If you are a football lover, you would have
argued about the largest football stadiums in the world at some point.
Arguments about the biggest football
stadiums are ubiquitous. Some would say it is San Siro, but unfortunately, San
Siro isn't among the world's top ten largest football stadiums. Keep reading to
find out the largest football stadiums in the world 2022.
Largest Football Stadiums in the World
1. Rungrado 1st of May
Capacity: 114,000
Currently, Rungrado 1st of May stadium is
the largest football stadium in the world. This massive Stadium has a capacity
of 114,000, and it's the main Stadium used to host the Korean National team.
Additionally, on several occasions, the
Stadium has been used to host other sports aside from football since football
is not the only popular sport in the continent.
Since the opening of the Stadium, Rungrado
1st of May Stadium has also utilized a multipurpose venue for
non-sports-related activities.
2. Melbourne Cricket Ground
Capacity: 100,024
Opened in 1853, Melbourne Cricket Ground,
located in Melbourne, Australia, has been a multipurpose stadium used to host a
lo5 of sporting activities.
Initially, the Stadium was built to host
cricket events, but due to its capacity and popularity, it is then used to host
other sports events.
As it is fondly referred to, the MCG has
been a destination for Australian Rules Football matches, Olympic events, World
Cup qualifiers, and other big matches in the Oceanic region. Its first hosting
of a FIFA-recognized match was in 1997 between Austria and Iran.
As one of the largest football stadiums in
the world with a seating capacity of 100,024, the Melbourne Cricket Ground has,
over the years, hosted matches involving big European clubs, including
Manchester United and Juventus.
3. Camp Nou
Capacity: 99,354
Although the Stadium is ranked in the third
position on the list of the largest stadiums in the world, Camp Nou, with an
estimated construction cost of €1.73 billion and a capacity y nearly 100,000,
is Europe's biggest Stadium.
Camp Nou also robs shoulders with Wembley
as one of the best stadiums in the world, featuring some of the biggest
tournaments and games, including World Cup games, Champions League finals,
Summer Olympics, European Nation's Cup, El Classico, and more.
While a lot of money has been put into the
construction project of Camp Nou, making it one of the most expensive stadiums,
the Stadium is still without a roof over most sections.
Additionally, despite having a capacity of
roughly100,000, the Barcelona boards are still not yet done with the expansion
project of Camp Nou. With the latest set to add more seats when it completes in
2024.
4. FNB Stadium
Capacity: 94,736
The First National Bank Stadium, popularly
referred to as FNB Stadium, is an iconic stadium located in South Africa.
FNB Stadium was opened in 1989 with an
estimated construction cost of $440 million and is the host stadium of Kaizer
Chiefs (one of the biggest clubs in the South African Premier Soccer League).
The Stadium is crafted with
state-of-the-art facilities and used by the South African national team. And
most importantly, the Stadium gained international recognition after it hosted
the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosting the finals that year.
5 - Rose Bowl Stadium
Capacity: 92,542
Preferably called the American Football
stadium, the Rose Bowl is undoubtedly the most important ground for soccer in
the United States.
Officially opened in 1922, the Rose Bowl
Stadium has had too many names. First, Tournament of Roses Stadium, then,
Tournament of Roses Bowl, and now the Rose Bowl Stadium since it hosts the Rose
Bowl American Football game every year.
The Rose Bowl Stadium has hosted several
important global matches, including the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals, the 1999
FIFA Women's World Cup, the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal Match, and lots of CONCACAF
and US Soccer Federation matches.
6. Wembley Stadium
Capacity 90,000
While many people think that Wembley tops
the chart of the largest football stadiums in the world, that's not entirely
true. Wembley Stadium is the second largest Stadium in Europe after Camp Nou.
Wembley is the top-rated Stadium in English
Football and is currently the home soil for the English national team.
Although the old Wembley, which was opened
in 1923, is considered one of the oldest soccer grounds, the new Wembley, which
was built on the site of the original Wembley, was opened in 2007.
The 90,000 capacity makes Wembley the sixth
biggest football stadium in the world. Although the Stadium isn't just the home
soil for the English national team, it is known for hosting numerous football
Cup finals, such as the League Cup and Historic FA Cup Finals.
Additionally, the Stadium has hosted
play-off finals, concerts, rugby games, and several other events. It was also
the home stadium for Tottenham Hotspur between 2017 to 2019 while they awaited
the construction of their White Hart Lane stadium.
7. Estadio Azteca
Capacity 87,523
The once crown largest football stadium in
the world, Estadio Azteca, is the biggest Stadium in Mexico and currently sits
at seventh place on the largest football stadium with a capacity of 87,/523.
Estadio Azteca is the home ground to Mexico
club, Club America, and as of 2018, Cruz Azul. The Stadium hosts one NFL game
as a part of their international series every season.
The Stadium is also well-renowned, as it is
the only Stadium to have ever hosted two FIFA World Cup finals. Can you guess
which ones it hosted? For one, it hosted famous Argentina vs. England game in
1986, where Diego Maradona scored his famous 'Hand of God goal" and
"the Goal of the Century.
While the Estadio Azteca stadium has a
capacity of 87,523, its construction cost is $250 million.
8. Bukit Jalil National Stadium
Capacity: 87,411
A few numbers away from Estadio Azteca
stadium, Bukit Jalil National Stadium is Malaysia-based and the 8th biggest
football stadium in the world.
The Bukit Jalil National Stadium was built
to host the 1998 Common Wealth Games and has since hosted numerous soccer
games. Currently, the Stadium is Mexico's national team's home ground and is
the biggest soccer stadium in Southeast Asia.
Officially opened in 1998, The Bukit Jalil National
Stadium construction is estimated to cost RM800 million, which is about $200
million, and has a capacity of 87,411.
Aside from football, the Stadium hosts
numerous other sporting events and concerts, and it has incredible and
picturesque.
9. Borg El Arab Stadium
Capacity: 86,000
Borg El Arab Stadium is the ninth largest
football stadium in the world, located in Alexandria, Egypt.
The Stadium was built by the Egyptian Armed
forces in 2009 and has since ranked the second largest Stadium in Africa,
behind South Africa's FNB Stadium.
Initially, the Stadium was built with the
plan to build 5 stadiums further to bid for the 2010 World Cup to be hosted in
Africa. Unfortunately, Egypt lost the bid to South Africa and stopped the
construction of the other five stadiums.
Borg El Arab Stadium is the home ground of
Egypt's national and club team Al Ittihad, Smouha.
10. Salt Lake Stadium
Capacity: 85,000
At some point, the Salt Lake Stadium
(officially referred to as Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan stadium) was the
largest football stadium in the world. However, a few renovations to improve
the overall quality of the Stadium and seaters reduced its capacity.
The Salt Lake Stadium is located in India
and is the home stadium for India's national team. Additionally, the Stadium
hosts three clubs; ATK Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan.
The Stadium may not be a famous stadium to
the Westerners like Wembley, Camp Nou, etc., but it has hosted the under-17
men's and women's World Cup matches on several occasions. It was also used for
Oliver Khan's farewell match with Bayern Munich.