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20 Football Stadiums you Should Visit at Least Once in Your Lifetime

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Football: the most known, practised and followed sport in the world. Everybody on this planet played it at least once. It can be played everywhere, but the atmosphere that football stadiums are able to provide is something unique. Here it is the list of the best 20 football stadiums in the world , that every football lover should visit at least once in his life.

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1- Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy

“Juve has always been a wonderful painting, and a wonderful painting needs a wonderful frame like this”.

A Walk of Fame  honours the 50 most representative players of Juventus’ history. Juventus is also the first football team to have a dedicated docu-reality on Netflix, called First Team: Juventus.

Among the most heartfelt rivalries, we find those with Torino FC, ACF Fiorentina, AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano.

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2 – Vodafone Park, Istanbul, Turkey

If you think about Beşiktaş JK ‘s Vodafone Park, one of the noisiest football stadiums in the world, the first thing that comes to your mind is the support of local fans.

It currently holds the world record of decibels produced during a game: 141. THIS noise IS even higher than that of an airplane during take-off.

For more information about this, ask Timo Werner , RB Leipzig’s striker. He asked to be substituted during a UEFA Champions League game due to the noise produced by the stadium.

Among the rivals, the main ones are Fenerbahçe SK and Galatasaray AŞ. These teams, together with Beşiktaş JK, represent the main clubs of the country.

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3 – Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay

Estadio Centenario is definitely one of the football stadiums that every football lover must visit. This name so particular comes from the fact that the stadium was inaugurated exactly 100 years after the proclamation of the first Constitution of Uruguay, which took place in 1830.

Nowadays it hosts the home games of Club Atlético Peñarol , the most important team in Uruguay.

Historically, this stadium hosted the 1930 FIFA World Cup Final, the first in history. Uruguay won 4-2 against Argentina.

As evidence of its importance, in 1983, FIFA proclaimed this facility as a World Football Monument. There are no other football stadiums that received such award.

4 – Azteca Stadium, Mexico City, Mexico

Azteca Stadium, also known as Coloso de Santa Úrsula, pays homage to the civilization of the Aztecs. Among football stadiums, t is the only one, together with Maracanã of Rio de Janeiro, that hosted two FIFA World Cup Finals (1970 and 1986).

It is the place where Diego Armando Maradona scored, in 1986, the most beautiful goal in the history of football .

It is also the football stadium where The Game of the Century  took place. Italy defeated West Germany 4-3 in the famous semi-final of the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Outside the stadium you may find a plaque commemorating this event:

“El Estadio Azteca rinde homenaje a las selecciones de: Italia (4) y Alemania (3) protagonistas en el Mundial de 1970, del “PARTIDO DEL SIGLO”. 17 de junio de 1970.”

(The Azteca Stadium pays homage to the National Teams of Italy (4) and Germany (3), who starred in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, the “Game of the Century”. June 17th, 1970.)

Nowadays, it hosts the home games of Club América and of the Mexico national football team.

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5 – Estádio do Sport Lisboa and Benfica, Lisbon, Portugal

This stadium is also known as Estádio Da Luz . It hosts the home games of SL Benfica , one of the most powerful clubs of the country, competing every year against FC Porto and Sporting Clube de Portugal.

It opened in 2003, with a friendly game between SL Benfica and Club Nacional de Futebol. It was the stage of the 2004 European Football Championships Final and of the 2013-2014 UEFA Champions League Final.

Among the various awards, the readers of the French newspaper L’équipe  voted it as the most beautiful among football stadiums in Europe, with 48% of preferences.

When you visit Estádio Da Luz, you must take a picture with the statue of the legend Eusébio , located outside the stadium. A whole section of SL Benfica’s museum pays homage to the Black Panther .

One of the peculiarities of this football stadium is that, before each game, an eagle , symbol of SL Benfica, flies over the entire facility. Only SL Benfica and SSC Lazio have this type of ritual inside their football stadiums.

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6 – Anfield, Liverpool, England

Probably just a few people know that Everton FC’s rivals built Anfield, the stadium that hosts the home games of Liverpool FC .  The Toffees  played in this stadium from 1884 to 1892. Among the rivals, we find Manchester United FC, in the one that is called the North-West Derby .

Liverpool FC and Anfield are something unique. The journalist Federico Buffa says

“Anfield has the Kop that has been intact since 1928 when it was built. If you had been there in the Sixties and Seventies, even on non-game days there was a distinct smell of beer and onions. Liverpool FC fans are ahead compared to those of the other teams, especially from a musical point of view. they are used to associate famous songs to their players in order to support them”.

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7 – Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland

Since 1892 Celtic Park (also dubbed Parkhead or Paradise) hosts the home games of the glorious Celtic FC . It is a veritable monument of the British football that every football lover should visit. It is also one of the oldest football stadiums in the United Kingdom.

If you think about football and Glasgow the first thing that comes to your mind is the Old Firm. Played 411 times, it is much more than just a football game. it is the game between the white-green Catholics and the white-red-blue Protestants.

The religious aspect of Celtic FC is an important part of the culture of the team. Brother Walfrid , a religious, founded the club in order to collect money to help the poor people of the city.

Pride is the word that better represent Celtic FC, as evidenced Jock Stein , the coach who brought the club to conquer the 1966-1967 UEFA Champions League: “The Celtic jerseys are not for the second choices”.

Tradition, extra-football themes and pride, all of these things in one stadium: Celtic Park is a must for every football lover.

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8 – San Siro, Milan, Italy

Milan: city of the Duomo , of risotto with saffron and… of the legendary San Siro stadium. It hosts the home games of two of the most popular football teams in Italy: AC Milan and FC Internazionale Milano . Since decades, these clubs face each other in one of the strongest rivalries of the European football.

The newspaper The Times placed this facility, dubbed La Scala del Calcio with a strong reference to the historic Milanese theatre, in second standing in the ranking of the most beautiful football stadiums in the world .

“San Siro is la Scala del Calcio, Ancelotti told me at the debut that only the big ones play here and he is right. it is a stadium that gives you emotions. in the evening it is a show, it is stuff to play in tuxedos”

said Hernan Crespo , a striker who played for both the teams of Milan during his career.

The stadium was inaugurated in 1926 with a game between the two teams of the city. The  Nerazzurri   won with the result of 6-3.

San Siro hosted the UEFA Champions League Final four times, the last one in the season 2015-2016 .

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9 – Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain

“The Real Madrid shirt is white. It can stain of mud, sweat and even of blood, but never of shame! Our titles give us our nobility”. Few words, but full of meaning, pronounced by Santiago Bernabéu , historical president of the Merengues.  Real Madrid Club de Fútbol ‘s stadium is dedicated to this historic figure of Madridism.

the museum is Absolutely unmissable. here, among Golden Balls and Golden Shoes, you can find the 12 UEFA Champions League that the club won.

The club makes tradition one of its strong points, but it also looks at the future. About this, it has been announced a 400-million-euro restructuring project of the stadium. Thanks to these works, Santiago Bernabéu will become something unique among football stadiums in the world.

Among the rivals, the main ones are FC Barcelona and Club Atlético de Madrid.

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10 – Old Trafford, Manchester, England

Old Trafford, home of Manchester United FC since 1910, is something that every football lover must visit. Sir Bobby Charlton dubbed it  The Theater of Dreams . It is definitely one of the best football stadiums in the world.

Only for a short period of time, from 1941 to 1949, The Red Devils had to leave their stadium to move to Maine Road, which hosted the home games of the historic rivals of Manchester City. This happened because of the air raids of the German army during the World War II damaged heavily Old Trafford.

For Manchester United FC players and coaches are not just people, but men who sometimes remain in the legend and that, when this happens, are properly celebrated.

Among the others, imprinted in the myth of The Red Devils , we find Sir Matt Busby and  Sir Alex Ferguson (a stand of the stadium has also his name). To them, we add Sir Bobby Charlton (another stand of the stadium has his name), George Best and Denis Law . Together, these three last legends compose T he Holy Trinity .

The statues of all these men surround the sports facility, signifying the importance they had in building the halo of legend that characterizes Manchester United FC.

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11 – Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany

Stadium of FC Bayern München since 2005 and of TSV 1860 München until 2017, Allianz Arena has some unique features compared to the other football stadiums.

Among the other things,  2,760 diamond-shaped cushions  cover the outer wall of the stadium. Together, they form the world’s largest membrane cladding, covering an area of 66,500 m². The colour of the coating changes according to whether team is playing in the stadium: red for FC Bayern München, blue for TSV 1860 München and white for the Germany national football team.

this football stadium has a brightness so strong. on cloudless nights, it can be spotted from a distance of 80 kilometres.

