Best foreign stadiums to visit during international break including Johan Cruyff Arena, Stadio Olimpico

The first international break of the 2026/27 season offers football fans the chance to combine a European city break with some live football.

The UEFA Nations League gets underway on 24 September, with four matchdays taking place across the September and October window.

For supporters who enjoy visiting new grounds as much as watching the football itself, there are some interesting options across Europe that you can visit.

From modern arenas in Slovenia and Turkey to famous old stadiums in Rome, Brussels and Belgrade, this is a great opportunity to tick off another ground.

Here, FootballGroundGuide picks out 10 foreign stadiums worth visiting during the September and October international break.

Stozice Stadium, Ljubljana, Slovenia

• Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
• Capacity: 16,038
• Opened: 2010
• Match: Slovenia v Scotland, 26 September

Ljubljana is a European city that works particularly well for a football weekend. It is compact, easy to explore and has plenty of bars and restaurants around the city centre, while Stozice Stadium is only a short journey away.

The stadium itself is one of the more modern grounds on this list. Opened in 2010, it is home to Olimpija Ljubljana and the Slovenia national team, with its distinctive roof and steep stands giving it a very different feel from some of Europe's older international venues.

Scotland are the visitors on September 26, with football fans encouraged to make the trip to Slovenia.

Kocaeli Stadium, Izmit, Turkey

📍Kocaeli Stadium, Izmit, Turkey 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/GdkkJAIgLK

— The world in Frames (@world_tourists_) July 13, 2026

• Location: Izmit, Turkey
• Capacity: 34,829
• Opened: 2018
• Match: Turkey v France, 25 September

If you want to visit somewhere a little different, Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit is an interesting option. The city sits close to Istanbul, making it possible to combine the match with time in one of Europe's most fascinating cities.

Kocaeli Stadium opened in 2018 and is the home of Kocaelispor. With almost 35,000 seats and a modern design, it provides a very different experience from some of Turkey's more traditional grounds, while still offering the passionate atmosphere associated with Turkish football.

France are the visitors on 25 September as Turkey begin their Nations League campaign.

Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway

Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/qGLkROeseu

— Ryan (@rxnpixels) July 30, 2022

• Location: Oslo, Norway
• Capacity: 27,182
• Opened: 1926
• Match: Norway v Portugal, 27 September

Oslo is an excellent option for supporters looking to combine an international match with a Scandinavian city break. The Norwegian capital is compact enough to explore over a couple of days, while Ullevaal Stadion is easily accessible from the centre and has been the home of the Norway national team for a century.

Opened in 1926, Ullevaal is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It has undergone several major redevelopments over the decades but remains a traditional football stadium rather than one of the giant modern arenas found elsewhere in Europe.

Portugal will be the opposition on 27 September in one of the more attractive fixtures of this international break.

King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgium

• Location: Brussels, Belgium
• Capacity: 50,093
• Opened: 1930
• Match: Belgium v France, 28 September

Few European international venues have quite as much history as the King Baudouin Stadium. The ground opened in 1930 and, despite major redevelopment over the years, remains one of the most recognisable venues in Belgium.

The stadium is in the Heysel area of Brussels, with public transport making it straightforward to reach from the city centre. It is also a particularly interesting destination for supporters because of the site's long sporting history.

France visit Belgium on 28 September for what should be one of the standout fixtures of the international break.

Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy

• Location: Rome, Italy
• Capacity: Around 70,000
• Opened: 1953
• Match: Italy v Belgium, 25 September

It is difficult to compile a list of European football grounds worth visiting without including the Stadio Olimpico. The stadium has been one of the centrepieces of Italian football for decades and has hosted major European and international matches throughout its history.

The present stadium was inaugurated in 1953 when Italy played Hungary. It was subsequently redeveloped for the 1960 Olympics and underwent another major transformation ahead of the 1990 World Cup. Today, it remains home to Roma and Lazio and is a regular venue for Italy internationals.

Belgium are the visitors on 25 September in what should be a fascinating clash between two talented teams.

Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal

• Location: Lisbon, Portugal
• Capacity: 50,095
• Opened: 2003
• Match: Portugal v Wales, 24 September

Lisbon is another city that needs little introduction as a football destination and Estadio Jose Alvalade offers visitors the chance to experience one of Portugal's best-known modern grounds. The stadium is home to Sporting and is located in the north of the city, with straightforward public transport connections.

Opened in 2003, the ground has a capacity of just over 50,000 and was one of the major venues used during Euro 2004. Its colourful exterior and distinctive stands make it particularly recognisable, while the surrounding area has plenty of options for food and drink before and after the match.

Portugal face Wales there on September 24 in the opening round of Nations League fixtures.

Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark

• Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Capacity: 38,065
• Opened: 1992
• Match: Denmark v Portugal, 1 October

Parken is one of those grounds that will feel very familiar to British football supporters, despite being outside the UK. Opened in 1992, it has hosted Denmark internationals, European club matches and major concerts, while its location makes it easy to combine a match with a few days in Copenhagen.

The stadium is situated close to the city centre and is well served by public transport. Its relatively compact size also encourages a great atmosphere, making it a must-visit for football fans.

Portugal visit Copenhagen on October 1 in what should be a fascinating clash.

Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia

• Location: Belgrade, Serbia
• Capacity: 51,755
• Opened: 1963
• Match: Serbia v Netherlands, 27 September

Belgrade is one of Europe's classic football cities and the Rajko Mitic Stadium is right at the centre of that culture. Better known to many supporters as the home of Red Star Belgrade, the stadium has a reputation for producing an intimidating atmosphere on big European and international nights.

Opened in 1963, the ground is one of the older major stadiums on this list. Its size and traditional design give it a different character from the newer arenas found elsewhere in Europe, while the history attached to Red Star makes a visit particularly worthwhile for football fans.

The Netherlands are the visitors on 27 September and supporters should expect a lively atmosphere around the ground.

Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Capacity: 55,865
• Opened: 1996
• Match: Netherlands v Germany, 24 September

The Johan Cruyff Arena is one of the more obvious picks on this list. Amsterdam is exceptionally well connected from the UK, while the stadium has excellent public transport links and is only a short journey from the city centre.

Opened in 1996, the ground is home to Ajax and regularly hosts Netherlands internationals. The retractable roof and large stands give it a distinctly modern feel, while the stadium's connection with Johan Cruyff makes it an especially recognisable venue for football fans.

Germany are the opposition on 24 September in one of the standout fixtures of the international break.

WWK Arena, Augsburg, Germany

• Location: Augsburg, Germany
• Capacity: 30,660
• Opened: 2009
• Match: Germany v Greece, 27 September

Augsburg provides something slightly different from the better-known European football destinations on this list. The city is compact and historic, while the WWK Arena is a modern football ground situated south of the city centre.

Opened in 2009, the stadium is home to FC Augsburg and holds 30,660 spectators at full capacity, with its steep stands specially designed to create a close atmosphere.

Germany face Greece at the WWK Arena on September 27 in what will be the first international match held at the ground since 2016.