In the modern era, football stadiums are built with world-class facilities and designed to fit in as many spectators as possible.
Some stadiums are designed primarily for a single sport, while others can accommodate different events — particularly ones with retractable seating.
Stadiums built specifically for football are common in Europe.
Some stadiums are designed so that all or some spectators stand to view the event, but an “all-seater” stadium has seats for all spectators.
Poor stadium designs have contributed to some of the worst disasters in football history.
Did you know? The oldest stadium in the world is the Stadium at Olympia in Greece, where the ancient Olympic Games were held from 776 BC.
In this post, FootballOrbit presents you with the top 11 biggest football stadiums in the world.
These stadiums are ranked by their seating capacity, that is the maximum number of spectators that the stadium can accommodate in seated areas.
1. Rungrado 1st of May Stadium
Country: North Korea
Capacity: 114,000
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium — occupying an area of 20.7 hectares (51 acres) — on Rungra Island, Pyongyang, North Korea is the biggest football stadium in the world.
It was opened on the 1st of May 1989. The first major event it hosted was the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students.
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is the second largest stadium (not only football) in the world by seating capacity.
The stadium is used by the North Korea national football team.
Apart from football, it also hosts athletics events, and most often the mass games of the Arirang Festival.
2. Melbourne Cricket Ground
Country: Australia
Capacity: 100,024
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) — also known locally as “The G” — is located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
It is home to the Australian national team and some football clubs in the country.
Aside football, the Melbourne Cricket Ground also hosts other sports like Cricket, Tennis, Cycling and Rugby.
It served as the centerpiece stadium of the 1956 Summer Olympics, the 2006 Commonwealth Games and two Cricket World Cups (1992 and 2015).
Furthermore, it will serve as the host for the opening ceremonies of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
3. Spotify Camp Nou
Country: Spain
Capacity: 99,354
Camp Nou has been the home stadium of FC Barcelona since its completion in 1957.
With a seating capacity of 99,354; it is the biggest football stadium in Spain and in Europe.
Camp Nou has hosted various finals: European Cup/Champions League (2), European Cup Winners’ Cup (2), Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (4), UEFA Super Cup (5), Copa del Rey (4), Copa de la Liga (2) and Supercopa de Espana (21).
Furthermore, It hosted 5 matches at the 1982 FIFA World Cup (including the opening game), 2 matches at the 1964 European Nations’ Cup, and the football final of the 1992 Summer Olympics.
In July 2022, it was renamed to Spotify Camp Nou — becoming one of the major stadiums named after sponsors.
4. FNB Stadium
Country: South Africa
Capacity: 94,736
First National Bank (FNB) Stadium — also known as Soccer City or The Calabash — is located in Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africa.
It serves as home stadium to the South African national football team and Kaizer Chiefs — one of the top 10 richest football clubs in Africa.
It also hosts Rugby matches.
FNB Stadium is the biggest stadium in Africa — with a capacity of 94,736.
It was nicknamed “The Calabash” due to its resemblance to the African pot/gourd.
It was the site of Nelson Mandela’s first speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison in 1990.
Moreso, it was the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony and final match.
5. Rose Bowl
Country: USA
Capacity: 92,800
The Rose Bowl — opened in October 1922 — is located in Pasadena, California, USA.
With an all-seated capacity of 92,542; the Rose Bowl is the 11th largest stadium in the United States.
Moreover, it is one of the most famous venues in sporting history.
It is best known in the U.S for its hosting of the Rose Bowl — a postseason college football game.
The stadium hosted several matches at the 1994 FIFA World Cup (including the final). It also hosted some games at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup (including the final) and the 1984 Olympic Gold medal match.
Thus, it the only venue in the world to host the finals of three international soccer’s major championship matches.
The United States Men’s National Team has played 17 games in the Rose Bowl.
Furthermore, it hosted the MLS Cup in 1998 and some group stage matches of the Copa América Centenario in 2016.
