The ten largest football stadiums in the world.
After we were spoiled for such great stadiums at the World Cup this summer, we’ve decided to go further afield to check out which stadiums top the charts when it comes to capacity. Below are the top ten biggest football stadiums in the world.
10. ANZ Stadium – Sydney, Australia
Used by: Australian national team
Capacity: 84,306
This giant stadium cost a whopping $690,00,000 to complete and was opened in 1999 just in time for the 2000 Olympic games. Now the home of the Australian national side, and is the main stadium in the city, dwarfing Syndey FC’s Alianz Arena across town.
9. Borg El Arab Stadium – Alexandria, Egypt
Used by: Egyptian national team
Capacity: 86,000
The second biggest stadium in Africa houses the Egyptian national team. The ground was completed in 2006 with the intention of helping the country make it to the 2010 World cup. However, that quest failed and the country still wait to make another appearance on the world stage. The entire stadium was built by the Egyptian Armed Forces Corp of Engineers.
8. Gelora Bung Karno Stadium – Jakarta, Indonesia
Used by: Indonesian National team, Persija Jakarta
Capacity: 88,306
The first ground in this list to house a club as well as a national side. The huge structure is home to the Indonesian Super League champions Persija Jakarta. The ground took only two years to build and was funded by a Soviet loan and was originally billed with a 120,000 capacity, but had to be scaled down.
7. Wembley Stadium – London, England
Used by: England national team
Capacity: 90,000
The new Wembley replaced the Twin Towers, which was demolished in 1999, and is quite possibly still one of the most recognisable names in world football. The ground cost a reported £1 billion to build and holds the FA Cup and League cup finals amongst others.
6. Soccer City Stadium – Johannesburg, South Africa
Used by: Kaizer Chiefs
Capacity: 94,736
Built especially for the 2010 World Cup, the Soccer City stadium is the largest stadium in Africa and boasts an impressive capacity of 94,736. However, since its opening it has never been sold out, with the closest it’s come being just 85,000.
5. Nou Camp – Barcelona, Spain
Used by: Barcelona
Capacity: 99,354
Increased for the World Cup held in Spain in 1982, the stadium once held 115,000. It’s since been downgraded, however, there is a renovation in the works for 2017 and will see the ground boosted to 105,000. The renovations will likely take three years to complete.
4. Bukit Jalil National Stadium – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Used by: Malaysia national team
Capacity: 100,200
The Malaysian national stadium was built in time for the Commonwealth games held back in 1998, and is now mainly used by their national football team. However, several British sides, including Chelsea and Manchester United are frequent visitors to the stadium on their visits to south east Asia.
3. Estadio Azteca – Mexico CIty, Mexico
Used by: Club America
Capacity: 105,064
The largest stadium in Mexico, and the third largest in North America, The Azteca is home to the Mexican National side and has been home to some of the World Cup’s greatest moments from the country’s two times hosting the event in 1970 and 1986. Now more frequently used by Mexico’s Club America.
2. Salt Lake Stadium Bidhannagar – Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Used by: Indian National Team
Capacity: 120,000
Used by four teams in three leagues, it’s not surprising that the ground is so big. Completed in 1984, it has held a whole host of domestic and international tournaments ever since and now more frequently houses the Indian national side.
1. Rungrado 1st of May Stadium – Pyongyang, North Korea
Capacity: 150,000
Names after the day it was completed, it sometimes houses North Korean national team games, but sadly has the weird distinction of being not only the biggest stadium in the world, but also the least used.