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From the electric atmosphere of "Paradise" to the iconic "Theatre of Dreams", some stadiums transcend sport itself. Join us as we count down our picks for the most impressive and historically significant arenas in world football! Which legendary ground do you consider the ultimate footballing cathedral? Let us know in the comments below!
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00:00When it comes to iconic football stadiums, it is impossible not to mention one distinct ground in Mexico City.
00:07Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 most impressive and historically significant stadiums
00:13in world football.
00:14A hundred years young, but with memories that are timeless.
00:21Number 10, Celtic Park. To the Celtic faithful, their iconic stadium is known affectionately as Paradise.
00:26Welcome to Paradise. We're going to go behind the scenes today of the best stadium tour in the UK.
00:32While it may live up to that nickname for the club's devoted fans, it has been a nightmare for many
00:36rivals and European adversaries over the years.
00:38But the tunnel we're about to walk down is the same tunnel that's been there for 94 years.
00:44So think of all the great players that have walked down this tunnel.
00:47Not just the great Celtic players over the years, but the great players from all around the world.
00:51The Glasgow divide between Celtic and Rangers is well documented, and over the years, the stadium at Parkhead has played
00:56host to some bona fide classics of Scottish football.
00:59Although the capacity sits at around 60,000, one infamous Old Firm Derby clash saw 83,500 people fit into
01:05the venue.
01:06An iconic stadium for its atmosphere and palpable passion.
01:09It's because of you guys. This is why we play football. This is why we play for this football club.
01:13Your support means absolutely everything.
01:15Number 9. Westfalenstadion
01:17Opened in 1974 for the FIFA World Cup held in West Germany, Dortmund's Westfalenstadion has become one of football's greatest
01:24stadiums.
01:24Officially known as Signal Iduna Park for sponsorship purposes, it is widely known for its legendary Yellow Wall, the largest
01:30single-tier standing terrace in European football.
01:33For any die-hard football fan, witnessing a game in this iconic venue is sure to provide you with one
01:37of the loudest and most passionate experiences around.
01:39As Dortmund's own stature grew within the footballing world, their iconic stadium's notoriety only grew with it.
01:44Number 8. Anfield
01:46Although modest in size compared to many modern super stadiums, Liverpool's Anfield is one of the game's great cathedrals of
01:52football.
01:52This is Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club since 1892.
01:59Plenty of memories and history here that's been etched into our mind over the years and generations.
02:05Until you've visited Anfield and heard the Liverpool faithful singing You'll Never Walk Alone at Full Belt, it's hard to
02:10say that you've had the full fan experience.
02:19The famous Cope stand has been a witness to several legendary moments over the years, led by a number of
02:24the most impressive managers and players in the business.
02:26Sure, it's just north of 60,000 people that can't compete with many of the other stadiums featured here, but
02:30Anfield is an undeniably special arena, make no mistake.
02:40Number 7. San Siro
02:42The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, commonly known as San Siro, is the most famous football stadium in Italy.
02:47When you think about San Siro, it's not just a stadium, it's like a monument here in Milan.
02:52It also has the distinction of being the most well-known arena in the sport to be shared by two
02:56major clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan.
02:58Football fans in Milan are incredibly proud of San Siro, they love the place.
03:02Many families, generations have come here to watch either Milan or Inter.
03:06Over the years, it has played host to major games at international and club level, including tournaments like the World
03:10Cup, Champions League and European Championships.
03:12Despite ongoing discussions about its eventual replacement, San Siro remains treasured for its atmosphere, history and unmistakable character, a fitting
03:19home for the two legendary teams that reside there.
03:31Number 6. Azteca Stadium
03:33There is no other stadium in world football that has hosted two separate World Cup finals.
03:37It was the setting for two finals that saw Bo Pele and Diego Maradona lifting the trophy.
03:43This is the Estadio Azteca.
03:45The Azteca Stadium is in a league of its own in that regard.
03:48The Mexican national team has indeed seen the capacity of their home venue cut down from nearly 115,000 to
03:54closer to 80,000 over the years.
03:59Even with the downgrades due to infrastructure concerns, it remains a giant within the grander context of the sport.
04:04Everything from the passion of its supporters and the increased altitude that comes with playing in Mexico City makes a
04:09trip to the stadium a pretty intimidating affair.
04:11You can't really describe it or understand it until you get there.
04:15Number 5. Old Trafford
04:16The stadium doesn't get a nickname like the Theater of Dreams without having some real history behind it.
04:20People travel from all over the world to visit Old Trafford, even on non-game days.
04:25Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton was the one who coined that name, and it arrived at the beginning of
04:30a long and decorated period for the club.
04:32Between the Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson eras, Old Trafford became one of the most famous stadiums in
04:37world football.