A unique record also regards the turnout during the Bundesliga home games. Starting from the season 2007-2008, the Bavarian facility has always been sold out . This is a record that other football stadiums cannot claim.

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12 – La Bombonera, Buenos Aires, Argentina

“La Bombonera no tiembla. Late” (“Bombonera does not tremble. Pulsate”). This phrase well expresses the spirit of La Bombonera, the nickname of Estadio Alberto José Armando, where Club Atlético Boca Juniors play their home games since 1940.

Inspired by Artemio Franchi stadium of Florence, the nickname “ La Bombonera ” has undoubtedly a particular origin. It is due to José Delpini, one of the designers of this football stadium. Once the construction work had finished, he compared the facility he made to a box of “ bombones “, like those he received as a gift the day of the inauguration.

the museum, located inside the stadium, is absolutely unmissable. Here you can find the Hall of Fame of the club and a mural depicting Diego Armando Maradona.

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13 – Wembley, London, England

Inaugurated on the ashes of old Wembley, new Wembley, despite its young age, has already a lot to say for every football lover. It opened in 2007 and cost 918 million euros . Among football stadiums in Europe,   it is the second largest after Camp Nou of Barcelona.

It holds every year The FA Cup, League Cup and Community Shield finals. Moreover, it is the stadium of the English national football team and, for the season 2017-2018, it hosts the home games of Tottenham Hotspur FC .

The symbol of this stadium is the steel arch built over the North Stand. This arch is 133 meters high and 315 meters long and has significantly changed the skyline of the city of London.

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14 – Emirates Stadium, London, England

For a football lover, the stadium of its own team is a sacred place. This also applies to Arsenal FC supporters, who have struggled to greet Highbury. It will be forever the spiritual home of The  Gunners , that now play their home games at Emirates Stadium.

In 2009, in order to bring the fans closer to the new stadium, the Arsenalization process of Emirates began.

Among the various initiatives, one of the most important was the construction of The Spirit of Highbury . This shrine depicts all of the players to have played for Arsenal during its 93-year residence at the Highbury. Moreover, 8 murals , each of which depicts four club legends hugging each other, surround the outer wall of the stadium. Altogether, these 32 legends create a huddle embracing the whole stadium.

Among the rivalries, the strongest ones are with Tottenham Hotspur FC, Chelsea FC, West Ham United FC and Manchester United FC.

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15 – Lužniki Stadium, Moscow, Russia

Lužniki Stadium is located in the city of Moscow. It is a stadium that every football lover who visits the Russian capital cannot miss. Theatre of the Lužniki Disaster in 1982, in which 66 football fans of FC Spartak Moskva died for safety reasons, this stadium hosted the 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League Final.

Among the football stadiums of the next FIFA World Cup , this will be the main stage of the tournament.

Among other games, the opening one of the tournament between Russia and Saudi Arabia will take place here and the same for the final of the of 15th of July.

All the fans around the world hope that, at the end of this day, the anthem of their national football team will resonate above Lužniki Stadium.

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16 – Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

Més que un club , more than a club . Any football lover knows that these four words represent the identity of FC Barcelona . This team is more than just a football club. It is the symbol in which all the inhabitants of a region, Catalonia, identify themselves. A team that is més que un club can only have what we could call more than a stadium : Camp Nou.

It is a true temple of football, the largest among football stadiums in Europe, with a capacity of over 99,000 seats.

Among the rivals, the main one is Real Madrid Club de Futébol, in a game dubbed El Clásico . The atmosphere that surrounds this football stadium during this game is something unbelievable. During El Clásico Camp Nou is something absolutely worth to visit.

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17 – Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Perhaps Maracanã is the most famous among football stadiums in the world. But probably there are not many people who know that the official name of this stadium is Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho. This to thank the columnist who campaigned hard for the building of the stadium against serious opposition.

This facility holds the record of attendance for a football game. during the last game of 1950 FIFA World Cup official attendance was listed as 199.854 (standing), but actual attendance was estimated at closer to 210,000.

This game went down in history as the Maracanaço . When the game ended the then president of FIFA, Jules Rimet , said, “everything was planned, except for the triumph of Uruguay”. But what happened? It happened that the Celeste  graduated as world champion at the expense of the Brazil national football team. At the triple whistle of the referee, a surreal silence enveloped the stadium. In the stands, tens of people were seized with a heart attack and some sources spoke of at least ten people died.

Renewed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, it was the stage of the Final of the aforementioned tournament.

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18 – Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa

The 2010 FIFA World Cup: the first one hosted by an African country, the first one that saw the triumph of La Roja , the Spain national football team.

Among football stadiums, Soccer City (officially FNB Stadium) was undoubtedly the main one of this event. It hosted the inaugural game and the final one of the tournament.

Another nickname with which this stadium is known is The Calabash, because of its resemblance to a typical African pot.

For this reason, panels cover the external wall of the stadium. They make up a mosaic of warm colours , at the base of which there is a ring of lights that simulate a fire that heats the pot.

Some of the seats inside the stadium form 10 black stripes . Each of them looks towards the other 9 stadiums where the games of the tournament took place, plus one revolt towards the Olympiastadion in Berlin, home of the previous Final in 2006.

19 – Parc des Princes, Paris, France

The Parc des Princes, in its current version, was inaugurated in 1972 and represents the third version of the stadium . The first one dates back to 1897, while the second to 1932. In both cases, they were mainly used as velodromes. This stadium has been hosting the home games of Paris Saint-Germain since 1974.

It could be defined as “the football stadium of the first times”.

Here the inaugural game of the 1938 FIFA World Cup, between Germany and Switzerland, took place. In addition, it hosted the first UEFA Champions League and European Football Championship Finals , respectively in 1956 and 1960.

Paris Saint-Germain has become, with 27 titles, the most titled club in France, outranking its biggest rival, the Olympique de Marseille.

20 – Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Athens, Greece

Inaugurated in 1895 as a velodrome for the 1896 Summer Olympics , the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium hosts the home games of Olympiacos FC .

The stadium pays homage to a military commander who, during the Greek War of Independence, died near the area where the stadium is located.

In this football stadium the Karaiskakis Stadium disaster , also known as The Gate 7 Tragedy,  happened. Here, in 1981, 21 fans died during a football game. In memory of this event, twenty-one seats are black coloured instead of red, shaping the number “7”. On the eastern side of the stadium, a monument pays tribute to those people.

We hope you enjoyed this list with the best football stadiums in the world. It was very difficult to choose the stadiums. Moreover, we hope that reading this article you discovered at least one thing that you did not know before. We are sure that now all of you want to go visit these football stadiums, to find other interesting things we did not talk about.

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Home » Budget Travel » The Best Football Stadiums To Visit In The World – INSIDER Guide

The Best Football Stadiums To Visit In The World – INSIDER Guide

Ahh Football, the beautiful game , it’s a sport that unites people all across the globe (except in the US of course…) . No matter where I go in the world (and that’s nearly 100 countries) the locals always , without fail, ask me about the English Premier League and many of them beam with joy when I tell them I used to live 15 minutes from Anfield Stadium in Liverpool. In many cultures, football now pretty much serves as a proxy religion and allows fans to forge a tribal identity.

If this all sounds a bit too grandiose for a ball game, then you are right, it is. And yet it is not just about the game itself, it’s also about the electrifying atmosphere, the passionate fans, and the iconic stadiums where the magic happens.

Whether you’re a football enthusiast or somebody simply looking to get under the skin and enter into the true working-class culture of a city, then visiting the local football (soccer) stadium is not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Football stadiums are more than just architectural marvels; they hold the collective memories and emotions of fans worldwide. Each stadium has its own unique charm, history, and cultural significance. Whether you’re a supporter of Barcelona, Manchester United, or any other team, exploring these stadiums will give you an insight into the heart and soul of the beautiful game.

In this post, we are going to look at the best football stadiums in the world to visit.

The Ultimate Football Stadiums Tour

There are thousands of different football stadiums on Earth. Some are humble, maybe even a tad ramshackle, whereas others are modern marvels of architecture tantamount to neo-colosseums. 

In this post we have handpicked the 15 best football stadium tours on earth that you good, good people can visit.

Camp Nou – Barcelona, Spain

Camp Nou (or the New Camp) presumably needs little introduction. Located in Barcelona, Spain, it’s the largest football stadium in Europe and home to one the most successful clubs on earth, FC Barcelona. 

With a staggering seating capacity of over 99,000 spectators, the atmosphere is frantically fevered on match days, especially when Real Madrid are in town. On non-match days, the stadium offers a guided Nou Camp Tour where visitors can explore the players’ tunnel, the pitch, and even the team’s dressing room. The Nou Camp Tour concludes at the on-site museum which showcases the club’s rich, rich history and displays countless trophies, including the 5 prestigious Champions League titles. It’s one of the best places to visit in Barcelona if you want to get to know what makes the locals tick.

