If you’re a soccer fan, 2024 has been an unforgettable year. The calendar has already given followers plenty of high-profile competitions and fixtures to enjoy, including the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium in London. Spanish La Liga kings Real Madrid continued their European dominance by beating German opponents Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in a thrilling final. Blancos are now 15-time champions, beating their record.
When the club soccer campaign ended, the international scene took over. We had the European Championships in Germany and the Summer Olympic Games in France. The Spanish winning streak continued, with Spain clinching both the Euro 2024 trophy and the gold medal in Paris. England began Euro 2024 as the betting favorites with the best California sportsbooks, but the Three Lions came up short. England has now lost in the final of the last two Euros and hopes to go one better when the competition returns in 2028, with the United Kingdom providing the backdrop.
You may think that’s enough soccer for this year, but a packed schedule shows there’s plenty more to come. The English Premier League is back as Manchester City aims to tighten their grip on the division. In Spain, Real Madrid plays to keep fierce rivals Barcelona at arm’s length, while Bayern Munich plans to return to the top of the German Bundesliga. The Champions League is back on our screens with a brand-new format later this month, and fans expect the most competitive renewal yet.
Combined passions
Europe is home to some of the world’s most famous teams and the biggest stadiums. Soccer fans worldwide flock to the continent each year to see major venues and watch star-studded teams battle for glory. How many of Europe’s biggest soccer arenas have you visited in the past? If you’re a fan of the beautiful game and wish to tick off some venues from your sports bucket list, this article is designed to help. Our content team and sports fans combine two passions: travel and soccer.
We list Europe’s five biggest stadiums, and with such a busy upcoming schedule between now and the end of the year, 2024 is the best time to visit. There’s something for everyone, from the largest stadium in Spain to the jewel in the crown of British soccer. By the end of this page, you’ll have a list ready to work through, allowing you to combine European vacations and business trips with the excitement of enjoying top-tier live soccer. You can visit the grounds on matchdays to watch the teams in action or choose to take a tour on non-matchdays for behind-the-scenes access.
Camp Nou
Home to Barcelona FC, the Camp Nou is Europe’s biggest soccer stadium, boasting a capacity of 99,34. Opened in 1957, the stadium has undergone many facelifts and improvements over the years, and today, it stands as the planet’s most renowned soccer venue.
Not ready to sit back and enjoy the scenery just yet, Camp Nou is preparing another upgrade, dubbed Espai Barca. Major facility upgrades will soon increase the capacity to 105,000, ensuring it remains a global superpower for generations to come.
Wembley Stadium
Located in the heart of London, England, Wembley Stadium is another iconic soccer stadium. Home to the England international team, it has hosted some of the world’s best players over the years. Wembley also decides the FA Cup final and EFL Cup final every season, while women’s international matches often fill the 90,000-seater capacity.
The original Wembley Stadium, known as the Empire Stadium, was demolished in 2003, and the current arena opened in 2007. It was certainly worth the wait. Wembley is easily accessible by London’s public transport links and attracts over two million visitors each year. Is the London landmark on your soccer wish list?
Signal Iduna Park
We visit Germany for Europe’s third-largest soccer stadium, Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. With an 81,365 capacity, it’s home to Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund, and visitors will enjoy a truly electrifying atmosphere when watching Dortmund play Bundesliga and Champions League games there.
The stadium was built in 1974 for the FIFA World Cup and has been improved several times since, ensuring it remains safe, modern, and hi-tech. The stadium’s South Stand is the largest terrace for standing fans in all of Europe, and it really must be seen to be believed. Often referred to as the Yellow Wall, it can accommodate almost 25,000 cheering and passionate Dortmund supporters.
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
We return to Spain for the fourth addition to our list of Europe’s five largest soccer stadiums. Home to record La Liga and Champions League winners Real Madrid, the stadium can accommodate 81,044 spectators and often attracts a full house.
Opened in 1947, the Bernabeu is one of the most famous European sports venues. It has hosted many classic games, including no fewer than four European Cup finals and the 1982 World Cup final. Attend this year, and you’re sure to see another thriller. A must-visit for any serious soccer fan, the Bernabeu is one of sport’s most sophisticated and instantly recognizable grounds.
San Siro
If you follow Italian soccer and the Serie A, you’ll already know just how important the San Siro in Milan is to the game’s history and future. With an 80,018 capacity, it is Italy’s premier soccer stadium and the home of AC Milan and Inter Milan, two of Italy’s biggest sporting rivals. As any soccer enthusiast knows, the Milan Derby is a real standout fixture on the European sport’s schedule.
Famous for its steep stands, the San Siro creates an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams and their supporters. Opened in 1926, it has hosted some great moments, including World Cup games, Champions League finals, and many Serie A grudge matches. In recent years, there have been whispers about replacing the San Siro with a new and more modern stadium. If that does prove to be the case, Italian sport will lose a special piece of its heritage.
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