Worlds greatest stadiums

Anfield aside

What are the greatest stadiums in the world that you have been in or just seen on tv? Doesnt have to be the largest in size just your opinion on what yo feel is a top arena

Croke Park, Dublin

82,300 capacity. 144 meteres x 88 meters

Opened in 1913 "Croker" is the home of the GAA. Gaelic athletic association. An amateur organisation encompassing the sports of Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and handball. The all Ireland finals are held here as well as several provincial championship games.

Recently the Irish soccer and rugby trams have used the ground. Leinster v Munster in the heineken cup tie held here set a new record attendance of 82208 for a rugby union club game

At full capacity the atmosphere is electric, particularly when the Dublin football team are in action. Hill 16, so called as it was built from the rubble of the 1916 rising, is a terrace area and again when the Dublin team are in action it creates an outstanding atmosphere. In the 70's and early 80's it would compare to the Kop for atmospher songs and banter with the local police!!

Considering it was built by an amateur association Croke park in my view should always be regarded amongst the breat stadiums in the world. Its one downfall is the grey look it has on th outside   

For me, for one I have been to, it's Autzen Stadium right here in Eugene, Oregon. Widely regarded as one of the toughest places to play in all of college football, the atmosphere is absolutely cracking. The design of the stadium actually aids in trapping the noise inside and really making it hard for other teams to play. Unlike most other stadiums, it's actually built into the ground a bit - and then is built in a bowl shape, rather than the more traditional rectangle shape of most. Having been there myself, I can testify to how f**king loud it is. It's brilliant! And I was only in the cheap standing room spots up the top, apparently in the lower stands and field level it is MUCH much louder.

Autzen Crowd Noise

Autzen is known for its crowd noise. The fans are very close to the field compared to other stadiums and the field is sunken, which contributes to the loudness of the stadium despite having a smaller capacity than several other stadiums.[17]. On October 27, 2007, during a 24–17 defeat of the USC Trojans, a then-record crowd of 59,277 fans was recorded at 127.2 decibels. A similarly-loud 31–27 upset of third-ranked Michigan in 2003 prompted a Michigan Daily columnist to write[18]

          “Autzen's 59,000 strong make the Big House collectively sound like a pathetic whimper. It’s louder than any place I’ve ever been, and that includes The Swamp at Florida, The Shoe in Columbus, and Death Valley at Louisiana State. Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die.”

Michigan coach Lloyd Carr later said that Autzen Stadium was the loudest stadium he'd ever been in.[19]

In 2006, a Sporting News columnist named Autzen the most intimidating college football stadium in the nation.[20]

Lee Corso of ESPN College Gameday frequently says that; "Per person Autzen Stadium is the loudest stadium that I have ever been in my entire life!"[21]

Jahvid Best, a starting running back for the California Golden Bears said of his game in 2007 at Autzen Stadium, "The biggest thing I remember about that game is the crowd. The crowd noise is crazy up there. Honestly, any other away game I don't really even hear the crowd. Oregon was the only place where it really got on my nerves."[22]

As a head coach for the California Golden Bears, Jeff Tedford said, "Their fans are so educated that they're really prepared as far as when to make noise and when not to make noise. You can quiet some crowds down if you score early and things like that. Not in Autzen. They're going to keep roaring the whole game, that's just the way they are."[23]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autzen_Stadium

Autzen Stadium is Loud  

I have to say the Allianz Arena, looks great from outside and everything (my opinion) and is as modern as it gets.

The Allianz Arena is a football stadium in the north of Munich, Germany. The two professional Munich football clubs FC Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 München have played their home games at Allianz Arena since the start of the 2005–06 season.

Effective with the city's approval of modifications that was granted January 16, 2006, the legal capacity of the stadium has increased from 66,000 to 69,901 spectators (including standing room). The lower tier can seat up to 20,000, the middle tier up to 24,000, and the upper tier up to 22,000. 10,400 of the seats in the lower tier corners can be converted to standing room to allow an additional 3,120 spectators. The total capacity includes 2,000 business seats, 400 seats for the press, 106 luxury boxes with seating for up to 174 and 165 berths for wheelchairs and the like.