Old Trafford – Manchester, England

Old Trafford is another iconic stadium, this time situated in Manchester, England. It is of course home of the legendary Manchester United, a club with an unparalleled sporting legacy who have successfully branded itself as the most widely supported and recognised football club in the world (an old joke used to say that United had more fans in Hong Kong than they had in Manchester). 

Visitors to Old Trafford can take a guided tour to witness the stadium’s impressive architecture and delve into the club’s storied past, it has to be one of the coolest things to do in Manchester for sure. The museum within the stadium premises houses an extensive collection of memorabilia, allowing fans to relive historic moments. 

The serious football aficionados among you also have the option of touring Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and the UK Football Museum located close to Manchester Victoria train station as part of your Manchester itinerary .

Maracanã Stadium – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is widely hailed as the temple of football. This historic venue has witnessed some of the most unforgettable moments in football history, including 2 FIFA World Cup finals. Visiting this incredible place is a must-do when you go backpacking around Brazil !

A tour of Maracanã takes visitors through its remarkable history, and the museum exhibits artefacts that encapsulate the passion and spirit of Brazilian football including a section dedicated to Brazilian football legend Pele who is still hailed as the greatest player the game ever produced.

Wembley Stadium – London, England

Wembley Stadium, located in London, England, is a truly iconic symbol of British football – it was here in 1966 when England won their one and only World Cup title. So if you’re a football fan, it’s one of the top things to do in London for sure.

This state-of-the-art stadium (rebuilt in 2007) hosts major domestic and international competitions, including the FA Cup final and England national team matches. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the stadium’s impressive facilities and learn about its illustrious past. The Wembley Stadium Tour also offers an immersive virtual reality experience where visitors can step into the shoes of their favorite players and experience the thrill of walking out onto the hallowed Wembley turf.

Allianz Arena – Munich, Germany

Allianz Arena is a modern masterpiece located in Munich, Germany. This architectural marvel is the home stadium of the mighty FC Bayern Munich who have been kicking arse in the German Bundesliga for decades now. 

The stadium’s unique feature is its exterior, which can change colors to reflect the team playing inside. Guided tours provide access to the stands, changing rooms, and the press conference area, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the world of German football. If you’re a footie fan then you can’t miss this when visiting Munich .

If you want to catch a match during your visit, the good news is that Bayern tickets are significantly cheaper than those of other European titans.

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San Siro – Milan, Italy

San Siro is an iconic stadium situated in Milan, Italy. It is home to not one but two of Italy’s most successful clubs, AC Milan and Inter Milan (stadium sharing is kinda commonplace in Italy by the way). So it’s one of the most interesting places to visit in Milan .

The stadium, officially known as Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, offers guided tours that take fans behind the scenes, including visits to the players’ tunnel and the pitchside area. The museum inside the stadium showcases the rich history and fierce rivalry between the two Milanese giants.

Be sure to visit soon too, because there are plans afoot for a new mega stadium in Milan .

Emirates Stadium – London, England

The Emirates Stadium has been the iconic home of Arsenal FC since they left Highbury in 2006. Situated in North-west London, the stadium’s sleek design and modern amenities provide an excellent matchday experience for fans. It’s a great day trip whilst in London .

Emirates Stadium guided tours offer a chance to explore the stadium’s key areas, including the dressing rooms and the pitchside, while also providing insights into Arsenal’s rich history and heritage. Note that London and its boroughs are home to 14 different professional, English league football grounds so if you are in London you stand a strong chance of actually bagging some match tickets.

If you do want to catch a game, why not head over to Go Sport Travel and see if they can hook up with some match tickets?

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – Madrid, Spain

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, located in Madrid, Spain, is the legendary home of Real Madrid. This majestic stadium has witnessed countless historic moments in football, including numerous UEFA Champions League triumphs. 

If you’re wondering whether to pick Madrid or Barcelona when it comes to footballing history, it can be a difficult decision … so do both if you can!

Guided tours allow visitors to explore the stadium’s impressive architecture, walk through the players’ tunnel, and get a glimpse of the club’s trophy room, which showcases the team’s remarkable achievements and it’s a real fun thing to do in Madrid . However, note that the tour may gloss over Real Madrid’s problematic history with Spain’s Fascist Dictator General Franco.

Signal Iduna Park – Dortmund, Germany

Signal Iduna Park, located in Dortmund, Germany, is home to Borussia Dortmund, one of the most passionate and fervent football clubs in Europe. If Bayern Munich are the poster boy of German football, Dortmund are its edgier but cooler rival.

This atmospheric stadium, also known as “The Yellow Wall,” boasts the highest average attendance in European football. Guided tours allow visitors to experience the electrifying atmosphere of the South Stand, explore the stadium’s facilities, and learn about the club’s loyal fan culture. Be sure to visit Germany during the winter if you want to catch a game.

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Azadi Stadium – Tehran, Iran

Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, is not only one of the largest stadiums in the world but also holds immense cultural significance. As the home of the Iran national football team, it has witnessed countless historic matches and is one of the most fun and interesting things to do in Tehran .

Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the stadium’s architecture and its role in shaping Iranian football culture. For an insight into how important soccer is in the “complicated” modern Iranian culture, check out the award-winning 2006 film Offside.

Stadio San Paolo – Naples, Italy

Stadio San Paolo in Naples, Italy, is the legendary home of SSC Napoli, the club synonymous with football icon Diego Maradona and to a lesser extent the Italian Mafia. This stadium has an electric atmosphere, fueled by passionate (see sometimes violent) fans known as the “Tifosi.” 

Guided tours are a great thing to do in Naples and offer a glimpse into the club’s history, including Maradona’s unforgettable era, and allow visitors to appreciate the intense football culture that thrives in Naples.

Soccer City Stadium – Johannesburg, South Africa

Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a symbol of pride and unity for the nation. It hosted the memorable 2010 FIFA World Cup final and has since become an architectural landmark. 

Visitors to Soccer City Stadium can explore the stadium’s vibrant surroundings, appreciate its unique design, and learn about the significant role it played in South African football history. If you’re wondering whether to visit Cape Town or Johannesburg , this stadium might just throw the balance in Joburg’s favour!

Estadio Monumental – Buenos Aires, Argentina

Estadio Monumental, located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the revered home stadium of Club Atlético River Plate. It is known for its intense atmosphere and passionate fans – if you ever make it here when they play rivals Boca Juniors then it will be an unforgettable experience on any Buenos Aires itinerary .

Guided tours take visitors through the stadium’s impressive facilities, including the pitch, the players’ tunnel, and the trophy room. The stadium’s museum showcases the club’s rich history and honors its legendary players.

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Anfield – Liverpool, England

Anfield is the historic home of Liverpool FC, one of the most successful clubs in English football and one of the most loved football teams on earth.  Situated in inner city Liverpool, this iconic stadium holds a truly special place in the hearts of football fans worldwide and is a must-do when visiting Liverpool .

Guided tours of Anfield allow visitors to soak in the rich history and traditions of the club. From the famous “This is Anfield” sign to the revered Kop Stand, visitors can explore the stadium’s key areas, including the dressing rooms and the players’ tunnel. The museum at Anfield showcases the club’s glorious past, with exhibits dedicated to legendary players and unforgettable moments.

If you fancy doing the Scouse double, then Everton’s Goodison Park stadium is a short bus ride from Anfield – that is until they move into their new, highly controversial city centre stadium sometime in 2024.

Civitas Metropolitan Stadium – Madrid, Spain

Civitas Metropolitan Stadium in Madrid, Spain, is a modern architectural gem and the home of Atlético Madrid. Known for its unique design and impressive facilities, this stadium offers a remarkable matchday experience. 

While Atletico are nowhere near as big or successful as their rivals Real, they are widely considered as the peoples club as opposed to their “Royal” neighbours and are of course free of the problematic links with General Franco. If you happen to be in Madrid over a weekend when they are playing, then you’ll have a much more authentic experience if you manage to catch a game too.

Guided tours of Civitas Metropolitan Stadium provide visitors with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the inner workings of the club. From the state-of-the-art dressing rooms to the pitchside area, fans can witness the stadium’s grandeur up close. The museum within the stadium showcases the club’s achievements and celebrates its passionate fan base and former greats.

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Can I buy tickets to watch a match at these stadiums?

While stadiums offer tickets for matches, it can be a lot harder to get match tickets for others. It’s recommended to check the official websites of the respective clubs for ticket availability and purchase well in advance of your visit.

Are guided tours available in multiple languages?

