Gain more insights while reading this article on Largest Stadiums in the World.
Stadiums play a pivotal role in hosting a diverse range of events, ranging from thrilling football matches to electrifying live concerts.
These monumental structures serve as the epicenter for some of life’s most captivating moments.
Within the realm of stadiums, there exists a spectrum of significance; some are renowned for their rich historical legacy, while others are simply awe-inspiring due to their colossal proportions, having the remarkable ability to accommodate audiences exceeding the 100,000 mark.
In this visually engaging presentation, we embark on a journey to meticulously evaluate and unveil the top 10 largest stadiums across the globe, meticulously ranked based on their remarkable seating capacity.
source: gujaratcricketassociation
TOP 10 LARGEST STADIUMS IN THE WORLD
1. NARENDRA MODI STADIUM
Narendra Modi Stadium, by the Sabarmati river, is the world’s largest Cricket Stadium, built in 1982 to nurture cricket talent. Earlier, it seated 49,000 fans.
In October 2015, Shri Narendra Modi, then GCA President, led the reconstruction to create the world’s largest Cricket Stadium.
The redevelopment finished in February 2020, now seating over 1.3 lakh fans, surpassing Melbourne Cricket Ground’s 90,000 capacity.
2. RUNGRADO 1ST OF MAY STADIUM – NORTH KOREA
source: football-stadiums
In the 1990s, Kim Jong-il, the former Supreme Leader of North Korea, first picked up a golf club at the opening of Pyongyang Golf Complex.
This complex features North Korea’s sole 18-hole golf course with a par of 72.
The Supreme Leader astonishingly completed a 38-under-par round of 34, including eleven holes-in-one.
We don’t imply North Koreans fabricate stories, but it seems unlikely for a golf novice to achieve this feat.
Perhaps the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium’s seating is artificially enhanced with mirrors.
However, the 150,000 capacity claim is legitimate.
Details about this secretive North Korean venue are scarce.
It’s nominally used for football matches, including the North Korean national team.
Primarily, it hosts the Arirang Festival, an artistic performance event.
In the 1990s, some implicated North Korean army members faced execution via mass burning within the stadium, a grim fact.
The stadium’s capacity has remained constant since its inception, but it underwent renovations from 2013 to 2015.
Besides hosting North Korean football teams and the annual Arirang Festival, it serves as the starting and finishing point for the Pyongyang Marathon.
3. CAMP NOU
source: football-stadiums
Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s home since September 24, 1957, also staged Catalonia national team matches. It featured in the 1992 Summer Olympics when Spain hosted them.
The stadium hosted two Champions League finals and a 1982 FIFA World Cup semi-final. Capacity started at 93,000 before rising to 121,749 in the early 1980s. It dropped to 115,000 in 1993 and further to 98,772 in 2005.
In 2016, it slightly increased to 99,354, with plans to reach 105,000 by 2021, involving a major stadium redevelopment.
Camp Nou wasn’t only about football. In 1982, Pope John Paul II led a mass with 121,000 attendees. Julio Iglesias performed for 60,000 in 1983. The stadium hosted concerts by Bruce Springsteen, The Three Tenors, and U2.
4. FNB STADIUM – SOUTH AFRICA
Source: football-stadiums
FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City or The Calabash, hosts South Africa’s football and rugby home games. Kaiser Chiefs FC plays here too. It hosted the 1996 and 2013 African Cup of Nations and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with upgrades increasing its capacity to 94,736. VIP seating reduced it to 84,490 seats.
Besides sports, FNB Stadium also hosts music acts like Neil Diamond, U2, Lady Gaga, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, and the Foo Fighters. In 1990, Nelson Mandela delivered his first post-prison speech there.
5. ROSE BOWL STADIUM – UNITED STATES
source: football-stadiums
The Rose Bowl, a prominent American Football stadium, ranks among the United States’ top soccer venues.
It staged the FIFA World Cup final in 1994, the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in 1999, the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal Match, and many CONCACAF and US Soccer Federation games.
This venue, opened in 1922, holds National Historic Landmark status. Annually, it hosts the Rose Bowl American Football game, from which it derives its name.
Initially, it was called either the Tournament of Roses Stadium or Tournament of Roses Bowl until it adopted the name Rose Bowl just before the 1923 tournament game.