Stadium: 258 m x 227 m x 50 m
Playing level: 120 m x 83 m
Gross grass area: 111 m x 72 m
Playing field: 105 m x 68 m
Parking garage: 270,000 m²

The cost of the construction itself ran to €286 million but financing costs raised that figure to a total of €340 million. In addition, the city and State incurred approximately €210 million for area development and infrastructure improvements.

I've been at Allianz Arena, brilliant stadium, especially for a modern one.
I've been at Camp Nou aswell, brilliant stadium, F***ing huge too, I love old stadiums.

Big fan of the Allianz. Great footballing stadium.

I love Camp Nou and been there if only for a tour but from watching on TV I would love to go to a game at this stadium.

Westfalenstadion








Looks awesome.

The Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, Germany is supposed to be good and very atmospheric.

Personal favourite is the Nou Camp though.

The Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, Germany is supposed to be good and very atmospheric.

Having been there in 2001, I can agree with that

Unfortunately. I have never been to Anfield, yet.   However I have been to quite a few of the great US Stadiums and arenas. 

I have seen games at the following stadiums.

Wrigley Field...Bleachers....Chi cago
Yankee Stadium (Old)....NY
Fenway Park....Boston
Turner Field...Atlanta
Veterans Stadium...Philadelphia.. .Demolished 2004......THANK GOD!!!!!   sh*t hole.
Giants Stadium.....NJ
Comiskey Park....Chicago.....Demo lished 1991
Tiger Stadium....Detroit....De molished 2009
Municipal Stadium....Cleveland  Demolished 1998

Madison Square Garden....NYC
Boston Garden...Boston...Boston  Demolished 1994

This list makes up the majority of the classic American stadiums and arenas built at the start of the 20th century.  Classic architecture, great feel and ambiance.

My favorite, so far has been 2.   Boston Garden was a mecca. I am a big Celtics fan and was lucky enough to see them play back in the early 80's with that classic lineup. The Garden was such a great place to see a game.  Small, confined, great sounds and history as great as Liverpools. Truly remarkable arena.

Wrigley Field....A lot of personal memories with me and my father going to Cubs games in the middle of the summer. The park is beautiful and its classic.Ivy covered walls and brick facade around the field. Old manual scoreboard. Good beer and food. The best day out. Fans are great. 

The best Baseball Park in the world. Game day environment is like Mardi gras.  Enough said.

WRIGLEY FIELD

Aviva Stadium

Looks like a great stadium. Hopefully we'll be there in May.

Windsor Park.

Unfortunately. I have never been to Anfield, yet.   However I have been to quite a few of the great US Stadiums and arenas.  

I have seen games at the following stadiums.

Wrigley Field...Bleachers....Chi cago
Yankee Stadium (Old)....NY
Fenway Park....Boston
Turner Field...Atlanta
Veterans Stadium...Philadelphia.. .Demolished 2004......THANK GOD!!!!!   sh*t hole.
Giants Stadium.....NJ
Comiskey Park....Chicago.....Demo lished 1991
Tiger Stadium....Detroit....De molished 2009
Municipal Stadium....Cleveland  Demolished 1998

Madison Square Garden....NYC
Boston Garden...Boston...Boston  Demolished 1994

This list makes up the majority of the classic American stadiums and arenas built at the start of the 20th century.  Classic architecture, great feel and ambiance.

My favorite, so far has been 2.   Boston Garden was a mecca. I am a big Celtics fan and was lucky enough to see them play back in the early 80's with that classic lineup. The Garden was such a great place to see a game.  Small, confined, great sounds and history as great as Liverpools. Truly remarkable arena.

