Okay so this list is obviously put together from a slightly biased point of view, but it is a list of some of the greatest sporting venues in the World. Obviously a slight caveat to this list is that it only includes stadiums of sport that I would watch. As such it would not include things like St Andrews or Monaco as they are not stadiums in the traditional sense of the word, or in any sense of the word really. It also would exclude stadiums that specifically host sparring as that is really not in my sporting interest. And importantly it’s not just about the aesthetic display of the stadium, but also the atmosphere, history and use of the stadium, which is why the Beijing Olympic Stadium is excluded. Here are my top 10 sporting venues in the World:
10. Aztec Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico
More than 100,000 fans cram Mexico City’s famed Azteca. Some sports venues just feel special because of their historical significance and this stadium is definitely on that list.. In addition to hosting a Summer Olympics and two FIFA World Cup finals, it was also the setting for Diego Maradona’s infamous Hand of God goal, his Goal of the Century and soccer’s so-called Game of the Century between Italy and West Germany in 1970.
9. Anfield, Liverpool, England
“You’ll Never Walk Alone”, as an Arsenal fan there are not many reasons to be jealous of Liverpool of late, but one thing that does stand out for me is the atmosphere that is created at their famous stadium. The Kop is probably the most famous end at a football ground in the world and one thing Liverpool’s supporters can be called is faithful.
8. Lords, London, England
The home of test cricket and the scene of some great displays. It is at this famous ground that South Africa clinched the test series and the World number 1 ranking. The Pavillion end is rudimentary at best but the honours boards at Lords are one of the highlights of any cricketers career. Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla have their names there twice for centuries, Kepler Wessels was the first South African to do it post isolation, while Makhaya Ntini got his name on the bowling board three times in one match in 2003.
7. Moses Mabhida, Durban, South Africa
While many were worried about the possibility of South African stadiums becoming famed “White Elephants” after 2010, but Moses Mabidha has completely blown that out of the window. The stadium is one of the most aesthetically pleasing in the world and the stadium has got a lifestyle around it. There are restaurants, gyms and shops plugged into the stadium. There is the cable car ride to the top and the giant swing on the archway. The stadium is also the home ground for Amazulu and has recently hosted cricket and the Manchester United Tour game.
6. Wembley Stadium, London, England
The new Wembley stadium is a piece of architectural brilliance. It may be the second-largest stadium in Europe, but it’s Wembley Stadium’s steel arch that intrigues me. With it being the longest single-span roof structure in the world, passing planes should approach with caution. It has already built some history with the annual FA Cup semi finals and final as well as the 2010 Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United.
5. Yankee Stadium, New York, United States of America
If there is one stadium in the world that I am dying to go and see a live event at, it is the New Yankee Stadium. And even though it was built next to the previous Yankee Stadium which had stood since 1923, it was, in essence at least, a reconstruction of the original stadium. The stadium cost an incredible $1.5 billion, but went all out to include the historical relevance and importance of its predecessor. Please take me out to the ball game?
4. Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
Yes their team are a bunch of, um, ya. But surely there is no better club football stadium in the world. For me it edges out the Bernabeu in the same way that Messi edges out Ronaldo. The stadium holds 99 500 or so spectators and along the way have broken many hearts (mine included). At this capacity it is the largest stadium in Europe and deserving of a place in this list.
3. Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
Built in 1853, with the first game of cricket played on September 30, 1854, up to 130,000 people could once be crammed in — however, renovations and safety regulations have since restricted capacity to the current 100,000.This makes it the largest cricket venue in the world, and also holds the record for the tallest stadium floodlights, allowing the action to continue well into the night. If you’re going to watch cricket anywhere in the world, this is the place to do it.
2. Wimbledon, London, England
It may be the center of the tennis world for only two weeks of the year (or slightly longer depending on the British weather) but there’s no tennis venue like Wimbledon. Center Court becomes a circus of oohs and aahs. Strawberries drip with cream. Henman Hill burns with suspense. Sir Cliff Richard sings in the rain. And of course Andy Murray, or whoever the favored British “star” is this year, loses in the semi-finals yet again. I was fortunate enough to go for a tour of Wimbledon in April this year and I can promise you, it delivers on all the promise and more!
1. Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa
I have watched football games in 20+ stadiums in the world, rugby games in 10 or so, Cricket in about 5 and nothing has come even close to the brilliance of the kalabash. I don’t think us South Africans are truly aware of how amazing Soccer City is. The atmosphere and presence when Shaba scored that goal is the greatest sporting experience of my life. I have never felt a stadium that embodies a countries spirit like Soccer City does. Of course it is also used as a concert venue, but its inclusion in this list is quite deserving and is my favourite stadium in the World.
Special Mention Award – The float at Marina Bay, Singapore
Seriously, just check this one out!
That Braga stadium also looks magnificent, cut into the mountain like that. I’d give Newlands Rugby stadium a mention, just because the atmosphere is phenomenal, but I am a CT boy so course I’m a tad bias!
Great list but I have a few possible just missed or why arent the on the list.
If we are going to talk baseball I would put Fenway park and Shea Stadium over yankee stadium. Fenway because of its century old History and its green Monster, Shea because of its added musical history. I mean Yankee stadium means you would have to be watching the Yankees and everbody hates them.
Football wise other stadiums i think are missing are the San Siro and Allianz arena.
Other Stadiums Arenas that come to mind Murrayfield when the Scotland is playing rugby just for the Flower of Scotland. Joe Lewis arena aka Hockey town, the red wings nuff said. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, place of the 1994 FIFA world cup final, and the annual Rose Bowl college football game, 95 000 college football fans, now thats what I call a party.