From 1972 to 1997, the capacity stood at 104,091, decreasing to 91,136-92,542 in 1998. In 2011, attendance reached 94,118.
The stadium routinely hosts the BSC National Championship and the College Football Playoffs, along with several Super Bowl games since 1977.
Like most major stadiums, it has hosted various music concerts. In 1982, Journey headlined, supported by acts like Blue Oyster Cult.
Additionally, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, and The Rolling Stones have also performed at this stadium.
6. WEMBLY STADIUM – ENGLAND
source: football-stadiums
The new Wembley Stadium opened in 2007, hosting the 2007 FA Cup final, won by Chelsea.
It serves as England’s football team’s home and hosts international games.
Additionally, it hosts FA Cup semi-finals, the League Cup final, and the FA Community Shield match annually.
In 2011 and 2013, it held the Champions League final, and in 2012, the Summer Olympics’ Gold Medal Match.
The venue has also hosted the Rugby League Challenge Cup final, NFL matches, and various concerts.
7. ESTADIO AZTECA – MEXICO
source: football-stadiums
The Estadio Azteca, situated in Santa Ursula, Mexico City, serves as the Mexican national team’s home.
Club America, a top-flight Mexican football team, also calls it home.
Other clubs like Necaxa, Atlante, Universidad Nacional, Atletico Espanyol, and Cruz Azul have used it over the years.
It stands as one of world football’s most iconic stadiums and hosted two separate FIFA World Cup finals.
In 1970, Brazil defeated Italy 4-1, and in 1986, Argentina beat West Germany 3-2, including Maradona’s famous ‘hand of God’ goal in the 1986 England-Argentina quarter-final.
On June 5, 1966, the stadium held its first night game when Necaxa faced Valencia.
In 1978 and 1990, it hosted the Copa Interamericana finals, featuring America, Boca Juniors, and Club Olimpia from Paraguay.
Beyond sports, it has hosted major musicians. Michael Jackson concluded his Dangerous Tour with five sold-out shows in 1993, and U2 drew 110,000 attendees in 2011.
In 2012, Paul McCartney performed before 53,000 fans, and in 2014, Mexican comedian Roberto Gomez Bolaños’ funeral took place there.
8. BUKIT JALIL NATIONAL STADIUM – MALAYSIA
source; football-stadiums
The builders constructed the Bukit Jalil National Stadium to host the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur that took place in September of that year.
Since then, the Malaysia national football team has used it as their home ground.
It is considered the best stadium in Malaysia and frequently hosts major tournaments like the Southeast Asian Games, ASEAN University Games, and FESPIC Games.
Additionally, it has hosted music concerts for artists such as Kelly Clarkson, The Corrs, Usher, and Linkin Park.
Aside from music concerts, the stadium also hosts track and field athletic events, the Malaysian FA Cup final, the FA Premier League Asia Cup, the Champions Youth Cup final, and pre-season tours for teams like Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
The stadium underwent renovation and expansion in 1998, increasing its capacity
9. BORG EL ARAB STADIUM – EGYPT
Source: .football-stadiums
This stadium ranks among the world’s top ten largest by capacity, yet we know little about Borg El Erab Stadium.
It boasts a 5000-car parking lot, but its highest-attended match remains a mystery.
The stadium features a 35% umbrella cover, but its construction cost remains undisclosed.
Egypt built it for the 2010 World Cup bid, alongside five other international standard grounds.
It hosts Egypt’s international football matches, despite having an 80,000 capacity, with 35% taken by the terrace and first-class stand.
The stadium hosted only the opening game of the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup between Egypt and Trinidad and Tobago.
Some FIFA delegates likened it to the Stade de France, but Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s former President, lauded it as ‘fantastic,’ leaving us unsure whom to believe.
10. SALT LAKE STADIUM – INDIA
source: football-stadiums
The Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, India, formerly the world’s largest football stadium, is officially known as the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan stadium.
Renovations have reduced capacity but improved seating and facilities.
It serves as the home ground for the Indian National football team and three clubs: ATK Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and Mohammedan.
Additionally, it occasionally hosts athletics events and concerts, though infrequently.
While lesser-known in the West, it regularly hosts under-17 men’s and women’s World Cup matches.
Notably, it welcomed Bayern Munich for Oliver Khan’s farewell match and hosted Lionel Messi and the Argentine team in a 2011 friendly against Venezuela.
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