Football stadiums come in all shapes and sizes, so how do we decide which ones look best?
Many factors need to be considered: the landscape, the tripod, the atmosphere and the most elusive of features, a wow factor.
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Below are 30 arenas that meet these criteria, ranked by their beauty. Enjoy.
Mané Garrincha opened in 1974 | SERGIO LIMA / Getty Images
Mane Garrincha is named after the legendary Brazilian and is a real gladiator arena.
Seemingly held together by a series of concrete matches, it is architecturally fascinating.
We like it, okay | Heritage Images / Getty Images
Fratton Park is a five minute walk from the train station, and is a wonderful English football pitch.
Two even stand back on terraced streets and for many years the far end did not even have a roof.
Estadio Hernando Siles is Bolivia’s flagship stadium | AIZAR RALDES / Getty Images
Estadio Hernando Siles is located 3,637 meters above sea level.
More importantly, it’s absolutely amazing. Located in a lively area of La Paz, spectators can enjoy views of skyscrapers and mountains.
Also known as Steel Giant | Azael Rodriguez / Getty Images
Home to the Mexican side of CF Monterrey, the exterior of the Estadio BBVA is made of glittering steel.
The landscape is not bad either, with the arena surrounded by trees and rolling hills.
Everton could soon move from their old home David Goddard / Getty Images
Surrounded by houses, Goodison Park has been the striking heart of the Walton area since 1892.
However, it is not as beautiful as Everton’s proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore jetties.
Groupama Stadium always guarantees a feisty atmosphere | JEFF PACHOUD / Getty Images
If you are ever lucky enough to visit Groupama Stadium in Lyon, we recommend that you get there a little early.
This allows you to appreciate the stunning red, white and blue chairs that make the arena unique, before everyone packs up to create their famous high atmosphere.
Craven Cottage is one of the oldest arenas in the UK Ker Robertson / Getty Images
Fulham supporters lie on the River Thames and are sometimes exposed to biting winds.
However, it is worth it for this incredible place. The stadium also has an old early feel and first opened its doors back in 1896.
It’s a football arena that floats.
What more really needs to be said?
Old Trafford holds close to 80,000 spectators Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
It’s called Dreams Theater for a reason.
Old Trafford is steeped in football folklore and seamlessly combines traditional and modern architecture.
Hopefully the arena will soon be filled to the brim again Graham Chadwick / Getty Images
The Santiago Bernabeu seats over 80,000 spectators and has been Real Madrid’s home since 1947.
The latest developments will see it equipped with a 360 degree screen and a retractable roof. Nice.
Oh. My. Words. | BRANIMIR BOBAN / Getty Images
Home to the Croatian lower league NK Imotski, the Gospin Dolac Stadium is located in the middle of terracotta roofs and fantastic rock walls.
Why aren’t more ex-professionals retiring here?
Igraliste Batarija, home of HNK Trogir in Croatia’s lower leagues. Simply amazing? ️? # Soccer # Soccer Fields # Jumping # Croatia # NonLeague pic.twitter.com/7828Pchbqv
– Soccer fields and Groundhopping (@GroundhopperUK) November 8, 2019
Another gem from the Croatian lower leagues, you will struggle to find safirbleu waters just like the things located at Igraliste Batarija.
Climb to the top of that hill and enjoy the action for free. Simple | MARCOS MORENO / Getty Images
With a stadium as beautiful as this, it is a mystery why UEFA took so long to accept Gibraltar into the federation.
Matches are played in the shadow of a rocky hill, while the arena is also just a stone’s throw from the coast.
Who does not want palm trees at home | Cameron Spencer / Getty Images
Central Coast Mariners Stadium has only three stands. Why do you ask?
To give fans a view of Brisbane Water, of course through a series of palm trees.
“The perfect football photo does not exist” PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / Getty Images
With powerful red arches on all four sides, the Estadio de Luz in Lisbon has housed Benfica since 2003.
It was also one of the seats used for last summer’s Champions League mini-tournament.
