10 stadiums you have to visit as a football fan before you die

Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world, with an estimated fan base of around 3.5 billion people. Between us, we have no issue recognising the brilliance of different players, managers and teams, but many of us struggle to pay the stadiums the amount of respect they deserve.

Behind every great footballing, no matter how big or small, was a football stadium making the whole event possible. In virtually every continent other than Antarctica, there are a wide variety of fantastic grounds, from those that are almost as old as the game itself, to the sleek, modern venues we see built before major tournaments.

They are far more than just football stadiums; they become a second home for many supporters, a place where stresses are forgotten and dreams can be made.

With that in mind, this list will run through the top 10 stadiums every football fan must visit before they die.

10. Estadio Monumental

Starting off the list is the largest venue in South America, but there is so much more to the Estadio Monumental, home of Argentine giants River Plate, than just its size.

Annually hosting the fiercest derby in South America between River and their Buenos Aires rivals Boca Juniors, as well as numerous Argentina national team matches, this venue can lay claim to being one of the best in the world for football, which also features an athletics running track around it.

The distance between the supporters and the pitch does little to detract from the atmosphere, though, and the sheer vastness of the stadium, as well as witnessing one of the world’s most raucous fan bases in action, means this should be on any football fan’s bucket list.

9. Estadio Azteca

One of the rare stadiums to host two World Cup finals, the Estadio Azteca in Mexico is steeped in history, and a hugely significant cultural landmark in this football-mad country, as well as being one of the world’s biggest and most impressive footballing structures.

Concerns about the stadium falling into disrepair should be alleviated, especially considering that the Azteca will play a key role in Mexico's co-hosting of the World Cup in 2026. The venue is currently undergoing renovations to prepare for this major football event.

The Azteca will host the first match of the tournament, which will feature Mexico, with that occasion already set to be one of the liveliest, most colourful, and awe-inspiring sights seen at the finals.

8. Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

You will be hard pressed to go anywhere in Europe to find a group of supporters more fanatical about their club than Neapolitans are about Napoli, and that is illustrated perfectly when the Stadio San Paolo, now named after legendary figure Diego Maradona, is packed to the rafters on matchday.

Possibly due to the influence of Maradona, as well as the fact that Napoli play in blue and white, there is a distinctly Argentinian feel to the stadium, as well as the nearby area, with murals and homages paid to footballers who have achieved success with the club.

On multiple occasions, the atmosphere at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium has triggered decibel-level warnings, as well as earthquake monitors. Any football fan who likes to associate with fellow lovers of the game simply must visit Naples and immerse themselves with the locals, especially on a matchday.

7. Maracana

Another venue that truly stands the test of time is the Maracana in Brazil, which was at one stage the most famous stadium in the world, being the home venue of the Selecao that dominated the international stage for decades, and the history between these walls, as well as the stunning exterior and interior of such a historic venue make it a must-see.

The stadium was the centre of some negative headlines concerning its decline following the 2016 Olympics, after it played a big role in hosting that event, as well as the 2014 World Cup, but it is now back on track, hosting the final of the Copa America in both 2019 and 2021, albeit with a much lower attendance than the 200,000 that piled in during the 1950 World Cup.

Flamengo, Fluminense and Vasco da Gama all play their home matches here, while it is frequently a venue for the Brazil national team, as well as being chosen for major tournament finals held in the country, illustrating its importance and its standing in the sport.

6. La Bombonera

The other venue that hosts South America’s fiercest derby is Boca Juniors’ home of La Bombonera, also known as the chocolate box, which undoubtedly has the most unique look of any stadium on this list.

A stunning exterior draped in the blue and yellow colours of Boca is also renowned for the fact that the East Stand is “flat”, comprising purely of stacked boxes, due to the tight land use around the venue making it impossible to build another full-sized stand in that part of the stadium.

It is also world-famous because it is one of the rare venues that shakes, not just metaphorically, but physically, due to the intense atmosphere created by the Boca supporters, who are among the most hardcore fans in the world, meaning acquiring tickets can be a challenge, but few venues are more worthy of a visit.

5. Anfield

Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC, is known for having one of the most intimidating atmospheres in Europe, particularly on a Champions League night. It is one of the most famous football stadiums and a top destination on many people's bucket lists.

