The 10 Most Iconic Sports Stadiums Around the World

From some of the oldest venues in Europe to some of the most modern, these venues are revered as a temple of sport to many enthusiastic fans. Here are the ten most iconic sports stadiums found around the world.

10. Beijing National Stadium – Beijing, China

a large building with a large white structure on top of it — Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich

Beijing National Stadium, also called the “Bird’s Nest,” picked up the moniker over its unique design that follows a “nest scheme.” It opened in 2008. This massive stadium can seat 91,000 spectators. It was designed for the 2008 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. It was also used during the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. The stadium has hosted several motor racing events.

9. Cairo International Stadium – Cairo City, Egypt

Cairo International Stadium in Cairo City, formally known as Nasser Stadium, first opened in July 1960 but was renovated in 2005 and 2019. It’s an Olympic-standard, multi-use Stadium with a seating capacity of 75,000. It’s the third-largest stadium in Egypt. It serves as home to the Egyptian national football (soccer) team.

8. Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany

red and white stadium under blue sky during daytime — Photo by Saurav Rastogi

Allianz Arena in Munich opened in 2005 and is the second-largest stadium in Germany behind the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund. It has a seating capacity of 70,000 for international football (soccer) matches and 75,000 for domestic matches. Through its inflated ETFE plastic panels, it is the first stadium in the world with a full-color changing exterior.

7. San Siro Stadium – Milan, Italy

San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, opened in 1926. It has a seating capacity of 80,018, which makes it the largest stadium in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. It’s the home stadium of football (soccer) clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan. It will host the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

6. Old Trafford Stadium – Manchester, United Kingdom

Old Trafford Stadium first opened in 1910 in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England. Today, it’s home to football (soccer) club Manchester United. The stadium can seat 74,310 spectators, the second-largest in the country after Wembley Stadium. It’s hosted matches for the FIFA World Cup, Summer Olympics, and the Rugby Football League’s final.

5. Azteca Stadium – Mexico City, Mexico

Opening in 1966, Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico, has a seating capacity of 87,523. It is the largest stadium in Latin America and the sixth-largest Association football stadium in the world. It’s the home of the football team Club America and the Mexico national team. It was the first Stadium in history to host two World Cup finals.

4. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium – Madrid, Spain

Completed in 1947, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid serves as the home stadium of Real Madrid, one of the world’s most successful football (soccer) clubs. This colossal Stadium has a capacity of over 85,000 spectators. It has the second-largest seating capacity for football in Spain. Many memorable moments in the history of football (soccer) have occurred here.

3. Wembley Stadium – London, United Kingdom

Wembley Stadium in London, United Kingdom, has a history dating back to 1923. Today, the stadium is home to the World Cup finals, Euro Cups, and the UEFA Champions League final. But beyond serving as the iconic home to English football (soccer), it has hosted some of the most legendary live music concerts ever.

2. Camp Nou Stadium – Barcelona, Spain

Heralded as a symbol of European football (soccer), Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, is also the home of FC Barcelona. This colossal sports venue is the largest football stadium in Europe and can accommodate more than 99,000 spectators. Fans consider it a temple to the sport of football (soccer).

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1. Maracanã Stadium – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is considered one of the jewels of world sport. The stadium has a distinctive saucer-shaped design and can seat more than 78,000 spectators. It was inaugurated to host the 1950 FIFA World Cup. While it is a sanctuary of football, it’s more than a sports venue — fans view it as a shrine.