Gospel choir or football ultrasound? | Laszlo Szirtesi / Getty Images
Pancho Arena has room for over 35,000 seats and is located in the Hungarian village of Felcsut, which has a population of about 2,000 …
Without a doubt, the arena is a real beauty with ornate details that would not look out of place in a cathedral.
Hasteinsvollur in Iceland, IBV’s home, is located next to a volcano http://t.co/5sMy9iMM Taken by PGN at @FootballFans_Eu pic.twitter.com/NFyv9gpT
– When Saturday Comes (@WSC_magazine) October 23, 2012
Iceland is one of the most picturesque countries in the world, so it makes sense that its football stadium would also be beautiful.
Hasteinsvollur is located on the island of Heimaey and what it lacks in seating more than compensates in the surroundings.
The current iteration of Wembley opened in 2007 Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
Few sights in football are more iconic than the Wembley Arch.
Home to English football since 1923, the current version of the famous ground opened in 2007.
It is impossible to feel anything other than Zen-like calm at the Faroe Islands’ national stadium.
Maybe that’s why they keep coming back for more, despite being Europe’s whipping boys for decades.
Maracana has never looked better than when it hosted the 2014 World Cup final Julian Finney / Getty Images
Maracana is perfectly round and thus incredibly satisfying to look at.
Add to that the stunning Rio de Janeiro silhouette that is visible from the stands and it is no surprise that it appears on this list.
Estadi Comunal d’Andorra la Vella will host Andoras national team games until 2014 | VI-Images / Getty Images
Estadi Comunal d’Andorra la Vella. It’s a pretty mouthful, but once you’ve seen the stadium it’s going to make you speechless.
Surrounded by lush greenery and high hills, it hosts most of the matches in the two two levels of Andorra’s club football.
It was the main venue for the 2010 World Cup Streeter Lecka / Getty Images
FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City, was designed in the shape of a gourd base – a type of African pot – and was the site of the 2010 World Cup final.
Not even violent flashbacks to unpredictable match balls, Frank Lampard ghosts and Vuvuzelas could distract us from the beauty of this stadium as we compiled our rankings.
All lamps | Alexandra Beier / Getty Images
The most important point of sale for the Allianz Arena, home to Bayern Munich, are the fully customizable lights on the outside of the arena.
The possibilities for this are endless.
An absolute cauldron | Getty Images / Getty Images
This is the definition of a football pot.
The River Plate house since 1938, El Monumental’s bowl as a stand extends up into the clouds overlooking the Atlantic from the very highest places.
Wow | VALERY HACHE / Getty Images
Stade Louis II looks more like a stately home than a football stadium.
Located on the coast of Monaco, it compensates more than its small size with its jaw-dropping design and surroundings.
This is NOT an IKEA | Sebastian Rodeiro / Getty Images
The stalls at Boca Juniors’ home seem to be tilted at a 180 degree angle.
That, combined with its vibrant color scheme, makes it one of the most distinctive arenas in South America.
Camp Nou is one of the most iconic arenas on the planet | Michael Regan / Getty Images
To understand the ridiculous scale of Camp Nou, you really have to visit it yourself.
Do not go to the top if you are afraid of heights but …
Wave after wave, wave after wave | EMMANUEL BARRANGUET / Getty Images
As the name suggests, Marseille’s home ground was originally used for cycling events.
Even though this has stopped now, the influence of the track can still be seen in the wavy roof.
Signal Iduna Park’s beauty is created by the fans inside | INA FASSBENDER / Getty Images
With the largest standing terrace in European football and a stylish design, Signal Iduna Park sees the traditional and modern collision.
It also has solar panels on the roof, which is really cool and saves the planet.
It’s art | Gary M. Prior / Getty Images
San Siro somehow manages to blend brutalism, futurism, art deco and 15 other styles to create a beautiful crazy architecture.
In recent years, there have been rumors that both clubs in Milan have moved out of the historic arena. We think we speak for everyone when we say: please, please do not.