Many stadiums these days provide tours in multiple languages to cater to international visitors. However, it is more common for tours to be offered in the local language, and then English Check the stadium’s official website or inquire beforehand for specific language options.

Can I visit the stadiums on non-match days?

Yes, stadiums usually offer guided tours on non-match days only. It’s advisable to check the tour schedules and book in advance to secure your spot.

Do these stadiums have facilities for disabled visitors?

Most modern stadiums prioritize accessibility and provide facilities for disabled visitors. It’s recommended to contact the stadium’s visitor services or check their website for specific information.

Are photography and filming allowed during the tours?

Photography and filming policies tend to vary from stadium to stadium. Some stadiums allow it, while others may have certain restrictions. It’s best to check the guidelines provided by the stadium or the tour organizers.

Final Thoughts

Well, exploring the best football stadiums around the world is a dream come true for any football aficionado. These mighty soccer stadiums offer not only thrilling matches but also immersive tours replete with fascinating museums that provide a deeper understanding of the sport’s history and cultural significance. 

From the colossal Camp Nou in Barcelona to the historic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, each stadium has its own unique story to tell and captures the essence of football and the local community in its own way.

How was that? Have you visited any of these stadiums? Did we miss your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

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Stadium guides

The aim of Itinerant Fan is to help you with every part of the live sports experience, and that starts with stadium guides in the NFL, NBA and NHL as well as MLB.

Our favorite thing is to visit a stadium or arena for the first time and walk the concourses and aisles, discovering experiences that the local fans consider their own. I have done this now for nearly every venue in the four major U.S. sports leagues, and for each I’ve written the following guides in hopes that it will help you with the experience as well.

Click here to see our stadium guides

Note that these guides aren’t necessarily written for the fervent fan of a particular team. If you are a season-ticket holder, or otherwise attend games for your favorite team often, then I expect that you know your hometown stadium pretty well.

But if you’re from out of town and/or visiting that bucket-list stadium for the first time, and you want to make sure your visit goes smoothly and you don’t miss out on a sight worth seeing, that’s where these guides will come in handy.

You can find guides to the stadiums and arenas in MLB, the NFL, NBA and NHL below.

We also have select guides to venues in Major League Soccer, college football and college basketball. We’re working to add more every year!

And in the summer of 2022, we added nternational stadium guides! These are for major venues outside the U.S. and Canada that we’ve visited. Check them out by sorting using the “International” tab below.

Read our guides to help you plan out your visit to a game. Each itinerary has information on upcoming events, parking, transportation, nearby hotels and restaurants, concessions, seat views and more.

We’ve also partnered with Ticketmaster to provide information on upcoming events, seating locations and tickets. Check them out if you’re looking for tickets to a forthcoming game!

Don’t forget to also check out our city sports travel guides to major sports destinations in the U.S. and Canada, which have more information on transportation, parking, hotels, points of interest and restaurants.

Note: Guides are listed in alphabetical order by stadium name. Select one of the league tabs below to sort.

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Acrisure Stadium

Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Panthers

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Crypto.com Arena

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Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium

Texas Longhorns

Delta Center

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Los Angeles Dodgers

Emirates Stadium

Empower Field at Mile High

Denver Broncos

Enterprise Center

St. Louis Blues

Estadio Azteca

Club América Cruz Azul NFL International Series

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Jacksonville Jaguars

FedEx Field

Washington Commanders

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Boston Red Sox

Fiserv Forum

Milwaukee Bucks Marquette Golden Eagles

Footprint Center

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Frost Bank Center

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Gainbridge Fieldhouse

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GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

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Gillette Stadium

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Guaranteed Rate Field

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Hard Rock Stadium

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Highmark Stadium

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Kaseya Center

Kauffman Stadium

Kansas City Royals

KeyBank Center

Buffalo Sabres

Orlando Magic

Lambeau Field

Green Bay Packers

LaVell Edwards Stadium

BYU Cougars

Levi’s Stadium

San Francisco 49ers

Lincoln Financial Field

Philadelphia Eagles Temple Owls

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Detroit Pistons Detroit Red Wings

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London Stadium

West Ham United MLB World Tour

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Indianapolis Colts

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Mercedes-Benz Stadium

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Oakland Athletics

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Paycor Stadium

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All 30 nfl stadiums, ranked: 2022 edition, share this article.

It’s been a long six months since the Rams’ victory in Super Bowl 56 . But here we are: We’re finally getting back to football season.

In the coming days and weeks, fans will be filing into stadiums across the NFL. And while NFL stadiums may not have the character we see in ballparks throughout baseball , they’re all unique in their own way.

Between the staff members at For The Win , we were able to offer first-hand experiences for all 30 NFL stadiums and ranked them with the admittedly subjective criteria of general atmosphere, design, location, amenities, food, character and — of course — the stadium itself. They’re all key factors in the overall game-day experience. Each ranking will be marked with its respective author.

The 2022 season is here. Let’s get ready.

30. FedEx Field - Washington Commanders

(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Look, there’s no way around this. FedEx Field is awful. It’s literally falling apart. Remember when a railing gave way back in January and sent a handful of Philly fans tumbling at the feet of Jalen Hurts? Or when that pipe burst in the fall of 2021 and sent questionable water all over fans? Yeah. Not only will the stadium actively work against you, you need to drive or train an annoying distance and either walk a further annoying distance or sit in hours of traffic to experience a team that hasn’t made it out of the Wild Card round since 2005. At least tickets are $70 each!

– Caroline Darney

29. Soldier Field - Chicago Bears

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Soldier Field is a bizarre mix of past and present , like if Laura Ingalls Wilder had married a cyborg. The reverence for the history of the field means there’s limited leg room and entryways, leading to long wait times to see whichever underwhelming quarterback happens to be getting sacked that day. The present-day additions make the whole thing feel a little like Cincinnati, which, huh .

– Christian D’Andrea

28. TIAA Bank Field - Jacksonville Jaguars

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

TIAA Bank Field is a football stadium! So, there’s that. The location isn’t horrible, it has all the amenities you would want, including pizza, popcorn and hotdogs. Football!

27. Caesars Superdome - New Orleans Saints

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Superdome was an architectural marvel when it first opened, but that was almost 50 years ago. It’s a dump now and no amount of renovation can make it nice ( though they are trying ). On the other hand, it has one of the best game-day atmospheres in the league, and the walkable location in the French Quarter makes for a fun experience. But man, the stadium is so bad. I can’t emphasize that enough.

– Andrew Joseph

26. Nissan Stadium - Tennessee Titans

(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Your Madden create-a-franchise stadium, come to life. It’s not memorable in any way, but the pedestrian bridge from downtown is a nice touch.

25. Highmark Stadium - Buffalo Bills

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

“Garbage stadium surrounded by garbage fans.” – a visiting Patriots fan (who is not me, but whom I contacted for this ranking). This is a good thing for the city of Buffalo. Highmark is a relatively intimate NFL stadium with limited amenities but a tremendous tailgating scene that provides the attraction the on-field product failed to bring for so many years.

24. Bank of America Stadium - Carolina Panthers

(Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)

Bank of America Stadium is well-located in Charlotte (we love a walkable stadium) and has all the amenities you’d want for a football game. They have the “self-serve” beverage and snack locations (you just grab the drinks you want out of the cooler and take them to cashiers to check out) which speeds things up, and they have the tall boy black cherry White Claws so, yeah.

23. Raymond James Stadium - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Some venues go a little overboard with their decor, but seriously, why wouldn’t you want a pirate ship in the middle of your stadium? However, when you have that, the end zone seating options are a little limited, but it’s a fine stadium. The food is decent (especially when the Outback Bowl was in town, RIP), the outdoor weather is often lovely and the atmosphere, especially with Tom Brady under center, is cool.

– Michelle Martinelli

22. MetLife Stadium - New York Giants and Jets

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

It doesn’t have the prestige and history of the other top stadiums on this list. It’s a bit cookie-cutter in design (although thank goodness for bigger concourses than its predecessor!), and the food isn’t anything special. But it’s fairly new, and that means it’s got some modern amenities. And feral cats.

– Charles Curtis

21. Empower Field at Mile High - Denver Broncos

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a stadium that is absolutely starting to show its age ( and catches on fire more often than an NFL stadium should ). And while it can use modern updates to compete with the newer stadiums in the league, it does have a great location going for it — surrounded (beyond the parking lots) by bars, breweries, restaurants and a Denny’s. Also, the Denver sunsets are spectacular.

