10 Biggest Football Stadiums In Europe

Stadiums are the souls of the teams and the ultimate theatres where the drama of sport unfolds. It brings together people from different cultures, religions, and races to watch their team play with the voices of thousands of fans singing in a rhythm creating memories for the fans that last their entire life. 

Europe is home to some of the largest and most breathtaking football stadiums. From innovative features like LED lights and earthquake-resistant roofs, European stadiums provide a unique experience to fans and players thanks to the modern architecture. Let us take a look at the 10 biggest football stadiums in Europe.

10. Alliaz Arena

Allianz Arena is the home of Germany’s most successful club Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munich. Located in Munich, Bavaria, the stadium has a capacity of 75,024 and is famously known for its iconic colour-changing exterior which glows in red for Bayern Munich games, blue for TSV 1860 Munich, and white for German national team matches. 

Allianz Arena was opened on 30 May 2005 with a construction cost of €340 million. The venue hosted many matches in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League final in 2012, and a few matches in the Euro 2024 including a semi-final.

9. Old Trafford

Old Trafford was opened on 19 February 1910 and is the home of one of the most famous football clubs in the world, Manchester United. Known as the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, the venue accommodates 76,000 spectators in four different stands – Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, Stretford End, East Stand, and Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, each having its own history. 

Old Trafford has seen some of the iconic battles in the PL between Manchester United and their rivals like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Recently, the stadium has seen incidents of a roof leak, overflowing toilets, and a rodent infestation and is set to undergo a renovation of £250 million.

8. Atatürk Olympic Stadium

Atatürk Olympic Stadium is located in Istanbul, Turkey, and is the home of Turkey’s National Football Team. The stadium opened in 31 July 2002 with a construction cost of $140 million and accommodates 76,092 fans inside. The stadium famously hosted the UEFA Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool when the Reds came back from 3-0 down at halftime to defeat Milan on penalties after a 3-3 draw.

Atatürk Olympic Stadium also hosted the UEFA Champions League final in 2023 when Manchester City lifted their first Champions League defeating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final. Fatih Karagümrük currently inherits the stadium since their promotion to the Süper Lig in 2020.

7. San Siro

San Siro is located in Milan, Italy, and is a joint home to two of Italy’s historic clubs – AC Milan and Inter Milan. Opened on 19 September 1926, the venue is known by the name of San Siro by Milan fans and the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza by the Inter faithful. During the Derby de Milano, San Siro witnesses one of the most daunting atmospheres in the world of football making it an experience of a lifetime for those in the stands. 

It has a capacity of 80,018 people and has hosted matches at two different World Cups. San Siro also hosted the UEFA Champions League final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid which the latter won on penalties in 2016. There has been news in recent years that the stadium will be knocked down in coming years with both clubs building their own stadiums.

6. Luzhniki Stadium 

Luzhniki Stadium is located in Moscow, Russia, and opened on 31 July 1956. With a capacity of 81,000, the stadium is one of the few in Europe that uses artificial turf. It is the permanent home of the Russian National Football Team and the temporary home of FC Torpedo Moscow. The venue was rebuilt between 2013 and 2017 for the FIFA World Cup 2018 where it hosted many matches including the final between France and Croatia. 

Luzhniki Stadium also hosted the UEFA Champions League final in 2008 where Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties following a 1-1 draw. The stadium also has some rough memories to its name as 66 people died in a stampede attempting to exit the Luzhniki stadium during a UEFA Cup match between Spartak Moscow and HFC Haarlem in 1982.

5. Stade de France

Stade de France is located in Saint Dennis, France, and has a capacity of 81,338 fans. The stadium was primarily built for the final of the FIFA World Cup 1998 and is currently the home of the French National Football Team and the French National Rugby Team. State de France has also hosted the Rugby World Cup final three times making it only the second stadium (the other being Nissan Stadium in Japan) to host the FIFA World Cup final and the Rugby World Cup final. 

Stade France hosted the Euro 2016 final between the hosts France and Portugal which the latter won 1-0 in extra time. It has also hosted the Champions League final thrice with the most recent coming in 2022 between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

4. Signal Iduna Park

Signal Iduna Park is one of the most iconic football stadiums across Europe thanks to its atmosphere on matchdays. Opened on 2 April 1974, the venue is home to Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. It has a capacity of 81,365 fans and has the largest single stand in Europe with a capacity of 24,454 known as the ‘Yellow Wall’. Signal Iduna Park also holds the highest average attendance in European leagues recording 80,588 fans per game in the 2011-12 title-winning season. 

Signal Iduna Park hosted a few matches in the 1974 and 2006 World Cups and also hosted several games at the recently held Euro 2024 including a semi-final. It has hosted a UEFA Cup final in 2001.

3. Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Santiago Bernabeu is the home of Europe’s most successful club, Real Madrid. Established in 1947, the stadium can hold spectators up to 83,168. It is famously known for its steeply inclined stands, allowing the fans a close and clear view of the action on the pitch. Bernabeu has been home to some of the legends of the sport like Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, Zinedine Zidane, and Cristiano Ronaldo making it a castle of football.

Santiago Bernabeu has hosted numerous Champions League finals and is the first stadium in Europe to host the Euro final (1964) and the World Cup final (1982). The stadium recently underwent a renovation of €1 billion and now features a retractable roof, retractable pitch, 360-degree video screens, and much more.

2. Wembley Stadium

Wembley Stadium is located in London, England, and is home to England National Football Team. It is famously known for its 134-metre-high arch which is visible from all viewpoints across London. Known as the “home of football,” Wembley has been the site of countless historic moments in football and creates an atmosphere to cherish when packed with the full attendance of 90,000 spectators. It is known for hosting the semi-finals and final of the FA Cup and the final of the Carabao Cup annually. 

It hosted the UEFA Champions League final thrice in 2011, 2013 and 2024. The retractable roof and advanced sound system enhance the fan experience making Wembley a world-class venue for sports as well as entertainment.

1. Camp Nou

Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona, is the largest stadium in Europe with a capacity of 99,354. The stadium was originally called Estadi del FC Barcelona but was renamed Camp Nou in 1957. The venue has played host to some of the most historical football matches including two UEFA Champions League Finals. With Spain set to be one of the hosts for the FIFA World Cup 2030, Camp Nou is considered an early favorite to host the final.

It is undergoing renovation currently and is expected to hold over 100,000 spectators when the renovation is complete. Football legends like Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., Johan Cruyff, and Ronaldinho Gaúcho have called Camp Nou their home and have cemented their legacy forever on the Camp Nou pitch.      

Read More: Average Attendances of the Top 5 European Football Leagues