Top Ten Biggest Football Stadiums in the World
The atmosphere generated at a football match is almost entirely down to the fans who attend the game. However, the bigger the stadium, the louder things often get. So, what are the biggest football stadiums in the world? And how many fans do they hold?
10. Cotton Bowl Stadium – 92,100 capacity
You know there are some huge stadiums coming up when number ten on our list still holds more than 92,000 people. The Cotton Bowl Stadium, found in Dallas, Texas, first opened in 1930 but has been expanded a few times since then. In the past, it has been the home of the Dallas Tornados and Dallas Burn (now called FC Dallas), but from the 2024/25 season onwards it is the home of the Dallas Trinity women’s team. It even hosted six games at the 1994 World Cup and was one of the venues used for the USA Men’s National Team until 2004.
9. Rose Bowl Stadium – 92,800 capacity
It may only be ninth on the list now, but the Rose Bowl Stadium was once the largest football stadium in the world. Found in Pasadena, California, it is now home to the UCLA Bruins. The stadium first opened back in 1922 and is currently the 16th largest stadium of any kind in the world. In fact, it is even listed as a National Historic Landmark in America. As the name suggests, it is the famous home of the annual Rose Bowl Game but is best known for hosting college football matches. It even has a 1994 World Cup Final, a 1999 Women’s World Cup Final, and a 1984 Gold Medal match on its resume!
8. New Administrative Capital Stadium – 93,940 capacity
The second largest football stadium in Africa is found in the New Administrative Capital of Egypt. The stadium only opened in 2024, which not only makes it the newest on our list, but also one of the newest stadiums in the world. It hosted its first football match for the Egyptian national team on March 22, 2024 – a 1-0 home win over New Zealand. The New Administrative Capital Stadium is part of the Egypt International Olympic City.
7. FNB Stadium – 94,736 capacity
The largest football stadium in Africa! Found in Johannesburg, South Africa, the FNB Stadium is home to both the South African national team and the most famous South African club, the Kaizer Chiefs. It opened back in 1989, which makes it one of the newest stadiums on our list. It was used as the main football stadium for the incredible 2010 South Africa World Cup, which many consider to be one of the most memorable in modern times. However, the most iconic moment at this stadium comes away from football. It was actually the site of Nelson Mandela’s first speech in Johannesburg after being released from prison in 1990. His public memorial service also took place there in 2013.
6. Estadio Azteca – 95,500 capacity
The sixth biggest football stadium in the world brings us to Mexico City and the Estadio Azteca. Home to the Mexican national team, as well as Club America and Cruz Azul, the Estadio Azteca is an iconic piece of Mexican heritage. It first opened back in 1966 and has been renovated four times since then – but it was actually the largest stadium in the world at one point. Over the years, the ground has hosted two World Cup Finals (the first stadium to ever do so), the 1971 Women’s World Cup, and countless memorable Mexico national matches.
5. Camp Nou – 99,354 capacity
Although it may only be fifth on the official capacity list, many consider the Camp Nou to be the largest ‘proper’ football stadium in the world. This is because it is the home of FC Barcelona and was built with football in mind, instead of as a multi-use venue. Found in the heart of Catalonia, the Nou Camp opened back in 1957 and was once upon a time the biggest stadium in the world. Over the past 70 years, the Camp Nou has hosted numerous El Classicos, Champions League Finals, World Cup matches, and more. Camp Nou literally translates to ‘new field’, the term used to describe it when Barcelona had to move from their old Camp de Les Corts.
4. Melbourne Cricket Ground – 100,024 capacity
The only entrant on our list to come from Oceania, the Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the most famous stadium names in the world. Home to the Australian national cricket team, as well as Melbourne FC, Richmond FC, Collingwood FC, and Hawthorn FC, it certainly gets a lot of use throughout the year. Built all the way back in 1853, it has been renovated numerous times over the years. It is currently the second-largest cricket ground in the world. The Melbourne Cricket Ground has hosted so many iconic events in its time, including the 2015 Cricket World Cup Final.
3. Ohio Stadium – 102,780 capacity
The second largest football stadium in America can be found in Columbus, Ohio. The aptly named Ohio Stadium is the home to the Ohio State Buckeyes. Due to its iconic shape, the ground is often referred to as the ‘Horseshoe’ or ‘The House That Harley Built’. It opened back in 1922 and even served as the home ground for Columbus Crew in the MLS between 1996 and 1998. It has been expanded four times over the years and is estimated to have cost around $24.4 million (adjusted for inflation).
2. Michigan Stadium – 107,601 capacity
As the biggest football stadium in North America, the Michigan Stadium is one of the most famous grounds in the world. Located in Ann Arbor, it currently plays host to the Michigan Wolverines, which is the University of Michigan’s college football team. It also happens to be the third-largest stadium of any kind in the world. The Michigan Stadium was built back in 1927 and has been expanded seven times since then. In 1956, the official capacity of the stadium was increased by just one seat – reserved for then-athletic director Fritz Crisler. Since then, all official capacities at the stadium have ended in a 1. Adjusted for inflation, it cost around $13.4 million to build.
1. Rungrado 1st of May Stadium – 114,000 capacity
That’s right, the biggest stadium used for football in the world is actually in North Korea! The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is used to host Korea DPR national football matches for both the men’s and women’s teams. It is located on Rungra Island in Pyongyang and opened back in 1989. Not only is it the largest football stadium in the world, but it is also the second-largest stadium of any kind (behind the Narendra Modi Stadium which holds 132,000 for cricket in India).
What is the largest Premier League stadium?
Old Trafford is the current largest stadium in the Premier League. Known as the Theatre of Dreams, it is the home to one of the biggest clubs in the world – Manchester United. Old Trafford holds a maximum of 76,000 people. However, that only makes it the 45th-largest football stadium in the world. The biggest stadium in England is actually Wembley Stadium, the home of the England Men’s and Women’s national teams, which holds 90,000 people.
What is the largest football stadium in La Liga?
The Camp Nou is the fifth-largest football stadium in the world, and that also makes it the biggest ground in Spain. However, much like their rivalry on the pitch, Real Madrid push Barcelona all the way when it comes to capacity. The Bernabeu holds an impressive 85,000 people compared to the Camp Nou’s 99,000.
What is the largest football stadium in Serie A?
It will come as little surprise to football fans that the iconic San Siro is the largest stadium in Italy. It’s so big, that it even serves as the home to both AC Milan and Internazionale! The San Siro – officially called the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza – holds just over 80,000 supporters.
What is the largest football stadium in the Bundesliga?
You might assume that Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena is bound to be the biggest stadium in Germany, seeing as Bayern are the biggest team, but you would be wrong. The Allianz actually only holds 75,000 people, making it the 46th-biggest football stadium in the world. The Signal Iduna Park – also known as Westfalenstadion – on the other hand holds over 81,000 people. This means that Borussia Dortmund and the yellow wall have the largest ground in the Bundesliga.
Last updated: 11.12.2024