20. Paycor Stadium - Cincinnati Bengals

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

This stadium has three things going for it: 1) It was one of only three NFL stadiums not named after a corporate sponsor ( not anymore ) 2) it’s next to a river and 3) it looks good and has nice views. Stadiums gain so many points simply by being near a river. The good thing about this river is, if you cross it, you’re in Kentucky and there are a bunch of good places to get nice bourbon. Beyond that, Paycor Stadium is an aesthetically pleasing place. The open corners give it a more airy feel and the views of Cincy and the surrounding area are lovely.

– Chris Korman

19. Gillette Stadium - New England Patriots

Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a very nice stadium with few bad seats and even fewer inexpensive ones. The Patriots leaned hard into making their Foxborough locale a full retail destination and the game-day experience suffers a bit as a result. There’s a certain amount of dissonance involved when you realize Tom Brady won six Super Bowls coming out of one tunnel, but that the field was reserved for UMass football games – despite the fact their campus is 93 miles away – for several Saturdays before the GOAT could take the field in the 2010s.

18. Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia Eagles

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Though the Linc isn’t the most modern NFL stadium, it holds its charm for Eagles fans. Situated in the heart of the Philly Sports Complex, the tailgating scene feels reminiscent of a college experience, though the in-stadium beer is a bit pricy. Even still, the Linc is a fitting home for Eagles fans, who continuously pack in the stadium and make it one of the harshest road environments in the NFL.

– Mary Clarke

17. FirstEnergy Stadium - Cleveland Browns

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A stadium often overshadowed by the garbage heaps either on the field or in the front office above it. FirstEnergy has a solid location, good sight lines, and relatively inexpensive amenities. For years it’s been a destination for visiting fans, who generally leave pleasantly surprised.

16. M&T Bank Stadium - Baltimore Ravens

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

There’s something so quintessentially Baltimore about this stadium. Situated right near the much-lauded Oriole Park at Camden Yards, this football stadium is …. Well, it’s just a football stadium. It’s easy to get around. Most of the seats offer a good view. The food is pretty decent. Parking is plentiful, and makes for good tailgating. The fans are passionate and, mostly, charming. Baltimore is a place where our idea of a gourmet meal is some newspapers slapped on a table with a pile of crabs you’ve gotta pick yourself in the middle. We make our own good time, we don’t need the stadium to do it for us.

– Chris Korman

15. NRG Stadium - Houston Texans

Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The retractable fabric roof is fantastic. The whole stadium also radiates light from within at night, which looks great. And it’s cozy enough to make watching a Final Four game there not feel totally insane. It would be so much better if it wasn’t just sort of plopped down into Houston’s weird sprawl (though maybe Houston IS sprawl), but overall it’s a good place to watch a game.

14. State Farm Stadium - Arizona Cardinals

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

On the outside, it’s one of the more outlandishly designed stadiums in the league. But once you walk inside, it’s almost a bit underwhelming how generic and stripped down the concourses are. You won’t find many fans who enjoy the long trips to Glendale, but they can put up with it for eight or nine days a year. The stadium is better known for hosting classic Super Bowls and college games than it is for anything related to the Cardinals. It’s a fine stadium, but there’s room for improvement with this season’s Super Bowl venue.

13. Levi’s Stadium - San Francisco 49ers

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

This is a great stadium. They got most everything right inside of it. But nothing can overcome the fact that it’s an hour drive from the place where the team is supposed to be located, and also plopped right in the middle of Silicon Valley, making prices truly outrageous. This is easily a Top 10 stadium if it’s built where Candlestick Park once stood.

12. Arrowhead Stadium - Kansas City Chiefs

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

As a stadium itself, Arrowhead is just OK. But the game-day experience is among the best in the league. Surrounded by nothing but parking lots, there’s little to do around the stadium besides tailgating. Which is awesome before games but leads to hour-plus traffic jams to exit Truman Sports Complex after games. The fans are LOUD and they love to remind you that they hold the Guinness World Record for loudest outdoor stadium. And they have plenty to cheer about these days. Overall, though, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Arrowhead. There aren’t many better places to spend an NFL Sunday.

11. Hard Rock Stadium - Miami Dolphins

Hard Rock Stadium feels a little underrated. The location is a little brutal as it sits kind of in the middle of nowhere, but the actual stadium experience isn’t bad. The club level upgrades are really nice, so if you can find a way up there, do it. If you’re hungry, you can grab a Shula Burger, which is branded “SHULA” across the bun.

10. Ford Field - Detroit Lions

David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

By far, Ford Field’s biggest asset is its roof because while some fan bases relish the idea of freezing in the winter during games at their outdoor venues, it’s so much better to watch the home team (lose) without battling frigid temperatures and sideways snowing. Beyond that, the food, particularly Slows Bar BQ, is fantastic, and the Bloody Marys are good and spicy. Plus, even when the Lions are rolling towards a three-win season, the ultra-dedicated fans inside remain consistently rowdy, and when an occasional Detroit touchdown is scored, the energy inside feels like it could blow that precious roof off.

9. Acrisure Stadium - Pittsburgh Steelers

Between PNC Park and the formerly named Heinz Field , Pittsburgh does picturesque stadiums so well. While Acrisure Stadium has a new (and terrible) name, it should remain a stadium that has aged incredibly well in its 20 years. It’s a short walk to bars and restaurants, and the surrounding area is a sea of black and yellow on game days – making for a great atmosphere. It might lack some of the more luxurious amenities of the new stadiums, particularly in the concourses. But this is still a solid stadium.

8. Lumen Field - Seattle Seahawks

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

One of the best things about Lumen Field is the location. Close – like, very walkable – from downtown Seattle, Lumen is nestled by the water and also hosts the MLS’s Seattle Sounders and NWSL’s Seattle Reign. It has a wonderful variety of local brews, and features food and beverage from Seattle originals like Ivar’s and Starbucks, as well as Poke bowls, something called Sasquatch fries and chicken and biscuits. The game experience is electric with 72,000 “12s” cheering their support. Highly recommend a trip to not only Seattle, but Lumen as well.

7. AT&T Stadium - Dallas Cowboys

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry’s World is a Jerry Jones joint, for sure. It’s big and it’s bold and it’s brash and it’s a little bit out there. Does it have much soul? Nah. Is it all that pleasing to gaze upon? Nope. But the screen is gigantic and there’s always a lot going on and you often get the sense that it might just catch on fire but probably won’t. Texas forever.

6. U.S. Bank Stadium - Minnesota Vikings

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no describing just how much of an upgrade U.S. Bank Stadium is over the 1970s shuttered airport aesthetic of the Metrodome. The glass ceiling makes the scope of the stadium appear truly enormous, but you never feel separated from the field itself. Plus, they have Grain Belt on tap – which is either a feature or a bug, depending on how you view the local lager.

5. Lucas Oil Stadium - Indianapolis Colts

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Cathedral that Peyton Built is one of the best places in the country to watch football. It’s in Indiana, so of course it looks, from the outside, more like a basketball arena. But the retractable roof and large window (offering a view of downtown) means it can feel like an open-aired stadium, too. The architecture of the place is in harmony with the nearby downtown, and everything just … works . It’s a unique stadium, in a way that makes sense for the location (which is one of the country’s most underrated.)

4. Mercedes-Benz Stadium - Atlanta Falcons

Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

The Falcons found themselves in the strange position of building a stadium that is almost *too* nice. MBS is a great stadium. It’s unique, everything is new, the concession prices are fan friendly. But when it comes to amenities, there are so many great options that fans tend to spend time enjoying the stadium away from their seats (can you blame them? It’s the Falcons!). I know I wanted to walk around until I saw it all. That being said, the stadium is a world-class venue, and there’s a reason major events are regularly held there.

3. Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas Raiders

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

This stadium is so nice, it’s almost silly. Sure, the Raiders don’t have much of an established fanbase in Las Vegas, and the games are a combination of tourist attraction, sporting event and social outing with $20 beers at the Wynn Field Club. But the nearly $2 billion stadium feels like a $2 billion stadium. Between the expansive concourses with marble floors, premium clubs around every corner and ridiculously comfortable seats, you can’t help but laugh about this team previously playing at Oakland Coliseum (or RingCentral/whatever it’s called these days). Allegiant is a phenomenal stadium.

2. SoFi Stadium - Los Angeles Chargers and Rams

Moments after walking into SoFi Stadium — like Allegiant Stadium — you totally feel like you’re in a place that cost $5.5 billion to make. Everything just feels like no other stadium that I’ve ever been in. The concourses are beautiful and clean and the sight lines of the field are just about perfect no matter where you are sitting or standing. The best part of it, though, is the open-air feel to it while also kind of being inside. Los Angeles pretty much always has great weather so it was brilliant to have have both ends of the stadium be open to allow the breezes to sweep through the stadium. Also, the views from those areas are pretty great – one side you have the legendary Forum and then Hollywood Hills way off in the distance and from the other side you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean. It’s all so, so good.

