Passionate about football and architecture, get more! This is the perfect post to celebrate the union between these two themes. That’s because today we’re going to talk about the biggest stadiums in the world.
And without wanting to give spoilers, but to advance the subject a little, some of the names on the list below will simply leave you jaw-dropping, especially since the countries that host the biggest stadiums in the world are not necessarily ball stars.
So, let’s go find out which are the biggest stadiums in the world ?.
15 largest stadiums in the world
First, let’s clarify one important thing: the classification is based on the audience capacity of each stadium, the higher the capacity, the better the stadium in the list.
One more detail: they are not considering closed stadiums, under renovation, or temporary structures. Only fully functioning stadiums.
15th – FedExField – Landover (USA)
At the bottom of the list is the FedEXField stadium, located in Landover, USA. The stadium is dedicated to American football and is also home to the Washington Football Team.
FedEXField’s capacity is 82,000 people.
14th – Croke Park – Dublin (Ireland)
With a capacity of 82,300 people, Croke Park is ranked 14th in the ranking of the largest stadiums in the world.
Kindly known only as Croke by the Irish, the stadium is home to the Gaelic Athletic Association, an organization focused only on Gaelic games that include, among other modalities, Gaelic football and handball.
13th – MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford (USA)
The USA appears on the list again, only this time with the MetLife stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The stadium’s capacity is 82,500 people. MetLife is home to two major football teams: New York Jets and New York Giants.
12th – ANZ Stadium – Sydney (Australia)
The 12th place goes to the multipurpose stadium ANZ Stadium, in Sydney, Australia. The stadium, with a capacity of 82,500 spectators, is also one of the most beautiful in the world, with breathtaking architecture.
The venue is host to football, cricket and rugby championships and disputes. The stadium was opened in 1999 for the Olympic games.
11th – Salt Lake Stadium – Calcutta (India)
And who would say, but India is the 11th largest stadium in the world. Salt Lake, located in Calcutta, has a capacity for 85,000 people. Athletics competitions are held there, as well as football and cricket matches.
10th – Borg el Arab Stadium – Alexandria (Egypt)
Leaving India to reach Egypt now, more specifically in Alexandria, where the Borg el Arab Stadium is located, the 10th largest in the world.
The stadium has a capacity for 86,000 people and is home to the Egyptian football team. The Borg el Arab is the largest stadium in the Arab countries.
09th – Bukit Jalil National Stadium – Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
And the ninth place goes to the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The stadium holds up to 87,400 people. In 2007, the stadium hosted the Asian Cup.
08º – Estadio Azteca – Mexico City (Mexico)
The Azteca stadium gives Mexican brothers the rank of eighth largest stadium in the world. With a capacity of 87,500 people, the stadium has already hosted important matches, especially the 1970 World Cup final and the 1986 one.
7th – Wembley Stadium – London (England)
Wembley Stadium is the seventh largest in the world and the second largest in Europe. The capacity of the London stadium is 90 thousand people. Wembley is one of the few to have FIFA five stars, offered only to stadiums that meet all the standards required by the federation.
The stadium hosts rugby, football and athletics competitions, but it has also played host to major musical shows, such as that of singer Tina Tuner and the band Queen.
06th – Rose Bowl Stadium – Pasadena (USA)
Once again the USA. This time the highlight is the Rose Bowl stadium, located in Pasadena, Los Angeles.
The stadium’s official capacity is 92,000 people. It was there that Brazil beat Italy on penalties during the 1994 world cup.
5th – FNB Stadium – Johannesburg (South Africa)
The African continent is not left out of the list. The FNB Stadium, located in Johannesburg, has an audience capacity of 94,700 people.
During the 2010 world cup, the stadium was the stage for the opening match and the grand final. The place was also known for receiving Nelson Mandela’s first speech after his release from prison in 1990.
4th – Camp Nou – Barcelona (Spain)
The fourth largest stadium in the world is also the largest in Europe. Located in Barcelona, Spain, Camp Nou has a capacity to house up to 99,300 fans.
