Hands up if you’ve got World Cup fever already!
The England squad flew out to Miami yesterday to continue their preparations for the biggest footy tournament in the world – which has really got us in the mood!
But what are the top football stadiums in the world? Here’s our top 10.
Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Capacity: 78,838
The Maracana in Rio de Janeiro will play host to the 2014 World Cup Final on July 13th. The stadium has a staggering record attendance of around 170,000 (although many more are believed to have been there) for a World Cup match between Brazil and Uruguay in 1950. Spectators here can expect lots of colour, passion and noise!
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Capacity: 98,787
Some of the biggest names in world football have played for Barcelona at the club’s famous Camp Nou. Think Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Johann Cruyff to name a few. The stadium is the largest in Europe and is always a memorable experience whether you’re watching a match or taking a stadium tour.
Stade de France
Capacity: 81,388
Built for the 1998 World Cup in France, the Stade de France is situated to the north of Paris, just a short metro ride from the city centre. The stadium, used by the French national football team and the French national rugby union team, cost approximately €290 million to build, with the roof alone costing €45 million!
Wembley, London
Capacity: 90,000
It may not have the famous Twin Towers anymore, but no list of football stadiums would be complete without featuring these iconic grounds. The huge arch that stretches from one end of the stadium to the other can be seen from miles away.
Allianz Arena, Munich
Capacity: 71,437
Taking a city break in Munich? Then you might want to visit the Allianz Arena in Munich, home to Bayern Munich and the German national team. The stadium opened in 2005 with its most impressive feature being its exterior which lights up in either red or white depending on which team is playing there.
Azteca, Mexico City
Capacity: 105,000
If you’ve booked a holiday to Mexico, the Estadio Azteca is one of the world’s best places to watch the beautiful game. As the sixth largest stadium in the world, fans here are guaranteed an electric atmosphere.
San Siro, Milan
Capacity: 80,000
This legendary stadium is the home of both AC Milan and Inter Milan. It may be quite old (opening in 1926) but the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza – or the San Siro as it’s more commonly known – has lost none of its atmosphere. In fact, some might call it a true classic! Located in the western part of Milan, the longstanding stadium is easy to reach by tram or by underground.
Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
Capacity: 81,044
The second stadium in Spain to make our list is the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. Home to the current Champions League winners Real Madrid, anyone who manages to get a ticket to watch a match here is in for a real treat.
Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam
Capacity: 53,052
Although it’s the smallest stadium on our list, Ajax’s Amsterdam Arena is still the largest in the Netherlands and a great option if you’re travelling to the city for a weekend break. Stadium tours take place here seven times a day, allowing you to get behind the scenes at one of the world’s most famous football clubs.
Estádio da Luz, Lisbon
Capacity: 65,647
Meaning the Stadium of Light (not to be confused with the Sunderland stadium), the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon is the home of Portuguese giants Benfica. If you fancy watching a match here, don’t forget to look out for the huge eagle statue that sits above one of the entrances into the stadium.
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Images: Georgio, Arthur Boppre, Poland MFA, Andre Zehetbauer, Oscar & Radio Nederland Wereldomroep via Flickr.
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