The 91st is an OrlandoCitySC.com blog that aims to approach the worlds game with a laid-back and relaxed approach. We’ll cover a range of topics, including Allison's look at her bucket list of stadiums from around the world. Would you like to submit a post idea or contribute yourself? Email us here.
There are a lot of beautiful and exciting stadiums in the world. As a nod to our own brand new stadium, I decided to rank my top ten must-visit stadiums around the world. Here is what I came up with:
10. Svangaskard Stadium, Faroe Islands
The stadium hosts the Faroe Islands National Team, and sits roughly 6,000 people. It’s a small stadium right on the edge of the water. While certainly not a large or well-known stadium, it’s small feel and beautiful view provide an interesting atmosphere for a soccer match.
9. Estadi Comunal d'Andorra la Vella, Andorra
If you thought Svangaskard stadium was small at 6,000, this tiny stadium in Andorra seats only 1,300. It hosts the Andorra National Team matches and many of the matches for the country’s top two leagues. It doesn’t boast many amenities, but it is located between two snow-capped mountains.
8. Allianz Arena, Germany
This stadium is home to Bayern Munich of the Bundesliga. It’s one of the biggest and most modern stadiums in Europe, and boasts a cool facade and a Bayern Munich museum inside the stadium. It is the third venue that Bayern Munich has played in over their 117 year history.
7. Signal Iduna Park, Germany
Signal Iduna Park hosts Borussia Dortmund, one of the most successful clubs in Germany. The stadium is most-noted for “The Yellow Wall,” Europe’s largest standing only section that holds over 24,000 fans. The Yellow Wall was an inspiration for Orlando City Stadium’s standing section, also known as “The Wall.”
6. Estádio Municipal de Braga, Portugal
The stadium was carved from the face of Monte do Castro. Half the stadium faces the quarry, while the other half overlooks the city. It’s design is unique, a canopy-style roof held together by steel strings that was inspired by Incans and an underground plaza that connects the stands. It is a UEFA certified stadium and hosted games for the 2004 Euro tournament, as well as Champions League and Europa League.
5. Maracana Stadium, Brazil
The stadium opened in 1950 to host the 1950 World Cup. Since then, it has hosted countless soccer events, including the 2014 World Cup Final and the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2016 Olympics. Similar to Old Trafford, it houses a lot of history and is arguably one of the most famous stadiums in soccer. Orlando City had the honor of playing in the historic stadium in a friendly against Flamengo in 2015.
4. Ipurua, Spain
In a league full of big stadiums, Ipurua marks one of the most interesting stadiums in La Liga. Located at the foot of Basque country, it seats roughly 7,000 people. Again, it’s a small stadium with a view and is definitely an interesting venue for the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
3. Old Trafford, England
One of the most recognizable stadiums in the world, Old Trafford is home the home of Manchester United. While perhaps not the most modern or unique stadium in the world, it houses a lot of football history and plays home to one of the greatest clubs in Europe.
2. Estadio Azteca, Mexico
Estadio Azteca is arguably the most famous stadium in Mexico. It hosts 87,000 people, making it the biggest stadium in the country, and plays host to Club América, as well as the Mexico National Team. The stadium was the first in the world to host two World Cup finals-- in 1970 and 1986.
1. Pancho Arena, Hungary
This stadium was built to host Puskas Akademia FC, the youth side of Videoton, but has also played host to Videoton since their stadium was closed in 2016. It has a curved, wooden interior that gives the 4,500 seat stadium the feeling of a temple or a church. The first Hungarian league match was played here in 2014, and in 2016 the stadium hosted its first Europa League match.
