Key Takeaways European football stadiums produce some of the most special atmospheres across all sports.
Historic stadiums like Anfield and Ibrox are among the most intimidating on the continent.
Camp Nou and Old Trafford are also able to create incredible environments when at their best. ✕ Remove Ads
It’s easy to think that only the truly elite clubs will always win when it comes to the Champions League knockout stages. However, time and again, that’s proven not to be the case. Take Borussia Dortmund, for example. At the start of the 2023-24 season, not many would have tipped them to get out of their group of death, let alone go all the way to the final.
There are several mitigating factors that can impact a result. One of those is the strength of the 12th man. Stadiums that are able to create the most unsettling of atmospheres can sometimes give their players the edge on the toughest of nights. With that in mind, we’ve come up with a list of the 10 stadiums that produce the best atmosphere on European nights.
Best Stadium Atmosphere on European Nights Stadium Club Capacity 1. Signal Iduna Park Borussia Dortmund 81,365 2. Celtic Park Celtic 60,441 3. Anfield Liverpool 61,276 4. San Siro AC Milan & Inter Milan 75,817 5. Ibrox Rangers 51,700 6. RAMS Park Galatasaray 52,600 7. Stadio Olimpico AS Roma & Lazio 72,698 8. Camp Nou Barcelona 99,354 9. Tupras Stadyumu Besiktas 42,590 10. Old Trafford Manchester United 74,310
Related 10 Most Intimidating Stadiums in British Football History [Ranked] From the iconic Upton Park to the world famous Anfield, here are the most intimidating stadiums in British football history.
10 Old Trafford
Manchester United
Old Trafford might be falling down – according to many people sat in the tight away corner of the stadium – but when Manchester United are in full flow, the only thing causing the roof to fall off the stadium is the fans. The Theatre of Dreams may not be in the best condition right now, and supporters in the Stretford End may not have had a lot to sing about in recent times but, at its best, there’s little like it.
If development plans for a new stadium go ahead, it will most definitely be the end of an era. However, the club will be keen to embody the spirit that was created inside the four stands that have survived World Wars and even Louis van Gaal’s style of play.
9 Tupras Stadyumu
Besiktas
At the Tupras Stadyumu, Besiktas fans are renowned for their deafening support, creating an atmosphere so intense that Timo Werner once requested a substitution during a match there because the noise made him dizzy during his time at RB Leipzig. The striker even tried wearing earplugs to block out the overwhelming cacophony, but the relentless cheers proved impossible to ignore.
The Tupras Stadyumu was inaugurated in April 2016, and merely a month later, Besiktas secured the Turkish Super Lig title on its very grounds. Its picturesque setting may make it seem serene and relaxing, but inside, the stadium is anything but when the roar of the Besiktas fan base is heard loud and clear.
Related Ranking the 11 Best Stadium Atmospheres in World Football Crowds can have a huge impact in football and help to drive their team towards victory. Here are the best stadium atmospheres in world football.
8 Camp Nou
Barcelona
With a capacity of nearly 100,000, Camp Nou is the largest stadium in European football and home to one of the most successful clubs in the world. Over the years, the Barcelona faithful have witnessed some of the greatest teams ever to grace the pitch, but they’ve never been passive spectators. The fans consistently bring their energy, passion, and unwavering support, ensuring they play a crucial role in the atmosphere.
As if the sight of that many supporters cheering and singing wasn’t enough, the stadium also amplifies the crowd noise with speakers, further intensifying the atmosphere. Opponents better be ready to think telepathically, as the roar from the stands can drown out everything else. Camp Nou’s sheer scale and the fervor of its supporters make it one of the most daunting places for any team to play.
7 Stadio Olimpico
AS Roma & Lazio
Italy’s second-largest stadium, the Stadio Olimpico, is an imposing venue that presents a tough challenge for any visiting team. Shared by both Lazio and AS Roma, it becomes a cauldron of passion and intensity on match days as the fans of each club bring their fervor to the stands. While the stadium’s running track does place some distance between supporters and the action on the field, slightly reducing the close-up intensity seen in more compact venues, it doesn’t stop the fans from filling the air with relentless chants and creating a Colosseum-esque atmosphere.
The broad, sweeping curves of the Olimpico, known as the