6. Wembley Stadium
Country: England
Capacity: 90,000
Wembley Stadium is located in Wembley, London, England. It is the biggest stadium in the UK and the 2nd-largest in Europe.
It was opened in 2007 on the site of the original Wembley Stadium — which was demolished from 2002 to 2003.
The stadium hosts major football matches including home matches of the England national football team and the FA Cup Final.
In addition, it also hosts other major games in English football, including: the season-opening FA Community Shield, the League Cup final, the FA Cup semi-finals, the Football League Trophy, the Football League play-offs, the FA Trophy, the FA Vase and the National League play-offs.
Wembley hosted the 2011 and 2013 UEFA Champions League finals, 8 matches at Euro 2020 (including the final and both of the semi-finals) and hosted the final of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
Furthermore, it will host the 2024 UEFA Champions League final.
It hosted the Gold medal matches at the 2012 Olympic Games football tournament.
The stadium also hosts rugby league’s Challenge Cup final and music concerts.
7. Lusail Iconic Stadium
Country: Qatar
Capacity: 88,966
Lusail Stadium — sometimes referred to as Lusail Iconic Stadium — is a football stadium in Lusail, Qatar.
It was opened on the 22nd of November 2021.
It is the biggest stadium in Qatar and one of the 8 stadiums for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lusail Stadium will host 10 matches during the tournament, including the final.
After the World Cup, it will be reconfigured into a 40,000-seat stadium.
Furthermore, excess seating will be removed and other parts of the building will be repurposed as a community space with shops, cafés, athletic and education facilities, as well as a health clinic.
8. Estadio Azteca
Country: Mexico
Capacity: 87,523
Estadio Azteca is located in Mexico City, Mexico. It is the official home of Club América and Cruz Azul as well as the Mexican national team.
With an official capacity of 87,523; it is the biggest football stadium in Mexico and the whole of Latin America.
Opened in 1966, it is one of the most famous and iconic football stadiums in the world.
Estadio Azteca has hosted several FIFA World Cup matches. It is the first to host two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986).
It also hosted the 1986 quarter-final match between Argentina and England in which Diego Maradona scored both the “Hand of god Goal” and the “Goal of the Century”.
Moreso, is the only stadium in the world where both Pelé (1970) and Diego Maradona (1986) won FIFA World Cups.
Estadio Azteca also hosted the “Game of the Century” where Italy defeated West Germany 4-3 in extra time in the 1970 World Cup semi-final.
The stadium was also the principal venue for the football tournament of the 1968 Summer Olympics and 1971 Women’s World Cup.
Additionally, it is scheduled to host matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
9. Bukit Jalil National Stadium
Country: Malaysia
Capacity: 87,411
The Bukit Jalil National Stadium located in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is an all-seater multi-purpose stadium and the home ground of the Malaysian national football team.
With a capacity of 87,411; it is the biggest stadium in Southeast Asia and the 3rd largest in Asia.
It was opened in June 1998 ahead of the 1998 Commonwealth Games and staged the opening ceremony.
Since then, it has also become the main venue for other international multi-sport events such as the 2001 Southeast Asian Games and the 2017 Southeast Asian Games,
Furthermore, it also hosts the Malaysia FA Cup, Malaysia Cup, athletic events and music concerts.
10. Borg El Arab Stadium
Country: Egypt
Capacity: 86,000
The Borg El Arab Stadium — sometimes referred to as the Egyptian Army Stadium or El Geish Stadium — is located in Alexandria, Egypt.
It is the biggest stadium in Egypt and the second largest in Africa with a capacity of 86,000 — and is an all-seater.
It is the home ground of the Egyptian national team. Some Egyptian clubs also host their home games there.
11. Salt Lake Stadium
Country: India
Capacity: 85,000
The Salt Lake Stadium is located in Bidhannagar, Kolkata, India.
Before its renovation in 2011, it was the largest football stadium in the world — with a seating capacity of 120,000.
It serves as home ground for the Indian national team and multiple Indian football clubs — most notably Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan.
Lastly, it hosted 11 matches at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, including the final.