Opened in 1957, the Camp Nou is home to the Barcelona team. The stadium has played host to important matches, such as the Euro Cup in 1964, the 1982 World Cup and the UEFA Champions League final in 2002.
3rd – Melbourne Cricket Ground – Melbourne (Australia)
In third place comes the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The stadium has a capacity for 100,000 people and is home to the Australian football team.
2nd – Michigan Stadium – Michigan (USA)
Also known as the Big House, Michigan Stadium is the second largest in the world. With a capacity of 107,600 spectators, the stadium is a reference for American football competitions.
1st – May Day Rungrado Stadium – Pyongyang (North Korea)
And the gold medal of that ranking goes to… .North Korea! Yes, you read that right. North Korea, despite being a completely closed country and has no outstanding team in world football, has the largest stadium in the world.
Believe it or not, but the Rungrado Primeiro de Maio Stadium, located in Pyongyang, has a capacity for no more, no less than 150 thousand people.
The architecture is also impressive. The stadium is 60 meters high and is formed by 16 arches that together form a magnolia.
The stadium hosts few events, most of them related to military parades and commemorative dates in the country, as it happened on Kim Jong-il’s 70th birthday. Approximately 50,000 people gathered to celebrate the date and to watch gymnastics and dance performances.
And Brazil?
Brazil, as surreal as it may seem, does not appear on the list of the 15 largest stadiums in the world. Despite the 5 world titles, the country of football only enters the list to occupy the 26th position.
Below is the list of the largest stadiums in Brazil:
10 biggest stadiums in Brazil
10th – José Pinheiro Borda Stadium (RS)
With a capacity for just over 50 thousand people, the José Pinheiro Borda stadium or simply Beira Rio is the headquarters of Internacional. Worldwide, Beira Rio ranks 173rd among the largest stadiums in the world.
09º – Governador Alberto Tavares Silva Stadium (PI)
Albertão, as it is also known, is the ninth largest stadium in Brazil. Located in Piauí, Albertão can receive an audience of up to 53 thousand people. In the world ranking he occupies the 147th position.
08º – João Havelange Stadium (MG)
The eighth largest stadium in Brazil and the 139th in the world is from Minas Gerais. João Havelanche has a total capacity for 53,350 people.
07º – Arena do Grêmio (RS)
With a capacity for just over 55 thousand people, Arena do Grêmio, located in Porto Alegre, occupies 115th place in the world ranking.
06º – José do Rego Maciel Stadium (PE)
Headquarters of Santa Cruz and popularly known as Arrudão, the José do Rego Maciel Stadium can accommodate an audience of up to 60 thousand people. In the world ranking, the stadium is in 85th position.
5th – Governador Magalhães Pinto Stadium (MG)
The title of the sixth largest stadium in Brazil is Mineirão. Located in Belo Horizonte, the stadium has a capacity for 61 thousand people. Worldwide, the stadium is in 73rd place.
4th – Governador Plácido Aderaldo Castelo Stadium (CE)
Castelão in Fortaleza takes the fourth place in this ranking. The stadium has a capacity for up to 64,000 people, making it the 68th largest in the world.
03º – Cicero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium (SP)
The bronze medal goes to the Morumbi Stadium, home to the São Paulo FC team. With a capacity for 72 thousand people, Morumbi reaches the 40th place in the world ranking.
02º – National Stadium of Brasília (DF)
The second largest stadium in Brazil is Mané Garrincha, located in Brasília. The stadium can accommodate up to 73,000 people. In the world ranking he takes the 37th place.
01º – Jornalista Mario Filho Stadium (RJ)
And as expected, the biggest stadium in Brazil is Maracanã. With a capacity to receive up to 79 thousand people, the stadium in Rio is one of the most emblematic in the country and, undoubtedly, a great national pride.
The place was once the site of historic matches, such as the Brazil and Uruguay game, at the end of the 1950 World Cup and the final of the Brazilian championship between Vasco and Santos, in 1969, when Pelé scored his thousandth goal.
