26 of the best football stadiums in Europe

I was at first going to list the national stadiums for pretty much everywhere in Europe, but I quickly realised that some of them *cough* Lithuania *cough* didn’t have a stadium worth the mention and even getting decent pictures of the others was more difficult than I imagined.

However I didn’t want to get rid of too as the very nature of doing a year abroad means you can find yourself almost anywhere. I have tried to keep the biggest/most impressive national stadiums regardless of the country. Where necessary though, I’ve added in a few extra that can’t be forgotten. England, for example, have so many good stadiums it was hard to keep it to just three.

Let's get started.

Austria

1. Ernst Happel Stadion

It's Austria's largest stadium with a capacity of 51, 000. Located in Vienna, it is the home of the Austrian National team as well as local side Rapid Vienna, but only for a short period of time.

France

2. Stade de France

France's home of both rugby and football, the Stade de France is Europe's sixth largest stadium, holding up to 81, 000 people.

3. Stade Vélodrome

Home to Ligue 1 side Olmpique de Marseille, after the latest of many renovations throughout its history in 2014, the Stade Velodrome now boasts a large maximum capacity of its own, able to hold 67, 000.

Germany

4. Olympiastadion

Although the German national team don't have a national stadium to play in, Hertha Berlin's home plays host to the German Cup final each year. This amazing Olympic Stadium can hold up to 75, 000 people.

5. Allianz Arena

Seems only fair that one of Europe's best clubs has one of its best stadiums as its home too. The Allianz Arena is a marvel in itself, holding up to 75, 000 people, the home of the German champions is just as famous for its ability to light up as it is for the football played inside.

6. Wesfalenstadion / Signal Iduna Park

Famous for the fans within it, Dortmund's home may not be as colourful as rivals Bayern's stadium but the atmospehere the fans create is second to none. Their 'yellow wall' of fans is famous for the array of images they have created and the noise they make. With a max capacity of 80, 000, you can imagine how loud it must be.

Greece

7. Olympic Stadium / Spiros Louis

Athens' Olympic Stadium holds 70, 000 and is home to local side AEK Athens.

Italy

8. Juventus Stadium

Opened only four years ago, Juventus' new stadium may be small compared to others we have already seen (41, 000) but what it lacks in size it makes up for in appearance. You should hope so too after it cost €120 million to build.

9. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza / San Siro

One of the most famous stadiums in all of Europe, and most unique, the San Siro as it is more commonly known is home to both giants of Milan. Both Inter and A. C. are going through a tough time at the moment but there 80, 000 seater stadium will never stop being impressive.

Macedonia

10. Philip II Arena

The first of the real minnow countries to feature as of yet. Macedonia's national stadium may only hold 33, 000 but that doesn't make it any less stunning. They might not have the most successful national team, but there is no doubt the Philip II Arena is worthy of its place in this article.

Monaco

11. Stade Louis II

It would be hard not to build a beautiful stadium in this part of the world, but nevertheless, Ligue 1 side Monaco did it. It is the smallest on the list, holding only 18, 500, but just like the stadium above, Stade Louis II certainly shows size doesn't always matter.

Netherlands

12. Amsterdam ArenA

Home to Dutch side Ajax, the 53, 000 seater Amsterdam ArenA is a beautiful stadium. Not that this comes as any real surprise given that Ajax are known for their eye catching style of play and equally as attractive kit.

Portugal

13. Estadio da Luz

Not that Sunderland's own 'Stadium of Light' is an eye-sore, but when comapred to Benfica's stunning 65, 000 capacity home, it simpley pales in significance.

Republic of Ireland

14. Aviva Stadium

Ireland's preference towards rugby hasn't stopped them building a fantastic looking stadium. Home to the Irish national team, the Aviva stadium holds 51, 000 and is far from out of place on this list.

Romania

15. Arena Națională

Another surprise inclusion I would imagine. Romania's footballing prowess is far from revered, but regardless of their ability, the national team along, with Bucharest's two local teams (Steaua and Dinamo), have one of the most impressive stadiums in Europe.

