Stadiums have always maintained their importance in any sport, football is no different. Both players and authorities of a team always prefer to play games at their home stadiums. The reason behind this is always the support they get from the local people cheering them on in the game. So let’s look at the top 10 football stadiums in Europe.
1. The Wembley
Without shadow of a doubt, the new Wembley is the number one stadium in Europe after its construction was completed in 2007. It has a mammoth capacity of 90,000 seats and it serves as a home ground for England National Team.
Moreover, finals and semi finals of domestic cup competitions like FA Cup are also held in this stadium. The old Wembley had two iconic towers but they have been replaced by a long arch present at top of the stadium in the new one.
2. Olympic Stadium Germany
The Olympic Stadium in Germany has a seating capacity of almost 75,000 people and is being used as a place for national events in Germany. This stadium held the final of Fifa Football World Cup 2006 where Italy ran out to be the winners defeating France on penalty shoot out.
Prior to kick off, Pop Singer, Shakira also performed her single to lighten up the crowd. Her performance before the kick off will always remain fresh in the football world.
3. Anfield
Anfied is the home stadium of Liverpool Football Club. Though its capacity is quite small as compared to other top 10 football stadiums but The KOP END as shown in the picture displaying LFC is alone enough to take this stadium into the list of best stadiums in world football.
The noise level in this stadium is the highest in England as its designed in such a way which keeps the whistling, booing and songs sung in support of their team by the supporters keeps echoing in the stadium. It has a seating capacity of 45,000.
4. Santiago Bernabeu
Santiago Bernabeu is the home stadium of the biggest club in the world football Real Madrid. It has a seating capacity of 85,000. This famous stadium has witnessed great matches of rivalry in the past and has hosted many show piece events like staging the Champions League Final in 2010 where Inter Milan defeated Bayern Munich 2-0 to lift the biggest prize in club football. It has blue colored seats that matches a contrast with the white kits of their team.
5. Old Trafford
Old Trafford is the home of biggest merchandize in world football, Manchester United. It has a seating capacity of 75,000. The famous Stretford End is another famous stand just like The Kop at Anfield holds a big chunk of Manchester United supporters.
There are plans in the pipeline to increase its capacity to 95,000 which will make Old Trafford, the biggest stadium in England. The Seats are all colored with writings in red to match the red and white home jersey of their team.
6. Allianz Arena
The Allianz Arena is the home stadium of German Giants Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munchen. Both Munich football clubs have played their home games at this stadium since its construction in 2005-06.
It’s one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world and the outer wall of the stadium changes its color to Blue and Red simultaneously to support the home colors of the two clubs that share the stadia.
It has a seating capacity of 70,000 and has already hosted the Champions League Final in 2012. Due to its unique nature of its wall changing colors, Allianz Arena looks to have a divine right to be included in the list of top 10 football stadiums.
7. Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium has a seating capacity of about 75,000 people. It is a multipurpose ground that is used simultaneously for Rugby and Football but it is the home ground of national Wales Team due to which it is regarded as one of the finest football stadiums in the world. The unique aspect in this stadium is its roof which can be drafted in to provide shade for the pitch and players in extreme weather conditions. This stadium was one of the venues for London Olympics 2012.
8. San Siro
San Siro is the home stadium of the two biggest clubs in Italian Football, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Built in the historic city of Milan, this stadium has always maintained its importance in world football. Its gigantic pitch and massive stands provide an unique experience to both the players and the fans in the stadium. Both the clubs that share the stadium have massive rivalry that enlightens the stadium on several occasions. It has a capacity of 80,000 people.
9. Camp Nou
Camp Nou is the home stadium of arguably the best club football team in the history Barcelona. The fans who watch their team play at this stadium will never forget the team that played from 2006 onwards as they conquered trophy after trophy to fill their appetite to be claimed as the best team in club football. It has a seating capacity of 100,000 People and the stands are built in a circular shape while the roof is totally open. With such a huge seating capacity, this stadium ranks 4th in the list of biggest football stadiums respectively.
10. Emirates Stadium
Arsenal completed their new home stadium in 2006 and due to sponsorship deal with Fly Emirates, the name of their previous stadium Highbury was replaced by Emirates Stadium. It is the home stadium of Arsenal and has a seating capacity of 60,000 people with further expansion readily possible if needed.
The unique thing in this stadium is its cross ventilation. There are special gaps left on top of the pillars supporting the roof so that the wind can blow in easily.
There are many other great stadiums in world football that could be included in the list but due to their unique nature and characteristics, these are the top 10 football stadiums that could also be included in the list of top 10 football stadiums in the world and not only in Europe.