– Andy Nesbitt

1. Lambeau Field - Green Bay Packers

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Lambeau Field remains every bit the old school experience you want it to be, rising from the suburban grid of Green Bay to welcome NFL pilgrims to its hallowed grounds. Between the history of the Hall of Fame and the frigid aluminum bench seats that freeze your Leinenkugel’s in the can each December, it’s perfect roughneck football. Go Pack Go.

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To The 92 Journey

After months of planning, I took my love for Football to the next level by leaving Southampton on Friday 22nd October 2021 on a mission to visit all 92 Football League grounds. That's each and every ground from the Premier League, Championship, League 1 and League 2.

8 days and 2500 miles later I am now a member of the 92 club having visited all the grounds in the Football League. It was a fantastic experience seeing all 92 grounds including some incredible pitch side visits. My journey even made the paper !

After carefully planning our route, our journey began from Southampton at 7am on Friday 22nd October 2021, with the first ground being Bournemouth.

Day 1 was a very mile heavy day, covering 425 miles and visiting 8 grounds. The grounds that we visited on Day 1 included:

1. The Vitality Stadium

2. Home Park

3. St James Park

4. Ashton Gate

5. Memorial Stadium

6. Rodney Parade

7. Cardiff City Stadium

8. The Liberty Stadium

A very successful first day left us ahead of schedule already. Our initial plan was to stay in Bristol, however managed to get both the Bristol grounds done and also all the Welsh grounds. As we were ahead, we instead stayed on the M4, not far from Swindon - which was the first ground on the list for Day 2.

Up early once again and back on the motorway for 7am, with Swindon being our first stop before we made our way up the country, to the Midlands.

Day 2 also saw us cover a lot of miles in the car, covering 350 miles and visiting 12 grounds. The grounds that we visited on Day 2 included:

9. The County Ground

10. The Kassam Stadium

11. The New Lawn

12. Whaddon Road

13. St Andrew's

14. Villa Park

15. The Hawthorns

16. The Bescot

17. Molineux

18. The New Meadow

19. bet365 Stadium

20. Vale Park

Day 2 also saw us gain extra time and remain ahead of our schedule. We were planning on staying in Shrewsbury, however we instead stayed in a hotel in Crewe, which was the first ground on the list for Day 3.

Much like the previous days, we were again back on the motorway for 7am, starting off with Crewe Alexandra before we continued our journey up north, towards Merseyside. 

Day 3 saw us cover a lot more grounds than the previous days, due to the proximity of them - we managed to cover 225 miles and 17 grounds. The grounds that we visited on Day 3 included:

21. Gresty Road

22. Prenton Park

23. Anfield

24. Goodison Park

25. DW Stadium

26. The University of Bolton Stadium

27. Old Trafford

28. Moor Lane

29. The Etihad

30. Boundary Park

31. Spotland

32. Turf Moor

33. The Crown Ground

34. Ewood Park

35. Deepdale

36. Bloomfield Road

37. Highbury Stadium

Day 3 also saw us progress further than expected. In our initial plan we expected to end Day 3 in Burnley, however we instead stayed in a hotel in Morecambe - which was 5 grounds ahead of the plan!

A personal highlight from Day 3 was the pitch side visit at The Etihad. I have been to Etihad to watch Saints many times, however being in the dug out with an empty stadium was very impressive!

Starting Day 4 with a visit to Morecambe, before continuing our journey up north to Carlisle. This was after driving to Barrow which is fair to say was out of the way!

During Day 4 we covered 350 miles and 9 grounds. The grounds that we visited on Day 4 included:

38. Mazuma Stadium

39. Holker Street

40. Brunton Park

41. St James' Park

42. The Stadium of Light

43. Victoria Park

44. The Riverside Stadium

45. Wetherby Road

46. Valley Parade

Once again, we continued to push on and make great progress. We were expecting to end Day 4 and stay in Newcastle. However, we ended up in Leeds, which was 4 grounds further than expected!

Much like Day 3, Day 5 we covered less miles but a lot more grounds. We covered 235 miles and 11 grounds. 

This day included a lot of grounds that I had not visited prior to this trip and was very much looking forward too seeing and having pitch side visits. Including Elland Road, Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City. The grounds that we visited on Day 3 included:

47. Elland Road

48. The John Smith's Stadium

49. Oakwell

50. Hillsborough

51. Bramall Lane

52. New York Stadium

53. The Keepmoat Stadium

54. Glanford Park

55. The KCOM Stadium

56. Sincil Bank

57. Field Mill

We managed to reach Mansfield just before it was dark and then stay the night in Nottingham- which was a great success. We were still ahead of schedule, which was great as we knew the next 3 days were going to be very full on. Lots more miles and grounds to cover!

Much like Day 1, Day 6 we covered a lot of miles but not as many grounds. We covered 435 miles and only 10 grounds!

This included the last of the grounds in the midlands before going out to Norwich and Ipswich. That was a very long drive! The grounds that we visited on Day 3 included:

58. The City Ground

59. Pride Park

60. The Pirelli Stadium

61. The King Power Stadium

62. Coventry Building Society Arena

63. London Road

64. Carrow Road

65. Portman Road

66. JobServe Community Stadium

67. The Abbey Stadium

Luckily we were ahead of schedule until now, as we fell slightly behind today - but remained on track according to our plan. We managed to get Cambridge done before it was too dark and then drove to Northampton where we then stayed the night.

During Day 7 we covered 275 miles and 13 grounds. This was a fun day, driving through London to reach the grounds was a challenge!

A personal highlight of Day 7 was a pitch side visit at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium... wow! The grounds that we visited on Day 3 included:

68. Sixfields

69. Stadium MK

70. Kenilworth Road

71. Broadhall Way

72. Vicarage Road

73. Adams Park

74. The Madejski Stadium

75. Brentford Community Stadium

76. Loftus Road

77. The Emirates Stadium

78. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

79. Brisbane Road

80. London Stadium

According to our schedule we once again did not gain any time, so it was a good thing we made up some time in the earlier days. We managed to get West Ham done before driving to Gillingham to stay the night ahead of the last day.

Our final day started in Gillingham at 7am and ended in Southampton at St Mary's at 5pm. Another hectic day driving through central London, however we made it and also managed to get some great pitch side visits.

During Day 8 we covered 205 miles and 12 grounds. The grounds that we visited on Day 8 included:

81. Priestfield

82. The Valley

83. The Den

84. Stamford Bridge

85. Craven Cottage

86. Plough Lane

87. Selhurst Park

88. VBS Community Stadium

89. The Broadfield Stadium

90. The Amex

91. Fratton Park

92. St Mary's Stadium

Ending at St Mary's was a dream come true, becoming part of the 92 club 2500 miles. A journey that I will certainly never forget. I was then up at 8am the following day for Watford away with Saints.

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Joining the Ninety-Two Club – the obsession of visiting every football league ground

There is an exclusive group called the Ninety-Two Club, whose members have watched a competitive first-team match at every Premier League and EFL ground. Richard Sutcliffe has wanted to join for 40 years but his quest has proved less than straightforward.

Follow his journey as he ticks off those remaining eight grounds…

It started with a book. The Football Grounds of England and Wales by Simon Inglis, to be exact.

Buried in the appendix to this truly groundbreaking tome detailing the architecture of the venues that back in 1983 hosted the Football League was mention of something called “The Ninety-Two Club”.

“This dedicated group of enthusiasts,” wrote Inglis, “was set up in 1978 to recognise the achievements of those who have attended every Football League ground for a first-team match. By 1982, it had approximately 180 full members.”

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There and then an obsession was born. I simply had to do the same. A bold assertion, admittedly. Not least because that 10-year-old would more than likely have struggled to find Colchester or Reading on a map.

But, if anything, this boyhood desire to tick off each and every one of those 92 grounds only grew with each passing season. By the late 1980s, even games involving two teams I had no affinity for were on the menu.

Maine Road and the chance to watch Leicester City in the FA Cup amid a sea of inflatable bananas from the famous Kippax terrace? Count me in. Likewise, a freezing cold Friday night jaunt across the M62 to Oldham for the visit of Shrewsbury Town just a few days after my mate had passed his driving test.

Old Trafford was another chalked off after Nottingham Forest’s visit had been shifted from the usual 3pm Saturday slot, this time to the following afternoon as one of the few games shown live by ITV each season.

This was actually my second visit to Manchester United ’s home. The first had come three years earlier with my late father to watch Joe Lydon score one of the great rugby league international tries of all time for Great Britain against Australia .

