In football, it is often the players, managers and even fans who are discussed the most, and the football stadiums are forgotten. These magnificent arenas, where supporters go to worship their team every week, are pivotal to the sport. Sometimes these stadiums are old, ugly, and falling apart, but certain venues are works of art.
With this in mind, here are the most beautiful football stadiums in history, ranked from ten to one.
Ranking Factors
Design
History
Overall Aesthetics
10 Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Team: Real Madrid
Opened in 1947, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.
Home to one of the most successful teams of all time, Real Madrid, the Santiago Bernabeu has seen some incredible moments, and legendary players. The stadium itself is ever getting more remarkable, with a five-year renovation between 2019 and 2024 improving the stadium further. Adding more seats, redesigning the exterior, and inputting a state-of-the-art retractable pitch and roof, there are few stadiums like the Santiago Bernabeu.
An arena every football fan would love to visit, the home of Real Madrid is an unbelievable venue.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium Statistics Year Opened 1947 Capacity 85,000
9 Allianz Arena
Team: Real Madrid
An incredible stadium, home to Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena is a beautiful stadium.
Inside, the picturesque pitch and seat designs leave fans in awe, with a large Bayern badge printed on the seats, which stands out from a mile away. Yet perhaps the most amazing part of the Allianz Arena is the exterior. Designed by the architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, the stadium features 2,800 air cushions, which have LED lights underneath and can display 16 million different colours. On a match day, the stadium lights up red, which is a sight to behold.
A beautiful stadium, home to one of the world’s best teams, the Allianz Arena is a unique and mesmerising arena.
Allianz Arena Statistics Year Opened 2005 Capacity 75,024
8 Wembley Stadium
Team: England
After deciding to leave the old Wembley, England had to create a venue fit for an ever-improving nation, which would also be hosting international tournaments and domestic cup finals.
A huge stadium, the largest in the United Kingdom, Wembley Stadium stands out from miles away, and the iconic arch which goes over the stadium adds to the spectacle. The beauty of the stadium is hard to incredible, but the size and magic really add to the beauty.
With a perfect playing surface, which requires constant care and attention, Wembley Stadium always looks pristine and is already a legendary arena.
Wembley Stadium Statistics Year Opened 2007 Capacity 90,000
Related Every England Defeat at The New Wembley Wembley Stadium re-opened in March 2007 and is England’s home venue. We list every time the Three Lions have lost in competitive games since then.
7 Birds Nest Stadium
Team: China
Perhaps less iconic than some of the other stadiums, the Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing is truly beautiful.
Opened for the 2008 Olympics, but now being home to the Chinese football team, the Birds Nest Stadium features a unique design, which makes it stand out among the rest.