In the world of sports, stadiums are often revered for their grandeur and historical significance, but some manage to stand out for reasons beyond their sporting events. From a stadium shaped like a crocodile to one where you can’t face the pitch, these architectural quirks are sure to bring a grin. So, grab a ticket for a rollercoaster ride through the wacky world of sports stadiums, where design meets delight, and sometimes leaves you scratching your head.
A “jawsome” stadium – Bursa Büyükşehir Belediye Stadyumu (Timsah Arena):
Location: Bursa, Turkey
Capacity: 43,761
Bursa Büyükşehir Belediye Stadyumu or more commonly known as Timsah Arena, (literally translating to Crocodile Arena) is home to Bursaspor of the Süper Lig (Turkey’s top flight football league). The actual reason for the design is because Bursaspor’s nickname is ‘The Green Crocodiles’. Because nothing says team spirit like a giant reptilian mascot!
Guangdong’s Rainbow Ribbon – Guangdong Stadium:
Location: Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
Capacity: 80,012
Built in 2001, China’s Guangdong Stadium is mainly used for football and athletics, and is the largest in China by capacity. The bizarre design of the stadium consists of a ribbon-like roof which seems like much more work to built and just as confusing to look at! If the roof doesn’t throw you off, the multi-coloured seat design will. The seats consist of a pattern which resembles the ribbon-like roof with each section a different colour. The overall design is intended to resemble the layers of petals on a flowers, to honour Guangdong’s nickname the Flower City.
The Seafaring Stadium – Estadio Algarve:
Location: São João da Venda, Algarve, Portugal
Capacity: 30,305
Orignally built with the intention to host matches for Euro 2004, Estadio Algarve is loacted approximately half way between Faro and Loulé. Although there are no permanent tenants at the venue other than occasional Portugal football matches, the stadium’s unique design maintains its relevance. Drawing from Portugal’s maritime history, the stadium’s architects used local culture to determine the stadium’s design. Estadio Algarve resembles a yacht, with masts in each corner and a semi-transparent cloth stretched over the arched roofs. You can almost feel the sea breeze while watching the game, it’s definitely a unique nautical experience.
Shop and Score – Voždovac Stadium:
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Capacity: 5,200
Opened in 2013, the home of Voždovac Belgrade is built on top of a shopping centre. This is one of the few rooftop stadiums in the world. Shops underneath include McDonald’s, KFC and a Supermarket. Where else can you combine a weekly shop with a game of football? Although Voždovac Belgrade are not one of the bigger clubs in Serbia, if they ever make the Champions or Europa league, they will be able to play their home games here because it meets UEFA’s regulations.
Dizzying Heights – Estadio Hernando Siles:
Location: Avenida Saavedra, La Paz, Bolivia
Capacity: 41,143
Located in the Miraflores borough of La Paz, the stadium doesn’t make the list for it’s strange features, but more for its location. It sits a whopping 3,637 metres above sea level, making it one of the highest stadiums in the world. The air is so thin, fans often have trouble cheering for their team. Imagine how the away team feels! The altitude once famously caused Lionel Messi to vomit on the pitch while playing for Argentina during their 1-1 draw in 2013.
The Grandstand Grand Puzzle – Mmabatho Stadium:
Location: Mahikeng, South Africa
Capacity: 59,000
Designed and built during the apartheid in 1981, the stadium was constructed by an Israeli firm. Despite the large capacity (5th largest in South Africa), Mmabatho is significantly low in demand, with no permanent tenants other than a local university for training purposes and the occasional exhibition match. The low popularity might be explained by the bizarre design of the venue where spectators must sit on angled blocks making up the grandstand which don’t necessarily face the pitch. It’s like watching a game from the world’s largest Tetris game! Perfect for fans who love a challenge while watching a match.
The One-Sided Affair – Kassam Stadium:
Location: Oxford, UK
Capacity: 12,500
The small stadium, home to Oxford United Football Club since 2001 is also known as ‘Grenoble Road’ due to geographical reasons. Kassam stadium is a bizarre three-sided stadium (rather than the conventional four sides). The ‘missing’ side of the stadium (positioned behind one of the goals) is actually a car-park. In theory, this would be ideal for those who would prefer to drive up to the pitch and watch the match from the comfort of their car, however, there is a barrier, which won’t allow this. The construction crew must have gone on strike.
The World’s Giant Toy – Estádio Municipal de Aveiro:
Location: Aveiro, Portugal
Capacity: 30,127
Built in 2003 for the European Championship, the design of this stadium is quite conventional. However, what makes it unique is an array of vibrant colours, shapes and patterns throughout the whole venue resembling a giant toy. Even when empty, it looks like there is a party in the stadium and everyone (until capacity is reached) is invited.
Pancho’s Arboreal Arena – Pancho Arena:
Location: Felcsút, Hungary
Capacity: 3,816
There may only be 3,400 seats in Hungary’s Pancho Arena, but this outdoor stadium that opened in 2014 lets you see the elements in every seat. The soccer venue prides itself on organic architecture, using timber as the primary building material and creating a roof canopy that looks like trees by having the roof supports arc up and branch outward, cantilevering over the seats. The structure used roughly 1,000 tons of wood—largely pine beams—to vault the interior of the stadium in perhaps the most organic-minded stadium in the world, it’s like watching a game in the heart of the forest.
Eco-Friendly (Literally) Janguito Malucelli:
Location: Curitiba, Brazil
Capacity: 6,000
Commonly known as J. Malucelli, this one of a kind eco stadium is the first of its type in Brazil. Although many stadiums claim to be environmentally friendly, J. Malucelli takes the meaning to a whole new level with grass covered seats and recycled timber used for the construction, making it the only stadium where fans can literally watch the grass grow during a game. If you are into modern sports facilities, you probably won’t be a fan of this venue.
Taiwan’s Floating Fortress – National Stadium:
In the heart of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, there exists a stadium that’s more dragon than den – The National Stadium. It’s so big that it’s the go-to place for all kinds of sports, especially football. When this dragon awakens, it doesn’t just stretch its wings; it welcomes a roaring crowd of 55,000 fans. Whether it’s football matches or other sporting events, this dragon’s den can accommodate it all. The National Stadium isn’t just about kicking goals; it’s about scoring big in sustainability. With 1 MW of solar cells, they not only provide all the power needed for the stadium’s operation but also have some extra to share with the grid.
Location: Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Capacity: 55,000
Bird’s Nest and Water Cube – Beijing’s Olympic Oddities:
In Beijing, the Olympic spirit extended to stadium designs. The Bird’s Nest, or Beijing National Stadium, and the Water Cube, or National Aquatics Center, both have designs that take inspiration from everyday objects. The Bird’s Nest looks like, well, a giant bird’s nest, and the Water Cube resembles, you guessed it, a cube made of bubbles. Perfect for fans with a penchant for the whimsical.
Location: Beijing, China
Capacity: 80,000
Location: Beijing, China
Capacity: 6,000
These stadiums are not just venues for sports; they’re architectural masterpieces and unexpected adventures that add an extra layer of fun to the game. From crocodile-themed arenas to tree-inspired canopies, they prove that sports and creativity go hand in hand. So, the next time you’re watching a match, spare a thought for the designers who brought these whimsical wonders to life.