That maiden trip, however, did not count under the Ninety-Two Club rules, which clearly state other sports simply do not pass muster. It was an early indication my planned odyssey around the country, ticking off grounds as I went, might not be as straightforward as originally thought.

Friendlies are also a no-no, according to the 10 qualifying commandments laid out on the Ninety-Two Club’s website. But “ World Cup , international and inter-League matches” are fine, as is a ground being used as a neutral venue for a competitive fixture, such as “an FA Cup semi-final” (these rules were drawn up at the time of the club’s formation).

Dad had been the one to introduce me to football. For reasons only he can answer, my first live game in 1978 had been at Preston North End’s Deepdale — 45 miles from our Keighley home in West Yorkshire, meaning there were a dozen closer clubs we could have visited.

But such an unusual choice set the tone for all manner of trips during my adolescent years, the majority when following his team, Burnley , to such far-flung places as Cambridge, Exeter, Gillingham and Torquay.

All followed a similar routine. First, the respective entries for the Abbey Stadium, Plainmoor et al in The Football Grounds of England and Wales would be devoured in the days before setting off.

Dad, thanks to a truly appalling sense of direction, would then invariably get lost trying to find the new ground with countless trips, including an impromptu stop-off at a railway goods yard or coal depot after being lured there by the mistaken belief that the floodlights on the horizon belonged to the local football club.

Finally, once back home, Inglis’ words — yes, I bought both his updated 1987 and 1996 editions — would be re-read with a sense of satisfaction that I, too, had now taken in the same surrounds.

By 21, I had moved to within single figures of reaching the Holy Grail. Eighty-four grounds had been ticked off and serious plans were afoot to complete the rest.

Spending three years studying in London had helped enormously, especially in terms of visiting grounds a little off my usual beaten track. Taking in the Fourth Division double-header that was Fulham v Barnet meant Underhill and Craven Cottage were added to my list of conquests along with Griffin Park and those famous four pubs that once adorned each corner of Brentford’s now former home .

Likewise, Millwall ’s old and new Dens, plus The Valley after Charlton Athletic had returned from seven years in exile at Selhurst Park and Upton Park. Another London club on the move during my time in the capital was Wimbledon, whose groundshare with Crystal Palace coincided with a brief spell I had selling programmes for the 1988 FA Cup winners.

It wasn’t a job that would make me rich. In fact, the commission of 3p per copy sold failed to even cover the cost of my return travel one Wednesday night from my digs in Lambeth, when Sheffield Wednesday’s visit drew the top flight’s then-lowest post-war crowd of 3,121.

But the free entry that accompanied shouting ‘One pound your programme’ in the best faux-EastEnders accent I could muster when standing on Holmesdale Road meant Selhurst Park was now worth two ticks, one for the Dons and another for their landlords, Crystal Palace.

Those carefree days in the capital meant I returned north in the summer of 1994 firmly believing it was just a matter of time before I’d be claiming that long sought-after membership. How naive I was.

Twenty-eight years on and I’m still eight grounds short. Not the same eight grounds, I hasten to add. Birmingham City , Bristol City , Bristol Rovers, Cardiff City , Notts County (now National League, so no longer in the Ninety-Two Club), Plymouth Argyle, Swansea City and Wycombe Wanderers were all subsequently ticked off. Twice, in the case of the two Welsh clubs due to both having moved home since the turn of the Millennium.

But others have taken their place, a combination of factors giving me an inkling as to how those painting the Forth Bridge must feel in terms of tackling a seemingly never-ending task.

First, the rush to relocation in the wake of the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster saw famous old venues such as Burnden Park and the Baseball Ground bite the dust while Highbury, Upton Park and White Hart Lane would also later be vacated.

Then there is the near constant churn towards the bottom of League Two via promotion/relegation to the National League. This year, I got off lightly. Sure, Scunthorpe and Oldham went following their departure from the EFL, but these two losses from my list were covered by the return of Stockport’s Edgeley Park and Grimsby’s Blundell Park.

In the three previous seasons, I’d been less fortunate with Salford City, Barrow and Sutton United all winning promotion. Holker Street was visited last season for a Friday night visit of Newport County, but new homes for Brentford and AFC Wimbledon during the past 12 months means I’m still no nearer to joining a club that today boasts 1,400 members, around 500 of whom are active in terms of keeping up with the changing landscape of the 92 grounds.

Working most Saturdays these past three years for The Athletic covering Sheffield United home and away — and before that, the previous two decades spent reporting on games mainly taking place in Yorkshire — means opportunities to chip away at those remaining grounds have been limited.

Now, though, with a big birthday looming on the horizon, I am determined to make this happen. Not for me, 50 half marathons in my 50th year. Or even 50 nights away.

No, the target is to finally earn that official certificate proving I’ve ‘done the 92′. I want the tie and pin badge complete with the Ninety-Two Club logo that are exclusive to members. I want the annual newsletter dropping through my letterbox every June. Above all, I want to fulfil a childhood ambition.

So, trips to Crawley, Cheltenham and half a dozen other grounds await. As no doubt does a look from my wife that screams, “Did I really marry this idiot?” when I casually drop into weekend conversation my plans to drive 175 miles to Gloucestershire to watch Forest Green Rovers the following Tuesday night.

Regardless, I can’t wait to get going. I just wish there was an updated version of Inglis’ seminal book to accompany me on those final steps towards joining one of football’s truly exclusive clubs.

(Top image: Sam Richardson for The Athletic)

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The 13 grounds you must visit on a European football road trip

Being in Europe means being on the doorstep of a bottomless pit of opportunity to catch some truly brilliant football matches, across cities packed with culture.

While there are some truly mesmerising football stadiums and genuine bucket list pipedreams of stadiums we’d love to visit worldwide, the advantage that a European road trip has is, well, exactly that – the close proximity allows for much more efficient groundhopping if you’re putting together a mini-road trip of sorts.

Taking into account factors such as beautiful stadiums, atmospheres and fan culture, good transport links and the things to do in each city, we’ve pulled together a list of 13 stadiums you ought to try and watch a game at on a European road trip.

In a bid to try and create as much variation as possible, we’ve done our best to limit this to one stadium per country, with a few exceptions.

Santiago Bernabeu – Madrid

Starting with the obvious ones, there is simply no excuse not to visit the Bernabeu if you find yourself in Spain – even more so now it’s been renovated.

Home to perhaps football’s biggest club, seeing a Real Madrid game is a genuine bucket list experience. Superstars galore in an institution so rich in history that it hurts.

It’s also just as easy to catch Real Madrid Femenino at the Alfredo Di Stefano while there, and Madrid is full of things to do as a tourist.

A no-brainer.

Camp Nou – Barcelona

Europe has an endless supply of brilliant football to the point where you could make a few weeks of just watching several games within one country, which is why this list is difficult to narrow down.

If you’re in Spain, though, and have the chance to visit both Barcelona and Madrid, visiting both stadiums simply has to be done. The Camp Nou is undergoing heavy renovations right now, but when it’s done, it’ll be an unmissable experience similar to that of the Bernabeu.

Away from the football, Barcelona is also a stunning city.

San Siro – Milan

Both Milan clubs have been keen to move out of San Siro – also known as the Giuseppe Meazza – for several years now, thus it’s hard to know exactly how long we’ve got left to visit one of football’s holy grails before it’s potentially knocked down.

READ:  I watched Inter Milan at the San Siro & discovered the meaning of life

Stade Velodrome – Marseille

An impressive 67,000-seater stadium in the South of France, the Velodrome looks like something from the future and is home to one of the most ferocious atmospheres in European football.

Marseille are a club steeped in history with nine Ligue 1 titles, 10 Coupe de France trophies and one Champions League, and their fans are notoriously passionate – sometimes too passionate.

Opened in 1937, the Velodrome has been a host of two World Cups and is also regularly used by France’s national rugby team. Away from the sport, there’s plenty to do in Marseille, a picturesque port city with lots of lovely architecture, good food and great weather.

Stadion An der Alten Försterei – Berlin

Germany is yet another nation where you’re essentially spoilt for choice when it comes to brilliant cities for football. Berlin, however, should be a priority.

The capital is swimming with fascinating history, plenty to do and two Bundesliga teams to enjoy watching. Watching Hertha is an option, but we’d prefer to go southeast and watch Union Berlin at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei.

A tightly-packed stadium surrounded by greenery, it holds just over 22,000 fans and has those all-important standing terraces which improve an atmosphere tenfold. It also has an exceptionally unique look and is easy to get to.

Affordable and one for the hipsters among us.

Signal Iduna Park – Dortmund

If you want a more well-known German football experience and are willing to spend a little more money on a ticket – merely due to such high demand – then a trip to Dortmund for a game is a no-brainer.

