21. FNB Stadium (Soccer City) – Johannesburg, South Africa – 94,736
Home of Kaizer Chiefs and the South African national team. Hosted the 2010 World Cup final (Spain 1-0 Netherlands). Nicknamed “The Calabash” for its pot-like design.
20. Rose Bowl – Pasadena, USA – 92,542
Primarily American football, but hosted the 1994 World Cup final (Brazil 0-0 Italy, Brazil win on pens) and 1999 Women’s World Cup final.
19. Borg El Arab Stadium – Alexandria, Egypt – 92,000
Egypt’s national stadium. Hosted the 2019 AFCON final and multiple Al Ahly vs Zamalek clashes.
18. Bukit Jalil National Stadium – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 91,700
Malaysia’s national stadium. Hosted the 2018 AFF Championship final and SEA Games football.
17. Azadi Stadium – Tehran, Iran – 91,000
Home of Persepolis and Esteghlal — the Tehran derby here is pure insanity.
16. Gelora Bung Karno Stadium – Jakarta, Indonesia – 90,000
Indonesia’s national stadium. Hosted the 2018 Asian Games final and multiple AFF Championship matches.
15. Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) – Beijing, China – 91,000
Built for 2008 Olympics, hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics opening, and occasional China national team games.
14. Stade 5 Juillet – Algiers, Algeria – 90,000
Home of Algeria national team and MC Alger. Hosted the 1990 African Cup of Nations final.
13. MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, USA – 88,623
Hosts New York Giants and Jets (NFL), but will host 2026 World Cup final and multiple matches.
12. Luzhniki Stadium – Moscow, Russia – 87,000
Hosted 2018 World Cup final (France 4-2 Croatia) and 2008 Champions League final (Man United vs Chelsea).
11. Wembley Stadium – London, England – 90,000
The “Home of Football”. Hosted Euro 2020 final, 2011 & 2013 Champions League finals, and every England home game.
10. Camp Nou – Barcelona, Spain – 99,354 (105,000 after 2026 renovation)
Europe’s largest club stadium. Hosted 1999 Champions League final comeback and countless Messi magic moments.
9. Soccer City (FNB Stadium) – Johannesburg, South Africa – 94,736
Already listed at #21, but its 2010 World Cup final makes it double-worthy.
8. Estadio Azteca – Mexico City, Mexico – 87,523
Hosted two World Cup finals (1970 Brazil 4-1 Italy, 1986 Argentina 3-2 West Germany – Maradona’s “Hand of God”). Will host 2026 matches.
7. Maracanã – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 78,838 (official, feels 100k+)
Hosted 1950 and 2014 World Cup finals. The “Maracanazo” (Uruguay 2-1 Brazil 1950) still haunts Brazil.
6. Signal Iduna Park – Dortmund, Germany – 81,365
Home of the Yellow Wall – the loudest, most intimidating atmosphere in Europe. 25,000 standing on the Süd tribune.
5. Santiago Bernabéu – Madrid, Spain – 81,044 (85,000 after 2025 renovation)
Real Madrid’s cathedral. Hosted 4 Champions League finals. The new retractable roof and 360° screen are game-changers.
4. Michigan Stadium – Ann Arbor, USA – 107 Thea,601
Primarily college American football, but holds the record for highest attendance at a soccer match: 109,318 for Manchester United vs Real Madrid (2014 ICC).
3. Rungrado 1st of May Stadium – Pyongyang, North Korea – 114,000
World’s largest stadium by capacity. Used for mass games and occasional North Korea matches.
2. Salt Lake Stadium – Kolkata, India – 120,000
Home of Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, and the Kolkata derby — one of the fiercest rivalries on earth.
1. Camp Nou (after 2026 renovation) – Barcelona, Spain – 105,000
The Espai Barça project will make it the largest football-specific stadium in the world by 2026. Current capacity 99,354 — soon to be 105,000 with a full roof and 360° screen.
Conclusion
Size isn’t everything, but these cathedrals of football create atmospheres no TV can replicate. From the Yellow Wall to the Maracanã, from the new Camp Nou to the Bird’s Nest, they’re where history is made.
Which stadium is on your bucket list? Which has the best atmosphere? Drop your take in the comments – I reply to every one!
Disclaimer: Capacities from official sources, November 2025. See our Privacy Policy for details.
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