Wrigley Field....A lot of personal memories with me and my father going to Cubs games in the middle of the summer. The park is beautiful and its classic.Ivy covered walls and brick facade around the field. Old manual scoreboard. Good beer and food. The best day out. Fans are great.  

The best Baseball Park in the world. Game day environment is like Mardi gras.  Enough said.

WRIGLEY FIELD

Wrigley is definitely great. Along with Fenway - the two best baseball parks.

I agree with the old Boston Garden. It was crumbling when I was there, but wow what atmosphere. The upper deck hung closely over the court (or ice when the Bruins played). I recall sitting in the front row of the balcony on a corner during a Celtics playoff game in the 1980s and I was half ecstatic and half terrified. The balcony was shaking and also swaying slightly at our corner as people jumped around. It was like being on a good roller coaster -- you knew it wouldn't collapse but your mind worried it would.   The replacement arena has no soul and if you are on the upper levels you are a mile from the action. It's a shame.

Another two stadiums which appear to create brilliant atmospheres when I've seen them on TV are these

Mestalla

         





And La Bombonera ( Boca Juniors)

Looks like they run out of funding half way through the build, don't you think

Looks like they run out of funding half way through the build, don't you think

It does mate!

Apparently the vertical stand sways from side to side when the other fans are jumping up and down.

I remember seeing it on a documentary about Maradona and the atmosphere looked electric.

Aviva Stadium

Looks like a great stadium. Hopefully we'll be there in May.

Hope we don't get given this end though!

Cowboys Stadium, pretty much America's version of Wembley in the fact of the time and money it took to build. I dislike most of the things about Jerry Jones and his organisation, but it's hard not to admire the stadium itself. Modern, technological, great.

Maracanã.

One of the most important stadiums in football history.

It's like a 2nd home to me, only 10 minutes from my house. I'm missing it a lot since it's been under repairs for the WC 2014, but it's gonna be even better when it's done.

Maracanã.

One of the most important stadiums in football history.

It's like a 2nd home to me, only 10 minutes from my house. I'm missing it a lot since it's been under repairs for the WC 2014, but it's gonna be even better when it's done.

One stadium I really would like to visit, just for all the great players that have played there.

And that top pic is F***ing brilliant, I love flares!!

Hope we don't get given this end though!

That end would bee good , To get the atmosphere going and the banners tied up on the bit behind it.

I went to Prague one month ago. I took a trip to Strahov Stadium. Imagine 9 football pitches and stands all around. F*ck yeah, a capacity of 250 000 !!

Wrigley is definitely great. Along with Fenway - the two best baseball parks.

I agree with the old Boston Garden. It was crumbling when I was there, but wow what atmosphere. The upper deck hung closely over the court (or ice when the Bruins played). I recall sitting in the front row of the balcony on a corner during a Celtics playoff game in the 1980s and I was half ecstatic and half terrified. The balcony was shaking and also swaying slightly at our corner as people jumped around. It was like being on a good roller coaster -- you knew it wouldn't collapse but your mind worried it would.  The replacement arena has no soul and if you are on the upper levels you are a mile from the action. It's a shame.

It had a great feel to it  It had no AC in it so during the playoffs in NBA that had giant fans at either end of the arena and opened the doors to circulate air. When the Bruins played and it was hot the arena would fog up from the ice. The facilities were awful but it was such a great arena.

I dont know how it happened but we got away from the classic arena and stadium feels for corporate monstrosities of glass and aluminum. We need more Fenway's and Gardens and Wrigley Fields.

One stadium I really would like to visit, just for all the great players that have played there.

And that top pic is f**king brilliant, I love flares!!

Flamengo - Entrada do Mengão - Mengão Hexacampeão!!! (Fla x Grêmio - 06/12/2009)

Maior mosaico do mundo - Flamengo / Olympikus.

Aside from Anfield obviously, but would have to echo the OP, Croke Park is just awesome.




it even has it's own 'Kop' - Hill 16

You can't beat Holker Street...

Can't beat Hampden On a sunny saturday Afternoon.

