Football stadiums are not only used to organize a football game but are also used for multiple purposes. Being the most popular game on the planet, football stadiums are one of the biggest by capacity. Talking about the Biggest football stadiums by capacity in the world in 2023, we may think of the likes of Man United’s Old Trafford, Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu, or Milan’s San Siro. But it’s not even close enough to make this top 10 list.
In this article, Football Devils presents the list of the world’s biggest football stadiums by capacity in the year 2023.
10. Lusail Iconic Stadium – 80,000
Lusail Iconic Stadium or simply Lusail Stadium is the biggest stadium in Qatar which is located in Lusail. It was built in April 2021 and opened on 22 November 2021 with a seating capacity of 80,000. The stadium hosted the final game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Lusail Iconic Stadium hosted ten matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, including the final. Like the other stadiums planned for the 2022 World Cup, the Lusail Stadium is cooled using solar power and has a zero carbon footprint.
The stadium conversion procurement process began in 2014. HBK Contracting (HBK) and China Railway Construction Corporation collaborated to construct the stadium (CRCC). HBK Engineering W L L was in charge of the MEP work. The construction of this amazing modern architecture began on 11 April 2017 and it was built in April 2021.
Full name : Lusail Iconic Stadium
Location : Lusail, Qatar
Owner : Qatar Football Association
Built : April, 2021
Capacity : 80,000
Cost to built : Around $767 million USD
9. Bukit Jalil National Stadium – 87,411
Bukit Jalil National Stadium is the largest stadium in Southeast Asia which is located in Bukit Jalil, Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia. The stadium was built on 1 January 1995 and opened on 11 July 1998 with a construction cost of RM800 million. This stadium has a seating capacity of 87,411.
Bukit Jalil National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium that is a sports venue for major games and finals. It has hosted the 2001 and 2017 Southeast Asian Games. Most of the Malaysian international football matches are played here along with national-level football competition finals.
This Malaysian masterpiece was built by United Engineers Malaysia and was designed by Arkitek FAA, Weidleplan Consulting GMBH, and Schlaich Bergermann Partner.
Full name : Bukit Jalil National Stadium (In Malay: Stadium Nasional Bukit Jalil)
Location : Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Owner : Malaysian Government
Built : 1 January 1995
Capacity : 87,411
Cost to built : RM800 million (~ $182 Million USD)
8. Estadio Azteca – 87,523
Estadio Azteca is a multi-purpose stadium located in Thalpan, Mexico City. It was opened on 29 May 1996 with a seating capacity of 87,523. The stadium is the home ground for Mexico’s national football team and Club America. It costs MXN$260 million to build this iconic stadium. The stadium sits at an altitude of 2,200 m (7,200 feet) above sea level.
Estadio Azteca is the biggest stadium in Mexico and Latin America. It is the first stadium to host two World Cup Finals, in 1970 and 1986. It also hosted the 1986 quarter-final match between Argentina and England in which Diego Maradona scored the “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century“. The National Football League (NFL) features one game at Estadio Azteca per season as a part of their International Series.
The stadium has been gradually improved and renovated, including the replacement of stadium seating and the installation of electronic advertising boards.
Panasonic LED panels were installed at the stadium’s north and south ends in May 2015, replacing phosphorous panels installed in 1998.
Full name : Estadio Azteca Stadium
Location : Tlalpan, Mexico City
Owner : TelevisaUnivision Mexico
Built : Broke ground in 1961, opened on 29 May 1966
Capacity : 87,523
Cost to built : MXN$260 million (~ $13 Million USD)
7. Wembley Stadium – 90,000
Wembley Stadium is the largest stadium in the UK. The stadium was opened in 2007, in Wembley, London with a seating capacity of 90,000. It is owned by the governing body of English football, the Football Association (FA).
The second-largest stadium in Europe was built with a construction cost of £798 million. Wembley stadium has a record attendance of 89,874 in a game between Cardiff City and Portsmouth on 17 May 2008. The stadium hosts major football matches including home matches of England’s national football team, and the FA Cup final. It has also hosted the 2011 and 2013 UEFA Champions League Finals.
The UK’s marvelous architecture was designed by Populous and Foster and Partners, meanwhile, it was built by the Australian firm Multiplex and the entire project was managed by Capita Property and Infrastructure.
Several football club owners have attempted to buy this brilliant stadium including Fulham but were not successful. Tottenham Hotspurs managed to make Wembley their home on a temporary basis while they were building the brand new stadium between 2016–2019.
Full name : Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Location : Wembley, London, England
Owner : The Football Association
Built : 2003–2007
Capacity : 90,000
Cost to built : £798 Million (roughly US$1.57 billion)
6. Rose Bowl – 92,542
The Rose Bowl Stadium is the second biggest football stadium in America after Michigan. The stadium is located in Pasadena, California in the United States. It has a seating capacity of 92,542. The construction cost of this stadium was $272,198 at that time (1922).
Rose Bowl is a multi-purpose outdoor athletic stadium that is operated by Rose Bowl Operating Company, a non-profit organization whose board is selected by council members of the city of Pasadena. The stadium was designed by architect Myron Hunt in 1921.
This historic masterpiece is still up and running thanks to its maintenance that has been carried out throughout its history. It was renovated and maintained in 1928, 1949, 1982, 1998 and 2010-2015. Also, the seats at Rose Bowl stadium have varied over the years, it has recorded a maximum crowd of 106,869 in 1973.
Rose Bowl stadium is best known as a college football venue, specifically as the host of the annual Rose Bowl Game for which it was named. This stadium is a home ground for the UCLA Bruins football team. Some of the biggest games of football are organized in this stadium. It had hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final, 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, 1984 Olympic Soccer Gold Medal Match, etc.