Like Juventus' it was opened in 2011, but unlike the Italian side it holds around 15, 000 more (55, 000) and cost double the amount to build, a massive €235. 5 million to be precise.

Russia

16. Luzhniki Stadium

Russia stealing the 2018 World Cup from England was hard to take (especially as given recent developments they most likely bribed their way to getting it) but despite the weather and long distance travel likely to prove problematic, with stadiums like this, at least the venues are impressive.

The Luzhniki stadium holds 78, 000 and should Russia keep the World Cup, it has already been chosen as the venue for the all important final.

Spain

17. Camp Nou

Spain don't actually have a national stadium, but with stadiums like this knocking about, why would they need one? With a 99, 000 capacity it's the largest stadium in Europe, let alone Spain.

The stadium tour is amazing but surely no match for actually watching a game. If you get the chance to go, take it. The stadium is a must-see and don't forget they've got some guy called Messi whose supposed to be decent at kicking the ball.

18. Santiago Bernabéu

Another amazing Spanish stadium, slap bang in the city centre my old Spanish teacher told me it was like an Alien spaceship had landed in Madrid.

Despite being smaller than the Camp Nou, it's 85, 000 capacity is larger than most other stadiums. Goals are guaranteed when you go to the Bernabéu and just as Barcelona have Messi as their star attraction, the opportunity to see CR7 in the flesh is reason enough to give it a visit.

Sweden

19. Friends Arena

Home to the Swedish national team and league side AIK, the cheerfully named Friends Arena holds 50, 000 people inside. It has a retactable roof and even though it can hold 65, 000 for concerts, the 50, 000 football capacity is enough for it to be crowned the biggest stadium in the Nordic region.

Switzerland

20. Stade de Suisse / Wankdorf Bern

Despite the hilarious name (maybe it's just me) Wankdorf Bern may only hold 32, 000 but with the potential of night skies the same as this as well as an equally as attractive stadium to behold it from, it's well worth a visit should you find yourself in the country.

Ukraine

21. Olimpiyski National Sports Complex

Renovated and reopend in 2011, Ukraine's Olympic Stadium in Kiev holds up to 70, 000 and as you can see from the image above, it's huge capacity isn't the only reason for including it in this article.

United Kingdom

22. Wembley

Doesn't really need an introduction, does it? New Wembley and it's famous arch was opened in 2007 and is the 90, 000 seater home for the England national team. It also hosts the FA Cup semi-finals and finals, as well as all Football league play off finals too. The stadium of choice for all big ocassions.

23. Emirates Stadium

As an Arsenal fan myself I couldn't leave it out. But bias aside, there is no doubt the Emirates is one of, if not the most stunning stadium in England. It's 60, 000 capacity isn't the largest but with padded seats, a pristine pitch and mesmerising football played on top of it, the North London side's stadium is one of the best around.

24. Old Trafford

Impressive in terms of size, Old Trafford might not be the most modern stadium on the list but the history behind it on top of its 75, 000 capacity makes the Theatre of Dreams one of the best places to watch football.

25. Celtic Park

Whils Hampden Park plays host to the national team, Celtic park is home to one of the most famous teams around. Scottish football isn't the best by any means but on a Champions League night, or an Old Firm Derby for that matter, you'll be pressed to find a better atmosphere than the one this 60, 000 seater has to offer.

26. Millennium Stadium

In the absence of Wembley during its renovation, the Millennium stadium provided a more than adequate replacement for England's biggest matches. The 75, 000 seater stadium is more commonly used for Rugby games, but the Welsh football team also call it there home.

Fin

Your year abroad means you could end up in any of these places!

Even if you don’t it’s so easy to travel around Europe that should you get the chance to visit somewhere else, football fan or not, these incredible stadiums are a must see.

I hope you enjoyed the article and once again I apologise for having to leave some off. If you want, add your favourites in the comments below.

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