Since College Football is coming up soon here are some of the immortal stadiums in the US....

The Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio. Home of the Ohio State Buckeyes


The Big House in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Home of the Michigan Wolverines - capacity 109,901


Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Home of the LSU Tigers - amazing thing about this stadium is the upper decks. When you see them in person they look freakishly high, can't believe people actually sit up there

Lambeau Field in Green Bay Wisconsin USA, home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Imagine Anfield on a block of snow and ice, that's basically what it is and what the fan support is like. Green Bay is the only NFL club owned by the supporters. Lambeau is nicknamed The Frozen Tundra.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJTpwrqsJWE

All these are amazingly beautiful sports places. Thanks for the photos. By the way, I want to invite you guys if you'll never have the chance to watch all these exciting games live from these great stadiums, you could have the best option at Rileys Fanzone. Enjoy the Fanzone experience! You'll love the big HD screens, 3D,comfortable seating and a Sports Bar experience second to none. Thanks Everyone!

One of the great one in CONCACAF is Azteca Stadium in Mexico City which sits over 100k and is home to Club American.

Impressive but with no running track, why have the pitch so far away from the stands?

From personal experience following the Reds I would say the Millennium at Cardiff and the Nou Camp are both fantastic stadiums.

In the future would love to go and see us at the Allianz or Mestalla, proper football stadiums.

Next World Cup final should be in this beast

It will be!

I miss it so much, can't wait for it to re-open, but it'll only happen in 2013.

I did a tour of the San Siro while on holiday in Italy and it is every bit as impressive as it looks in a picture. The structure of the stadium with those pillars and roof make it stand out from most other European stadiums and it is one of my favourites.

The San Siro is amazing, I did the tour as well, also watched Milan 3-0 Sampdoria there. The atmosphere was great, Milan were on their way to become Italian champions so the crowd was very excited.

Old Tiger Stadium.
The Big House.
Camp Nou.
Madison Square Garden.

Most are American, as that's where I live.

Aside from Anfield, the only really major stadiums I've gone to is Wembley, Stadium of Light, Riverside & DW. Outside of England I've visited the Amway Arena in Orlando to watch WWE Raw.



And of course the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, to watch Barca get smashed by Guadalajara last summer. Great game and wonderful stadium.



First three goals in this game are boss:

FC Barcelona 1-4 Chivas Guadalajara | All Goals, Only goals | 4/8/2011

I went to the Azteca about 10 years ago.  That was amazing

Only been to a stadium tour of the Nou Camp which was impressive enough so still need to go to a game there, but there is only one Anfield.  After 30 years plus of going, but never a season ticket holder, it still makes my hair on the back of my neck stand up and puts a tear in my eye

Cowboys Stadium, pretty much America's version of Wembley in the fact of the time and money it took to build. I dislike most of the things about Jerry Jones and his organisation, but it's hard not to admire the stadium itself. Modern, technological, great.

I like some of the features, I like how the roof opens horizontally and down the sides. I like that the windows on both ends can open and you get the air flow. I dont hate it, but I dont really like it either.  Its that whole "Bigger is better" Texas, sh*t. I prefer more intimate parks where your closer to the field and confined. I dont want a 160 ft x 78 ft TV plastered in front of me either.

Not too mention its a 1.2 BILLION dollar stadium and it has a turf field.  Turf sucks. Its ugly and just looks like sh*t, it looks cheap and fake. Not just the turf at Dallas but everywhere.Sports is meant to be played on grass not green carpet. If they can have a grass field in Green Bay or Cleveland, they can put grass anywhere. They should of made the field like the AZ Cardinals. That Cardinals stadium is awesome. The design and look and real grass in a dome. They just wheel the entire field out into the sun and water and cut it and let it grow, then wheel it in for the games.

Next World Cup final should be in this beast

Brazil 2014 should be absolutely immense. The real home of football, carnival, sun, sea and air. What an occasion that will be and what a legendary stadium the Maracana is.