Full name : Rose Bowl America’s Stadium
Location : Pasadena, California
Owner : City of Pasadena
Built : 1922
Capacity : 92,542
Cost to built : $272,000 (1922)
5. FNB Stadium – 94,736
First National Bank Stadium or simply FNB Stadium is one of the biggest football stadiums in the world with a seating capacity of 94,736. The stadium was opened in 1989 in Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africa. It went for a major upgrade for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Before the upgrade, the stadium had a capacity of 40,000.
FNB Stadium is the home stadium of Kaizer Chiefs F.C. and the South Africa national football team. FNB stadium served as the main venue for many tournaments. It was also the venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final which was played by Spain and Netherlands.
The venue is managed by Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA). The stadium is also known by its nickname “The Calabash” due to its resemblance to the African pot/gourd. It was here that Nelson Mandela gave his first public speech after his release from jail in 1990.
The stadium was designed by Boogertman & Partners, HOK Sport (now Populous) and is owned by City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality.
Full name : First National Bank Stadium
Location : Stadium Avenue, Nasrec, Johannesburg, South Africa
Owner : City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality
Built : 1986 , Renoved and Expanded on 2009
Capacity : 94,736
Cost to built : ZAR 3.3 billion (US$440 million)
4. Camp Nou – 99,354
The home of Spanish giant FC Barcelona, Camp Nou is the biggest football stadium in Europe. This mega architecture was opened in 1957 with a seating capacity of 99,354. The construction cost of this stadium took about $18.24 million. It was designed by Francesc Mitjans and Josep Soteras and is owned by Football Club Barcelona.
On 15 March 2022, music streaming service Spotify had a deal worth $310 million for naming rights of the stadium. The stadium is now renamed Spotify Camp Nou. The deal with this historic stadium still went through despite the criticism due to the financial difficulty of FC Barcelona.
Since Camp Nou is an old stadium, it has gone through many renovations in 1995, 2008, and 2018. The major redo of the entire stadium was planned in 2007. However, it has still not been done due to various difficulties like the 2008 financial crisis, the 2020 pandemic, and recent financial constraints of the club itself.
The FC Barcelona home stadium hosted several big events including Champions League finals, World Cup games, Copa del Rey finals, etc. In the 1986 European Cup Quater Final game between FC Barcelona and Juventus, it recorded an attendance of 120,000. Other than football, Camp Nou is also used for hosting major concerts.
Full name : Spotify Camp Nou
Location : Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Owner : FC Barcelona
Built : 1954–1957
Capacity : 99,354
Cost to built : €1.73 billion
3. Melbourne Cricket Ground – 100,024
Melbourne Cricket Ground which is also known as “The G” is the Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne, Australia. The stadium was built in 1853 with numerous renovations. The seating capacity of this stadium is 100,024.
Despite its name, the Melbourne Cricket Ground has and continues to be much more frequently utilized for Australian football. Football is one of the most popular sports in Australia, with more people watching it than any other sport. The stadium also hosted one of the most important football matches between Brazil and Argentina. It also has hosted many cricket matches including two Cricket World Cups: 1992 and 2015.
In 2005, the MCG was included in the Victorian Heritage Register and the Australian National Heritage List. In 2003, journalist Greg Baum called Melbourne Cricket Ground:
A shrine, a citadel, a landmark, a totem” that “symbolises Melbourne to the world
Full name : The Melbourne Cricket Ground
Location : East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Owner : Government of Victoria
Built : 1853
Capacity : 100,024
Cost to built : A$ 150 million (1992), A$ 400 million (2005)
2. Michigan Stadium – 107,601
Michigan Stadium is the second biggest football stadium in the world located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. It is also called “The Big House” due to its size and the official capacity of the crowd is 107,601. The stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000. Michigan Stadium is the football stadium for the University of Michigan.
Michigan Stadium is also used for the University of Michigan’s main graduation ceremonies. It has also hosted hockey and NHL games. Some big games of football are also played in this stadium including Manchester United and Real Madrid on August 2, 2014. This game has a record crowd for a football match in the United States with an attendance of 109,318.
The original design of this mega structure was done by Bernard L. Green. However, the ground went with a major renovation in 2010 which was designed by HNTB. On June 21, 2007, the University’s Board of Regents approved a $226 million rehabilitation and expansion project for Michigan Stadium (equivalent to $277 million in 2020).
Full name : Michigan Stadium
Location : Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Owner : University of Michigan
Built : 1927
Capacity : 107,601
Cost to built : $950,000 (1927)
1. Rungrado 1st of May Stadium – 114,000
Rungrado 1st of May Stadium is the biggest football stadium in the world with a seating capacity of 114,000 persons. It is a multi-purpose stadium located in Rungra Island, Pyongyang, North Korea. Yes, you heard it right, it’s in North Korea. The biggest football stadium in the world was opened on 1 May 1989. The stadium was originally built with an official capacity of 150,000. After the 2014 remodel, it has a capacity of 114,000 seats.
This mega stadium is the largest stadium in the world considering its official seating capacity. President Moon Jae-in of South Korea delivered a speech to 150,000 North Korean spectators during the inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang in September 2018.
The size of the stadium is
Main pitch – 22,500 m2 (242,000 sq ft)
Total floor space – over 207,000 m2 (2,230,000 sq ft)
The stadium is currently used for football matches, a few athletics events, and most often for the mass games of the Arirang Festival. It is the home ground of the Korean DPR men’s and women’s national football teams.
Full name : The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium Pyongyang
Location : Rungra Island, Pyongyang, North Korea
Owner : North Korea Government
Built : 1986–1989
Capacity : 114,000
Cost to built : Around USD $210 million
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