Biggest football stadiums in the world
Our comprehensive round-up of the 10 biggest football stadiums in the world in 2024.
In centuries to come, our descendants will look back at Wembley with the same awe and wonder we hold while traipsing around the Colosseum.
Football stadiums are among the greatest mega constructions projects in the world, with teams beginning to understand the importance of being bigger and better than all the rest.
These modern-day marvels, hewn from concrete, steel and glass, as opposed to stone and slab, host the biggest matches in the global game as well as cultural events, gigs and, if they're lucky, Taylor Swift.
While the dimensions of the pitch is subject to strict rules and regulations, the various arenas and venues comes in different shapes, sizes and styles.
To celebrate the beauty and the behemoths that play host to the beautiful game, we've drawn up a list of the biggest stadiums in the world – and that's not a straightforward task, as you might assume.
We've filtered out bespoke national stadiums and whittled the list down to those grounds which host regular club football on a permanent, weekly basis. Goodbye, Wembley.
Old Trafford has missed the cut by several thousand seats, meaning zero of the top 10 biggest club football stadiums can be found in the UK.
RadioTimes.com brings you our definitive list of the 10 biggest club football stadiums in the world in 2023.
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10. Maracanã Stadium (Flamengo, Vasco da Gama and Fluminense - 78,838)
One of the most historic venues in world football, the 78,838-capacity stadium is home to a couple of Brazil's biggest club sides - Flamengo and Fluminense.
It was built in Rio de Janeiro for the 1950 World Cup and staged seven matches including the final, as Uruguay beat the hosts in front of a record attendance of 199,854.
The Maracanã has been rebuilt numerous times over the years and hosted the 2014 World Cup final as well as the 2019 Copa America showpiece when the Seleção got the better of Peru.
9. Stade des Martyrs (AS Vita Club - 80,000)
The second-most successful club in the Democratic Republic of the Congo play their home games in the country's biggest stadium.
The Stade des Martyrs, located in the town of Lingwala in Kinshasa, also stages the national team's fixtures.
Built at a cost of $38,000,000 when it was opened in 1994, it has an official capacity of 80,000 but can be extended to 100,000.
8. San Siro (AC Milan and Inter Milan - 80,018)
The largest stadium in Italy is the historic home of Milan rivals AC and Inter.
Boasting a maximum capacity of 80,018, the San Siro has hosted World Cup games, massive rock concerts and four European Cup finals.
It was set to be demolished and replaced by a brand spanking new arena after hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony but it has been saved from the scrapheap due to its cultural heritage.
7. Estadio Monumental (Club Universitario de Deportes - 80,093)
A ground you've probably never heard, owned by a club you probably haven't heard of.
The Estadio Monumental, translated as Monumental Stadium, built in 2000, can be found in Lima, Peru and is the largest stadium by seating capacity on the South American continent as it can welcome a maximum of 80,093 through the doors.
It successfully staged the 2019 Copa Libertadores final when Flamengo beat River Plate.
6. Signal Iduna Park (Borussia Dortmund - 81,365)
The home of Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, also known as the Westfalenstadion for those who hate sponsorship titles, boasts an official capacity of 81,365 for domestic matches.
The intimidating 'Yellow Wall', which can hold 25,000 people, is the largest free-standing grandstand in Europe and is home to the most vocal Dortmund supporters.
It was officially opened in 1974 and has undergone various renovations over the years, with the most recent makeover being completed at a cost of €200 million in 2006 ahead of the World Cup.
5. Estadio Más Monumental (River Plate - 84,567)
If you thought Estadio Monumental was a vast arena, wait until you check out Estadio Más Monumental, which directly – and superbly – translates as More Monumental Stadium.
And to be fair to River Plate, they're also accurate. El Monumental, as it is commonly known, really is bigger than its Peruvian near-namesake arena.
The Argentinian giants can drum up an outrageous atmosphere inside their home ground, making it one of the most fearsome, cauldrons to play football in the world.
4. Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid - 85,000)
Real Madrid's stadium is the second largest in Spain but it has been undergoing a facelift since 2019 as the club bids to bring their home into the 21st century.
The makeover was initially estimated to cost €570 million but was hit by delays including the coronavirus pandemic and war in Ukraine, pushing the final bill north of €1 billion including interest payments over 30 years.
When the work is fully completed, the Bernabeu is set to boast a capacity in excess of 85,000, an increase on the former total of 81,044, as well as a retractable pitch and roof.
3. Estadio Azteca (Club America and Cruz Azul - 87,523)
One of the most iconic stadiums on the list, the Estadio Azteca is set to become the only venue to host three editions of the World Cup when Mexico co-host the tournament with the USA and Canada in 2026.
It has been the backdrop for some iconic moments including Brazil's 4-1 demolition of Italy in the 1970 World Cup final and Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal when Argentina beat England at the 1986 World Cup.
Mexican top-flight teams Club America and Cruz Azul share the ground for their home games and the capacity was reduced to 87,523 after a revamp in 2016.
2. FNB Stadium (Kaizer Chiefs - 94,797)
You probably remember this stadium from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as it was the setting for Siphiwe Tshabalala's stunning goal in the opening game and the final as Spain beat the Netherlands.
It was opened in 1989 and staged Nelson Mandela's speech in Johannesburg after his release from prison before being renovated in 2009.
Kaizer Chiefs, the South African football team not the English indie band, play their games at the 94,736-capacity stadium but struggle to sell it out apart from the Soweto Derby with Orlando Pirates.
1. Camp Nou (Barcelona - 99,354)
Barcelona's ground could seat an incredible 99,354 people, making it the biggest club football stadium on the planet, but it is set to increase to 105,000.
The 67-year-old arena is undergoing a major redevelopment that forced Barca to leave their historic home in 2023/24 and they will not return until 2025, with a limited capacity.
Once the work is completed in 2026, the stadium will boast 105,000 seats and world class facilities.
Spotify boast the current sponsorship rights to the stadium, which hosted five games at the 1982 World Cup as well as the 1999 Champions League final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
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Authors
Michael Potts is the Sport Editor for Radio Times, covering all of the biggest sporting events across the globe with previews, features, interviews and more. He has worked for Radio Times since 2019 and previously worked on the sport desk at Express.co.uk after starting his career writing features for What Culture. He achieved a first-class degree in Sports Journalism in 2014.