04:38One of the things that makes fan experience unique is the way each individual team's fans are used to collecting
04:45as a community.
04:46Where they sit in the stadium, how they conduct themselves when they're in the stadium around their team.
04:52Although it was heavily damaged during the Second World War, the ground was rebuilt and expanded into England's largest club
04:57football arena with a 74,500 person capacity.
05:00It falls behind only Wembley in the list of overall stadium sizes within the UK.
05:04Old Trafford is one of the most iconic assets in Manchester and in the UK.
05:10Number 4. Maracana Stadium
05:11When Maracana Stadium was opened in 1950 for that year's World Cup, it saw a record 210,850 people crammed
05:18inside for a showdown between Brazil and Uruguay.
05:21The Maracana Stadium is a special place.
05:23It was built in 1950 for a FIFA World Cup and was the largest stadium the world has ever seen.
05:29Though its capacity has since been dramatically reduced through seated areas replacing terraces, it has still held over 150,000
05:36people on 26 occasions.
05:37This iconic venue reopened its doors, giving the world its first glimpse of the stadium that will host the 2014
05:44FIFA World Cup Final.
05:46In 2014, it hosted its second World Cup Final, becoming one of only a handful of world stadiums to do
05:51so.
05:52Given Brazil's status in the sport as the holder of one of the most culturally rich footballing traditions in the
05:56world, it is only fitting that they possess one of the game's great stadiums.
06:00But playing here is different. It's very different.
06:04Number 3. Wembley Stadium
06:05Although a sporting ground at its core, Wembley Stadium is so much more.
06:08This is Wembley. An iconic stadium whose hallowed turf is steeped in history.
06:15Once called the Cathedral of Football by the Great Pele.
06:20Some of the greatest athletes, musicians and public figures of the last hundred years have made their mark on this
06:24London venue.
06:25Even as it was rebuilt and reopened in the same location in 2007, the sheer weight of this stadium's history
06:30is undeniable.
06:31Some of the biggest games, concerts, fights and cultural events have been held at the new and old Wembleys.
06:35When you step under the arch, anyone can hope, believe, belong, escape.
06:44While it lacks the century-long history of its predecessor, modern Wembley successfully inherited its immense prestige.
06:50With its 90,000-person capacity, it's the United Kingdom's biggest stadium and one of the largest in all of
06:54Europe.
06:55But nothing matches the magnitude of a moment made here.
06:59Wembley Stadium.
07:02Where it will always matter more.
07:042. Santiago Bernabéu
07:07Since opening in 1947, the Santiago Bernabéu has been inseparable from Real Madrid's extraordinary rise into one of world football's
07:14most successful clubs.
07:15Real Madrid has won more Champions League titles than any other football team.
07:20It has over half a billion online followers around the world.
07:24Voted best club of the 20th century by FIFA.
07:27Named after the president who transformed Madrid into a global powerhouse,
07:30the stadium has hosted countless historic victories in several iconic teams.
07:34There's Ronaldo!
07:35There's El Hendrik!
07:37Despite being such an old and revered venue, it underwent some major changes in the 2020s,
07:42redeveloping it into one of the world's most technologically advanced sporting venues.
07:45Its retractable roof and even its retractable pitch are making it a trailblazer when it comes to innovation and state
07:50-of-the-art design.
07:51The legend of Real Madrid grows with this dream come true.
07:56Building a trailblazing stadium worthy of what many consider to be the best football club in the world.
08:03Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
08:07La Bombonera, legendary for its steep stands and wild atmosphere.
08:11Allianz Arena, one of the most eye-catching exteriors in world football.
08:15El Monumental, the legendary home of Argentinian giants River Plate.
08:19Estadio Centenario, a stadium with deep ties to early World Cup history.
08:24Olympia Stadion Berlin, one of Europe's most iconic multi-purpose football venues.
08:28The Olympic Stadium in Berlin, viewed from any angle.
08:33From close in or further back, it's very evident that this is no run-of-the-mill sporting arena.
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08:53Number 1. Camp Nou.
08:55The stadium that has been a home for legends like Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi,
08:58Johan Cruyff, Ronaldinho, and more was always going to be in the discussion for the top spot.
09:03Camp Nou is often the first stadium that springs to mind when any discussion over global footballing arenas is brought
09:08up.
09:08Its immense scale, steep stands, and intense atmosphere have been playing mind games with Barcelona's opponents for decades now.
09:14With new renovation plans in place for the near future, it is expected to reach a capacity of around 105
09:18,000 when complete.
09:20In many ways, it's the gold standard for stadiums.
09:22And by the sound of things, when the dust settles, it may end up becoming even better.
09:25What do you consider to be football's ultimate stadium?
09:27Let us know in the comments below.