Soccer fans all over the world will have their favourite stadium, whether it’s the one the team they support plays at or one they have only ever dreamed of going to.
These stadiums can be synonymous with an area and some people may only know the location of places in the world due to the stadium that is built there.
All of these stadiums have their own stories and several memories held within the stands that make them iconic pieces of architecture.
Remember, you can always watch the football matches live for free online and get a glimpse of what these stadiums are like but you can only feel it properly by visiting them.
Here are five of the most amazing soccer stadiums in the world that every fan should visit at least once in their lifetime.
1) Camp Nou – Barcelona, Spain
The Camp Nou in Barcelona is more than just a soccer stadium. It is a sign of independence that was built towards the end of the hunger years after the Spanish civil war.
When the stadium first opened in 1957 it was the only place the regional language could be spoken without fear of repercussions and joined the Catalan people together in protest. That independence and spirit has helped Barcelona to become more than just a soccer team over the years.
This cathedral of world soccer, with about 75% of it uncovered and at mercy of the elements, it has an atmosphere on match days that can rarely been seen anywhere else.
Helped by perhaps the most talented soccer team in the world playing there, this iconic stadium is number one on many soccer fans lists of places to visit before they die.
2) Wembley Stadium – London, England
Wembley Stadium is the home of English soccer, or football as it’s more commonly known in that part of the world. It is where England lifted the World Cup in 1966 and is host to domestic Cup Finals played in front of a packed crowd every year.
It was a triumph of British engineering when first built and was hailed as the greatest stadium in the world, with beauty and elegance that was unmatched. The old stadium, home to the famous twin towers, fell into a poor state of disrepair over the yeasr and had to be demolished to make room for a modernised version.
In 2007, a new Wembley opened that boasts a 90,000 capacity crowd and a 133-metre tall arch that runs across the top of it. Some people have criticised the new stadium, saying it doesn’t have the atmosphere of the old one, but it is still an iconic place and on the list of most magnificent stadiums in the world that every soccer fan dreams of visiting.
3) Azteca – Mexico City, Mexico
Opened in 1966 and built on the extinguished Xitle volcano, the Azteca is a symbol of national passion. Walking into this stadium is said to be akin to a religious experience and something that will always be remembered.
Also, despite being in an earthquake zone, it is one of the safest structures in the area due to its foundation of volcanic rock.
Home to Club America, it has been the venue of some iconic and history making soccer moments over the years. One of the most famous being Diego Maradona scoring both his controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal as well as the ‘goal of the century’ in the same match against England in 1986.
4) San Siro – Milan, Italy
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, more commonly known as the San Siro Stadium, is an iconic building that stands in the diverse San Siro district of Milan.
The district, originally a small settlement on the banks of the Olana river, was transformed in the 20th century. One of those transformations was the building of this stadium, which is representative of its surroundings.
Home to both AC Milan and Inter, the stadium has a capacity of just over 80,000 and will play host to the 2016 Champions League Final.
Despite being opened since 1926 and with both of its home teams threatening to leave at some point, it is still one of the most must-visit stadiums in world football.
5) Maracana – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
One of the most widely loved stadiums in the world, the Maracana can boast a record attendance of almost 200,000 and the honour of hosting two World Cup Finals in its history.
Built in what was originally a controversial location, it has since helped to build a neighbourhood and bring a community together in the surrounding areas. It has been rebuilt and refurbished to meet safety laws, after its fair share of disasters, and is the greenest stadium in Brazil thanks to its 1500 solar panels on the roof.
Home to Flamengo and Fluminense, the 78,838 capacity stadium will be the setting of the 2016 Olympic Games opening ceremony. It may differ from the original but the iconic ringed roof keeps its rich history intact and is a must-visit stadium for soccer fans everywhere.
Just our opinion
Remember, this is just our pick of the most magnificent soccer stadiums in the world and you may have your own favourite. However, whether you agree with us or not we still recommend that every soccer fan should visit these five if they ever get the chance.