Home to the Kop, one of the most famous stands in world football, supporters and neutrals alike flock to Anfield every fortnight to see the current Premier League champions and to experience the pre-match ritual of singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in particular.

The traditional feel to Anfield is also something that is becoming a rarity in the English game, especially with local rivals Everton ditching their historical home of Goodison Park to move to a new state-of-the-art stadium on the city’s waterfront in the coming months, while Manchester United down the M62 are also looking to move away from Old Trafford, meaning Anfield could become a one-of-a-kind venue in the coming years.

4. Camp Nou

Despite currently being closed for renovation, Barcelona’s Camp Nou should be on every football fan’s list of venues to visit before they die, being one of the most iconic stadiums in the sport, which plays host to one of the game’s biggest clubs.

The sheer vastness of Camp Nou is staggering and can be highly intimidating, with its steep stands. Its current renovation work is making it even bigger, with attendance set to rise to 105,000, making it the third-largest sporting stadium in the world upon completion.

While the Bernabeu has adopted a sleek, modern design, Barcelona remain committed to tradition, reinforcing the foundations of Camp Nou and preserving the atmosphere that Culers have cherished for decades.

Good news for Culers everywhere, as well as all true football fans – the Camp Nou renovations are expected to be partially completed by August 2025, which will allow the team to finally return home. It’s a massive plus in favour of Barcelona, as the home-field advantage is something you can’t put a price on. Football fans across Europe have been waiting for this moment for quite some time, and we believe now is the time to visit this spectacular venue.

However, you should know that the finishing touches will require an extra year, as the completion date is scheduled for June 2026. Barcelona president Joan Laporta is undoubtedly eager to see Camp Nou reach its full potential, and we are convinced that after the renovations are done, Barcelona’s home will be one of the most beautiful venues in Europe, if not the most beautiful.

3. Santiago Bernabeu

Barcelona’s work on Camp Nou has followed Real Madrid’s renovation of the Santiago Bernabeu at the start of the 2020s, which completely revolutionised the structure and facilities available at the stadium.

The most important feature of any football stadium is the spectator experience, though, and the Bernabeu’s futuristic upgrades make it a truly incredible venue to witness, and well worth the £1.5bn spent on its renovation.

While it is smaller than Camp Nou, which seats 81,000 fans, this venue still boasts one of the most electrifying atmospheres in football. The addition of a retractable roof enhances the experience, and the significance of every Real Madrid match, regardless of the opponent, makes attending a game here a must-see.

2. Signal Iduna Park

Home to possibly the world’s most well-known stand, Borussia Dortmund’s home of the Signal Iduna Park is a truly remarkable venue to visit, and leaves fans in awe at the architectural masterpiece in front of them.

The Yellow Wall, located on the South Stand of the stadium, has become world famous, and a place where tickets are highly sought after week by week, housing 24,500 standing supporters, and producing arguably the best atmosphere in world football.

When clubs from the richest league in football are taking inspiration from your stadium and implementing them into their new builds, then you must have done something right, and that is what has happened with the Signal Iduna Park, as Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have both used the blueprint of the Yellow Wall in their own state-of-the-art homes.

German football also comes with the added benefit of being incredibly cheap compared to other major European football leagues, particularly for away fans. If you want excellent value for money, an incredible atmosphere and elite-level football on display, you cannot go wrong with Signal Iduna Park.

😳 Borussia Dortmund found themselves in 𝟏𝟏𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭 at the end of February when Niko Kovac took over.

Seven wins out of eight games later, the team made sure the yellow wall will once again rock the Champions League next season 🎶pic.twitter.com/3dD6jnW01C

— DW Sports (@dw_sports) May 17, 2025

1. San Siro

The top spot in a list like this has to be reserved for something special, and that is exactly what San Siro is. It is one of the most spectacular structures in football, loaded with history, and has a cauldron-like atmosphere and a throwback feel in the era of state-of-the-art venues.

It also gets its fair share of use, as Italian juggernauts AC Milan and Inter Milan both call it home. The Italian national team frequently plays matches here, too, so it is by no means tough to catch a game at this historic arena.

What also puts San Siro at the top of this list is that out of all the other venues mentioned here, this cathedral of football is at the greatest risk of being lost to the demands of modern football. Both Milan and Inter have expressed intentions in the past to move to a new state-of-the-art stadium, so do not hesitate to book those tickets.