that drew 104,583 spectators, it opened in March 1999. The stadium’s original layout following the Olympics limited its capacity to 80,000. This facility, which is Australia’s largest “soccer” stadium, serves as the home field for important Socceroos games. Sydney FC has also held a few of games in the stadium, most of them have been exhibition matches against international opponents. The All-Stars of the A-League have followed suit. Five games, including the semifinal and first match of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, were held at Stadium Australia in 2023. In addition to hosting American football, American football league, rugby union, cricket, Australian rules football, motorsports, and music events, the ground is a multi-sport arena. With AC/DC, U2, Bon Jovi, Eminem, Taylor Swift, Guns N’ Roses, Adele, Justin Bieber, the Foo Fighters, Ed Sheeran, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Harry Styles, and The Weekend following, the Bee Gees were the first to play. In 2024, Coldplay is expected to perform here.