10 Beautiful and Unique Soccer Stadiums

When the phrase ‘beautiful stadium’ is mentioned, there are hundreds that could come to mind (too many to list here) . A stadium can be a creation of beauty in many ways, based on its location, surroundings, external facades, internal features or even its history. We take a look at some of the world’s most beautiful soccer stadiums.

Allianz Arena

Location: Munich, Germany
Capacity: 75,000

A stadium that really needs no introduction, Allianz Arena is home to Germany’s biggest club Bayern Munich. Constructed in under three years at a cost of approximately €340 million, the stadium was designed purely for football and opened in 2005 (in time to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup). The 75,000+ capacity venue consists of 106 VIP boxes, 28 kiosks, 2 fan-restaurants and a business club with 2,152 seats. Want to have a closer look? Click here for a virtual tour.

Without taking anything away from the modern internal features, the stadium’s external facade is equally impressive. Constructed from 2,874 Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) foil air panels which are inflated with dry air to a differential pressure of 3.5 Pa. From afar, the panels appear to be white, however when viewed up close, small dots can be seen on the panels. Each panel can be independently lit according to which home team is competing with white (Germany), red (Bayern Munich), or blue light (1860 Munich – no longer a tenant). Notable matches held here include the FIFA World Cup Semi-Final in 2006 between Portual (0) and France (1) and the opening game between Germany (4) and Costa Rica (2).

Maracana

Location: Rio de Janerio, Brazil
Capacity: 78,838 (199,854 record 1950)

Located in the Maracanã neighbourhood of Rio De Janeiro, the stadium is part of a complex that includes an arena known by the name of Maracanãzinho, which means “The Little Maracanã” in Portuguese. The stadium was opened in 1950 for the FIFA World Cup, in which Brazil was beaten 2-1 in the final by Uruguay in front of 199,854. The venue has held over 150,000 people 26 times, the last in 1983 as 155,253 spectators saw Flamengo beat Santos 3-0. The venue has also seen crowds of over 100,000 people 284 times. However, crowd numbers have decreased significantly over the time since seats replaced terraced sections and the renovations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup saw the capacity drop to 78,838 but remains the largest stadium in Brazil and the second largest in South America.

In 1992, an upper stand in the stadium collapsed during a Campeonato Brasileiro Série A match between Botafogo and Flamengo leading to the death of three and injuring another 50 spectators. Following this disaster, the decision was made to reduce the stadium’s capacity. In 1998, the venue classified a national landmark, meaning it could not be demolished and therefore only renovations could be made.

The stadium was also the primary stadium for the 2016 Rio Olympic games, hosting the opening and the closing ceremonies. Along with this, the venue has hosted numerous musical acts including Frank Sinatra performing in front of approximately 175,000 people in 1980, 1991’s Rock In Rio which saw acts such as Prince, Guns N’ Roses, George Michael and INXS fit the bill and more recently the Foo Fighters in 2015. The stadium is currently used mainly for major football matches and is the home of Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama.    

The Float

Location: Marina Bay, Singapore
Capacity: 30,000

Also known as the Marina Bar Floating Platform, this is the largest floating arena. Made entirely from steel, the venue measures 120 by 83 metres which is 5% larger than the soccer field at the Singapore National stadium and can bare up to 1,070 tonnes.
The stadium is the part of the turns 17 and 18 on the Marina Bay Street Circuit which hosts the Singapore Grand Prix. Although it was hoped that the Singapore national football team would play here, this is yet to happen and in fact it has not hosted any football above Sunday leagues (not bad for a Sunday league venue). It also plays host to, fireworks displays, parades, concerts and other public events.

Estadio BBVA Bancomer

Location: Guadalupe, Mexico
Capacity: 51,000 (2015 opening); 53,500 (2016 expansion)

Nicknamed “El Gigante de Acero” (Spanish for “The Steel Giant”), the stadium was built 2015 as the home of Monterrey in a controversial manner. Many believed (and still do) that its location in the Cerra de la Silla mountain will have a negative effect on the local wildlife.
The stadium is the fourth largest in Mexico consisting of grass surfaces, suites, a club-themed restaurant, a club lounge, and high-end interior and exterior design.
From an aesthetic perspective, the top tier of the stadium offers an incredible view of the nearby mountain, so if the game isn’t so great, at least spectators can appreciate the sights.

