As the curtains fall on each football World Cup, the stadiums that once hosted the global sporting extravaganza undergo a series of pragmatic changes.
Beyond the cheers and celebrations, these stadiums face the practical challenges of finding purpose in the post-tournament landscape.
From the adaptive strategies of Qatar's stadiums to the deserted grandeur of Brazil's Maracana, the evolution of these venues reflects a more straightforward narrative of repurposing, adaptation, and, in some cases, neglect.
Here we look at the state of stadiums following the World Cups in Brazil and Qatar and look ahead to the plans for the stadiums that will be used at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
What has happened to the Qatar World Cup stadiums?
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar has left behind a legacy of architectural brilliance with seven state-of-the-art stadiums. As the tournament bid farewell, attention turned to Qatar's apparent commitment to a sustainable future for these World Cup stadiums.
Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
Khalifa International Stadium, where Japan made a historic group stage victory over Spain, is the only stadium that has been left as is and is now the Qatar national team's home.
Stadium 974, Doha
Renowned for its unique design using 974 shipping containers, the ground was praised for being the world's first ‘transportable stadium’.
Due to its ability to be dismantled and reassembled, Stadium 974 (formerly known as the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium) was initially slated for donation post-World Cup. Initially, it was expected to move to Africa, but other reports suggested that it could end up in Uruguay.
Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan & Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
These stadiums have undergone a 50% reduction in capacity, with around 40,000 seats being donated to sub-Saharan African nations for football infrastructure. The Qatar Stars League will use both stadiums, ensuring their ongoing contribution to local sports.
Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan
Located within multiple university campuses at the Qatar Foundation’s Education City, Education City Stadium will remain part of Qatar's education hub. The stadium has retained around half of its 44,667 capacity for use by universities and educational facilities.
Lusail and Al Bayt Stadiums
Al Bayt Stadium has continued to play a prominent role beyond the World Cup, staging Qatari league games, the 2023 Asian Cup and other international events. Its surroundings have also taken shape as intended, with public parks, restaurants, hospitality facilities and retail spaces turning the area into a lively community destination.
The adjacent village and landscaped green zone, developed alongside the stadium, are now open to the public and provide valuable recreational space in a region known for its harsh climate and fast-paced growth.
Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor
Inspired by traditional woven caps, Al Thumama Stadium has seen a reduction in seating capacity and repurposing for sporting facilities.
What will happen to the 2026 World Cup stadiums?
The 2026 World Cup will be held in the USA, Mexico and Canada but due to how established sport is in these countries, not nearly as much construction work is needed compared to what happened in Qatar.
In fact, not a single stadium is being built for the tournament, which is just as well considering this will be the largest World Cup to date.
USA
The USA will host more matches at the tournament than the other two nations with 11 stadiums selected as hosts. The majority of stadiums selected by the USA are currently used by NFL teams and will continue that way after the tournament has finished. Due to rising heat concerns, FIFA has already indicated a preference for more covered or indoor stadiums for daytime fixtures, with venues such as AT&T Stadium (Dallas), NRG Stadium (Houston), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) and BC Place (Vancouver) likely to feature more prominently because of their roof structures and climate-controlled environments.
Mexico
Three of the World Cup 2026 host stadiums are in Mexico, including the legendary Estadio Azteca which boosts a capacity of 87,523. While historic, the Azteca is undergoing renovation work ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
This work will arguably be the biggest legacy left behind from the tournament as it will take the capacity to the 90,000 mark. Works around the stadium and surrounding transport infrastructure are also underway to modernise access routes, public spaces and fan experience.
The stadium is being upgraded with a new hybrid playing surface, enhanced lighting systems and internal improvements to meet FIFA standards in time for its record third World Cup appearance.
Canada
Canada only have two host venues for the World Cup, due to the fact it isn't a nation full of huge stadiums like the USA. The two Canadian stadiums that are being used for the World Cup are currently used by MLS teams.
What happened to the Brazil World Cup stadiums?
After the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the fate of the iconic stadiums tells a tale of glory, decay, and transformation.
Controversy at the Maracana since the 2014 World Cup
At the heart of this narrative stands the legendary Maracana. The Maracana, inaugurated in 1950 for the World Cup, holds the bittersweet memory of Brazil's defeat to Uruguay in the final round. The stadium also hosted the final of the 2014 tournament in which Mario Götze’s extra-time goal saw Germany beat Argentina 1-0.
Post-2016 Olympics, however, the stadium entered a period of neglect. Photos surfaced in 2017 revealing a dried-up field, ripped seats, and shattered windows—a stark contrast to its former glory.
A debt dispute of R$3 million led to a power outage, symbolising the tumult between the stadium's owner, operator, and the Rio Olympics committee. French group Lagardère stepped in, signing an agreement in 2017 to administer Maracana.
CNN‘s report in 2017 depicted Maracana as a ghostly figure, its gates padlocked, tours suspended, and vandalism rampant. Violent incidents and a break-in resulting in the loss of valuable memorabilia painted a grim picture.
Despite the challenges, Lagardère's intervention brought hope, with Maracana reclaiming its status as a footballing icon.
Since, the stadium has received spending of R$15 million on emergency repairs and has turned itself into a fitting final venue again having hosted the Copa America final in 2019 and 2021. The journey from abandonment to hosting major fixtures reflects the enduring spirit of Maracanã.
More recently, the stadium has again been at the centre of debate, with discussions underway about a potential sale by the state government to ease financial pressure. Any sale would be complicated by existing concession agreements that run until 2044, and strong local opposition has already emerged to protect what many consider a national monument.
What will happen to the stadiums after the World Cup? A Brazil case study
Moving beyond Maracana, other 2014 World Cup stadiums faced diverse destinies. Sao Paulo's Arena Corinthians, now home to Corinthians, witnessed increased attendance but struggled with maintenance costs.
Brasilia's Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, named after a Brazilian football legend, stands as one of the most expensive stadiums globally. Despite hosting seven World Cup games in 2014, it faced an uncertain future.
Pictured in 2015 as a bus parking lot, the grandeur of its World Cup days seemed to have given way to a utilitarian role. However, like with the Maracana the ground made a U-turn and even hosted seven games at the 2021 Copa América.
Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, the stage for Brazil's unforgettable 7-1 defeat to Germany, continued its role as Cruzeiro's home. Owned by the state of Minas Gerais, the stadium maintained its essence without significant post-World Cup alterations.
Estadio Beira-Rio, the home stadium for Sport Club Internacional, stood out as one of the few privately-owned venues from the 2014 World Cup. While avoiding major developments, the stadium diversified its usage, welcoming global music acts like Green Day, Paul McCartney, and Bon Jovi for concerts.
Manaus' Arena da Amazonia, notorious for its extreme heat during the World Cup, remained largely untouched. Criticised for its underuse, the stadium opted for occasional gigs, grappling with the balance between functionality and community engagement.
Natal's Arena das Dunas, built exclusively for the World Cup, had to attempt to gain funding by hosting weddings and kids' parties.
The post-2014 fate of Brazil's World Cup stadiums exemplifies the intricate dance between legacy, functionality, and financial viability. As these arenas navigate diverse paths, they stand as testaments to the broader global conversation about the lasting impact of mega sporting events on infrastructure and communities.