This is a 30 best list that brings together my two favorite things, sports and travel. The 30 best stadiums in the world is a perfect topic for me because many of my trips throughout the world have hatched because of sporting events. I want to not only go to all the best stadiums but also experience the big games or matches the way the locals do and feel the energy in the stadium. I want to be there live in the flesh!
I love sports, all sports, even Cricket. Actually, I dislike Cricket a lot but I appreciate going to a game and experiencing what it’s like to be there and see it for myself-especially in India or Sri Lanka, the two places I’ve watched it live.
I’ve been to hundreds of stadiums around the world and that doesn’t even take into account arenas for basketball and hockey; which I could do another list on! Sorry Canada, no hockey arenas in this list.
So the 30 best stadiums in the world takes into account the following criteria:
– It’s based on my own experience
– I have been to each stadium listed
– I take everything into account about the stadium but even more so the experience of the game and fans
– Only outdoor stadiums are counted; although a few have retractable roofs
Here are the 30 best stadiums in the world…what do you think?
30 Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine
29 Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, USA
28 Birds Nest in Beijing, China
27 Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, USA
26 Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy
25 Eden Gardens in Calcutta, India
24 University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, USA
23 Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain
22 Stade de France in Paris, France
21 Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, USA
20 16th Hole Stadium at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
19 Emirates Stadium in London, England
18 River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina
17 Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloose, Alabama, USA
16 Twickenham in Twickenham, England
15 San Siro in Milan, Italy
14 Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico
13 Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland
12 Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany
11 AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, USA
10 Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand
9 Anfield in Liverpool, England
8 AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, USA
7 Centre Court Wimbledon in London, England
6 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea
5 Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia
4 Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA
3 Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain
2 Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, USA
1 Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The 30 Best Stadiums in the World
April 10, 2015 by 18 Comments
I know you’re a Yankee fan but Citi Field is so much better than the new Yankee Stadium.
Unless he is referring to Old Yankee Stadium? If so, then I would agree that it belongs on this list. It was/is still one of the best MLB stadiums of all time. Thank God Wrigley Field and Fenway Park are still around!
Not a huge fan of the new Yankee STadium but the spirit still remains!
Citi Field is essentially an homage the the Brooklyn Dodgers
I’m not a big fun of visiting stadiums, but some of them are really amazing!
yes they are!
Old Trafford!
meh
The funny thing about Maracana Stadium is that alcohol is not normally served here, yet the vibe is far better than any American or Canadian stadium I’ve ever been. Kudos to those who will get to see the 2016 Summer Olympics Ceremonies or Olympic tournament matches here!
It’s like in Spain, they don’t serve alcohol because people are so passionate they might kill each other!
Roll Tide! Glad you recognized Bryant Denny!
One of my favorite places to watch college football for sure
The LA stadiums, Rose Bowl and Coliseum, are fantastic.
allianz of Munich and Camp Nou of Barcelona are the best
Wembley (2nd largest stadium in Europe),
Michigan Stadium (110,000+ capacity)
Soccer City, Johannesburg
Bristol Motor Speedway (160,000 capacity)
Fischt Olympic Stadium, Sochi
Donbass Arena, Donetsk
Disappointed I’ve only been to 4 of these! I would add the Big House in Ann Arbor and Rod Laver Arena.
Would take Fenway over Wrigley even though I’m a sort of Cubs fan – and as a Twins fan, I love Target Field in Minneapolis (definitely not up there with the best in the world, but I’d argue one of the best in the US, if only they had a winning team…).
Thanks for the list! I’ve been to 7 and glad to see I haven’t missed any in the countries I’ve already traveled to. And glad to find someone else who enjoys taking in sports while traveling as much as I do! Cheers!
Borg el Arab Alexandria,Egypt…..during a match between Al Ahly and Zamalek and FNB stadium,Johannesburg during a match between Orlando pirates and Kaizer chiefs