Home to the famous Yellow Wall, the Signal Iduna Park – also known as Westfalenstadion – champions one of the most impressive terrace-standing sections in the game behind the goal and is an absolute marvel.

Affordable beers, great food and the best part is that you can take those affordable beers to your seat.

Tickets might be a little harder to come by – especially if you want to be in the atmosphere sections – but if you can snag some, then do.

Some view, that.

Johan Cruyff ArenA – Amsterdam

A true footballing institution within a city where it’s impossible to be bored, a stop in Amsterdam coupled with a trip to the Johan Cruyff ArenA is the dream.

They might not be the footballing powerhouse that they once were, but to hear Ajax fans on home turf, those iconic shirts and the young guns taking their chance in such an impressive stadium is a must.

And like we’ve just alluded to, there’s much more to Amsterdam than just the football.

Fortuna Arena – Prague

While it doesn’t stand out among the big flashy names, the Czech Republic – and Prague in particular – is a hidden gem for a European football fix on a budget, and you get the full experience.

One of the game’s most underrated derbies is contested in the capital between Slavia Prague and Sparta Prague. It doesn’t stop there, though, with as many as six teams based in Prague.

We’ve highlighted Slavia and the Fortuna Arena, a 21,000-seater stadium east of the centre which has famous ultras – and a McDonald’s drive-thru built into the side of the ground. Really.

Don’t waste your time in the McDonald’s, though, get lost in the city centre and the various bars and restaurants. You won’t struggle.

The McDonald’s drive-thru in full view…

Old Trafford – Manchester

There is a very real possibility that Old Trafford as we know it will no longer exist in the not-too-distant future. That is an absurd thought and all the more reason for a trip to Manchester to watch Manchester United.

The Red Devils are a far cry from the force that they once were, but you’ll struggle to find someone who doesn’t concur that Old Trafford – when in full voice – is one of the greatest grounds ever to be stood in. Historic.

A weekend in Manchester around that isn’t bad, either. Bring a waterproof and get lost in bars, or take a train to any of the surrounding cities or more rural areas.

Anfield – Liverpool

From a stadium pending an overhaul to one which is coming out of a fantastic renovation phase, Anfield is merely down the motorway from Manchester and another brilliant bit of footballing history that’s a must for anyone wanting the Premier League experience.

Much like Old Trafford, snagging a ticket for a game at Anfield will be difficult – and/or cost you a pretty penny – but if you can get one, don’t hesitate.

Only a stone’s throw away from Manchester on the train, Liverpool is a brilliant city for a mini-break. If you like Manchester’s options, you’ll love Liverpool’s.

Henryk Reyman Stadium – Krakow

A brilliant holiday destination and always affordable, Krakow is just one of several brilliant cities to visit in Poland.

The national team play in Warsaw, another excellent city, but for a combination of football and good times then a trip to the  Stadion Miejski im. Henryka Reymana – home of Wisla Krakow – is a brilliant shout for the football fix.

A club steeped in history, the stadium looks brilliant. It’s tightly-packed and the stands sit right on top of the pitch. Krakow is also home to excellent food, cheap beer and plenty of culture.

Architecture, castles, the old town, an amazing square and museums – just to name a few recommendations.

Parken – Copenhagen

You might’ve noticed Copenhagen making a splash in the Champions League in recent times, one particularly big splash being their 4-3 victory at home to Manchester United in November 2023.

They did so at the ever-electric Parken, which has become home to some of the most impressive fan displays in recent times.

Compact, noisy and passionate, it’s a serious insight into just how good European football can be away from the big names. Just be sure to bring plenty of spends and your nicest clothes – the capital of Denmark is one stylish city.

A proper showing.

Besiktas Stadium – Istanbul

We’re finishing off this list in Turkey’s capital, where again you’ve got the pick of the bunch between several giants.

While Galatasaray or Fenerbahce might be the most obvious choice, Besiktas are a club who boast equal star power in the players they attract and their new stadium opened in 2016, making for a brilliant experience right on the Port of Istanbul, for even better views.

A bustling city with amazing mosques and museums as well as bars, food and tourist activities, it’s a trip that has it all – and one you can do at a fair price.

READ NEXT:  11 of the most iconic stadiums that we wished still existed: Highbury, Upton Park…

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I’ve visited 300 football grounds – should I be proud or embarrassed?

You don’t have to be a groundhopper to seek out new stadiums. It’s about finding contentment rather than being a completist

By Glen Wilson for When Saturday Comes

I t’s half time on a grey Saturday afternoon standing on the open end of Stockport County’s Edgeley Park. I take out my phone and log into the Futbology app, prompting a message: “Congratulations! You have visited ground number 300!” Its generous exclamation marks suggest I ought to feel pride. But if anything what waves over me instead is nearer embarrassment.

Because it’s not cool. While I’m no narcissist I still entertain the hope that others may view me as urbane, as metropolitan. Go to the football a bit and you’re not totally kissing that perception goodbye. No Venn diagram in the world overlaps GQ cover stars and people who’ve been to half the grounds in the Ardal North West. I could have spent all those Saturdays mastering a musical instrument, learning a new language, maybe two. I could’ve travelled; to new countries rather than new leagues. Imagine how interesting I could’ve been. How many of the world’s great raconteurs have anecdotes that hinge on a knowledge of the Southern Counties East Football League Division One?

Even giving myself a break on grounds visited in support of my team still leaves well over 100 I’ve been to without a dog in the fight. Twice watching Llannefydd I was asked if I was with the home or away team – by different people, I’m not deliberately belligerent. And I responded “neither” with a wince, because it can’t be sidestepped. “Neither” in this context elicits either a look of surprise, an open judgement of your moral compass, usually followed by the not unreasonable question, “then why are you here?” One freezing February day at Holmesdale I was even asked this by an assistant referee. Mid-game. Imagine having how you spend your Saturday afternoons questioned by a tenth-tier linesman.

Not everyone asks “why?”, some reach straight for the “G” word. And I find that harder. I’ve nothing against groundhoppers, I’ve met plenty, some of my best friends are groundhoppers. I just don’t consider myself one. I’m merely a man who happens to like visiting different football grounds, on his own, whilst documenting them on an app. And yet, people continue to want to label me a groundhopper; a spurious assumption based on nothing more than all the evidence available to them.

I used to kid myself I don’t look like a groundhopper, but a trip to watch Sevenoaks Town ended that. Four other people alighted at the same station and I recognised them all as groundhoppers. Solitary men, each carrying a bag, each pausing to check the local map or train departure times before plodding up the hill. But any superiority I felt ended seconds later as I caught my reflection in a car windscreen and like Samuel Beckett in Quantum Leap was bludgeoned with the stark reality of my appearance; I was unmistakably the quartet’s fifth member.

So I grudgingly concede any visible separation, but I still disassociate from groundhoppers. Because unlike them I’m not a completist. I’ve no drive to do the 92, I haven’t chalked off so much as a single division, and the prospect of an organised groundhop terrifies me – it’s just too much football, too concentrated, like necking undiluted squash. If you want to clear the Lowland League in three days, fine, but your thrill at ticking Dalbeattie Star should be tempered by the expectation of arriving home to find your family waiting, seated in a semicircle, ready to talk you through your actions.

But if not in pursuit of a numerical goal, how do I excuse it? Because you can’t visit that many football grounds passively. I can’t imagine any other building type I’ve been in 300 of. Shops? Unlikely. Pubs? Slightly more likely, but I still doubt it. Galleries? Museums? Theatres? No, no and no. A friend recently told me that to get off to sleep she thinks back through all the cupboards she’s ever encountered. I open a cupboard door every day, but could I say I’d used 300 of them? I wouldn’t be confident.

So why do I go? It’s not for joy – I support Doncaster Rovers – and it’s most certainly not to marvel at football’s greatest exponents in action, because even in my blinkered view I know I’m not going to find them in North Wales’ fourth tier. I can only surmise it’s because I’ve always done it. Since a childhood spent following my dad’s team round the Central Midlands League, watching live football has been the one constant handrail alongside the steps of my life. I don’t really know how to frame weekends without it, so if I must go week in, week out, then the least I can do is diversify the venue.

“Apparently this is my 300th football ground,” I told my mate as he returned from the snack bar. “Yeah? They’ve no food left,” he replied, deftly contextualising my “achievement” by virtue of not skipping a beat. His response conveyed that not only is this just a number, it’s also – despite my own protestations – completely within my character.

And though visiting lots of football grounds won’t ever be cool, nor of interest to most people I know, I will naturally continue to do it. Not for the satisfaction of a step towards completion, but for contentment, escapism and safety born from a comfortable inoffensive habit. That I’ve found 300 places to give me that probably is worth celebrating.

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