Central Coast Stadium

Location: Gosford, Australia
Capacity: 20,059

Originally built in 1999 with the intention of hosting the North Sydney Bears, Central Coast Stadium has hosted occasional rugby league games for South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Roosters and the Manly Sea-Eagles. However, the only current full-time tenant is A-League club, Central Coast Mariners. Although the stadium is the second smallest in the A-League, what it lacks in size, it makes up for in views. The southern end of the stadium provides spectators a view of Brisbane Water, filtered with tropical palm trees.

Estadio Municipal de Braga

Location: Braga, Portugal
Capacity: 30,268

Built in 2003 at a cost of €83 million for the 2004 European Chamionships, Estadio Municipal de Braga is an all-seater football stadium. It is the home of Sporting Clube de Braga and is the seventh largest football stadium in Portugal. Known as A Pedreira (The Quarry), the stadium is built into a cliff, taking advantage of the natural amphitheatre created by the hill’s slope. It’s two stands are held together by steel strings and while on of the goals backdrops overlooked the valley of River Cavardo and a cliff face at the other goal. The only way to access the stands is from a 5000 square metre plaza beneath the stadium.

Stade Louis II

Location: Fontvieille, Monaco
Capacity: 18,523

Predominantly used as a football venue and occasionally track and field, Stade Louise II is the home of AS Monaco and the Monaco national football team. If the coastal location in Fontvieille isn’t enough to impress, then the unique design of the stadium will. It consists of unusual internal facades and nine distinctive arches at the away end of the arena. Although the stadium is relatively small, it also features underground facilities such as a basketball court, aquatic centre and car park.

Providence Park

Location: Portland, Oregon
Capacity: 21,144 (expandable to 22,000)

Previously known as Jeld-Wen Field, PGE Park, Civic Stadium, and originally Multnomah Stadium, Providence Park is located in Goose Hollow neighbourhood of Portland, Oregon. It has existed as an undeveloped facility since 1893 and as a stadium since 1926. Although the size and capacity is relatively small, the stadium has maintained its historical features. It includes wooden benches and portions of the original stadium, while merging with modern facilities such as a concourse filled with food trucks, making the it one of the most unique venues in the United States.

Originally, used for minor league baseball games, the near almost 100-year-old venue has had its share of historical events including an Elvis concert and the first ever NFL overtime game. It is currently the home of soccer teams, Portland Timbers of the MLS and Portland Thorns FC of the NWSL.

AAMI Park

Location: Melbourne, Australia
Capacity: 30,050

Built in 2010 and located in the thriving Sports and Entertainment Precinct in Melbourne, AAMI Park is a multipurpose rectangular stadium used for sports such as football and rugby and is home to Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory (A-League) and also Melbourne Storm (National Rugby League) and Melbourne Rebels (Super Rugby).

The stadium resembles a cloud and features a bio-frame design, with a geodesic dome roof which covers much of the seating area. The required steel used to construct the roof was 50% less than a typical cantilever roof structure. Triangular panels used to build the roof are made up of a combination of glass, metal and louvres. Rainwater is harvested and stored from the roof. To add to the beauty of this environmentally friendly stadium, LED lights are featured on the external facade and can be programmed to display a variety of patterns and images.

Stadion Kantrida

Location: Rijeka, Croatia
Capacity: 10,600

Named after the neighbourhood in which it is located in, Stadion Kantrida is situated between step cliffs of an old quarry and the shores of the Adriatic Sea. The stadium has been home to HNK Rijeka for most years since 1946 with the Croatian national football team playing the occasional friendly. Sadly, these amazing views will not be as visible by spectators as the stadium will soon be demolished to make way for a new arena with an increased capacity of 14,438.