Europe’s Top 10 Largest Sports Stadiums

Explore the monumental arenas that define Europe’s sporting landscape as we unveil the continent’s Top 10 Largest Sports Stadiums. From historic football grounds to state-of-the-art arenas, these stadiums stand as iconic symbols of Europe’s passion for sports. Join us on a journey through grandeur and athleticism, as we showcase the vastness and spectacle of Europe’s premier sporting venues.

Located in Barcelona, Spain, Camp Nou stands as the largest sports stadium in Europe, renowned for its grandeur and capacity. A significant number of Europe’s top ten largest sports stadiums have been venues for pivotal football (soccer) matches, reflecting the continent’s deep-rooted passion for the sport. Additionally, several of these stadiums have also had the honor of hosting the Olympics, further cementing their status as iconic sporting landmarks.

Throughout history, Europeans have demonstrated a fervent passion for sports, a tradition dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who packed grand stadiums for major athletic spectacles. Present-day Europe boasts some of the world’s largest sports stadiums, capable of accommodating nearly 100,000 spectators. Primarily devoted to football (soccer), Europe’s vast stadiums serve as the epicenter of the continent’s most beloved sport. Yet, many of these iconic venues have also hosted a diverse array of major sporting events, including the Olympics.

Here, we present ten of Europe’s largest sports stadiums, each capable of welcoming capacity crowds and embodying the continent’s enduring love affair with sports.

1. 1. 1. 1. Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain – 99,354
         2. Wembley Stadium, London, UK – 90,000
         3. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain – 84,744
         4. Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland – 82,300
         5. Twickenham Stadium, London, UK – 82,000
         6. Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany – 81,359
         7. Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia – 81,000
         8. Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – 80,698
         9. San Siro (Giuseppe Meazza Stadium), Milan, Italy – 80,000
         10. Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey – 76,761

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1. Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain – 99,354

Camp Nou, located in Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia in Spain, holds the distinction of being Europe’s largest sports stadium by capacity. With seating for up to 99,354 spectators, this iconic venue first opened its doors in 1957, following its construction that began in 1954.

Over the years, Camp Nou has undergone significant renovations, enhancing its facilities in 1995 and 2008. Presently, additional renovations are underway, slated for completion in 2022, aimed at expanding the stadium’s capacity to accommodate 105,000 fans.

Home to one of Europe’s most revered football teams, FC Barcelona, Camp Nou has hosted a plethora of prestigious events, including five matches of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 1992 Summer Olympics, two UEFA Champions League finals, and five UEFA Super Cup finals.

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2. Wembley Stadium, London, England – 90,000

Wembley Stadium, with a capacity of 90,000, stands proudly in London, England. This modern venue succeeded its predecessor of the same name, which was completely demolished in 2003.

The new stadium opened its doors in 2007, featuring the remarkable Wembley Archway, the world’s longest unsupported roof.

As the iconic home ground of England’s national football team, Wembley Stadium has also played host to prestigious events such as the UEFA Champions League finals in 2011 and 2013, as well as the gold medal football match of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

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3. Santiago Barnabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain – 84,744

Located in Madrid, the heart of Spain, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium boasts a seating capacity of 84,744, securing its place as the second largest stadium in Spain and the third across Europe. Serving as the iconic home ground for Real Madrid, one of Europe’s foremost football clubs, the stadium was erected between 1944 and 1947, undergoing renovations in 1982 and 2001.

The club introduced a retractable roof to the iconic Bernabeu after spending a record $1.27 billion on renovation (2019 – 2023), which has increased the capacity of the stadium from 81,044 to 84,744, without eroding its core identity.

Throughout its illustrious history, it has been the distinguished venue for four UEFA Champions League Finals held in 1957, 1969, 1980, and 2010, while also playing a pivotal role in hosting matches during the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

4. Croke Park, Ireland – 82,300

Croke Park, Europe’s third-largest sports stadium, is located in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, boasting a capacity of 82,300.

This historic venue has been hosting sporting events since 1880. Serving as the home ground for both the Irish national football and rugby teams, Croke Park holds a special place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts.

In 1961, it witnessed its largest-ever crowd when 90,556 fans flocked to the venue to witness the All-Ireland football final.

5. Twickenham Stadium, England – 82,000

Located in southwest London, Twickenham Stadium is Europe’s fifth-largest sports arena, accommodating up to 82,000 spectators. Originally inaugurated in 1907, the stadium underwent extensive renovations between 1990 and 2008 to expand its seating capacity.

Unlike its counterparts on this list, Twickenham was purpose-built for rugby rather than football. Owned by the Rugby Football Union, it serves as the esteemed home ground for England’s national rugby squad.

Additionally, Twickenham Stadium is home to the World Rugby Museum, further solidifying its status as a revered hub of rugby heritage and excellence.

6. Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany – 81,359