Explore the Top 10 Largest Stadiums in Europe
These stadiums host sporting activities such as football matches, rugby, boxing, crickets, etc. In addition, these stadiums host music concerts and other events.
With capacities ranging from tens to close to a hundred thousand, these grand stadiums are designed to host immense crowds and provide a buzzing atmosphere for spectators.
Read: Explore the Top 10 Largest Stadiums in the UK
The Top 10 Largest Stadiums in Europe
Below are the top 10 largest stadiums in Europe.
Camp Nou
- Location: Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Inauguration Date: 1957
- Seating Capacity: 105,000
- Owner/Operator: Barcelona, Barcelona Women
- Sports: Association football
- Notable events: El Clásico matches, 1982 FIFA World Cup venue, 1992 Summer Olympics venue, 1989 & 1999 UEFA Champions League finals venue
With a capacity of over 100,000 spectators, Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe and Spain and the largest association football stadium worldwide. Over the years, it has hosted countless historic matches, from El Clásico battles between Barcelona and their fierce rivals Real Madrid to UEFA Champions League finals.
Wembley Stadium
- Location: London, England, UK
- Inauguration Date: 2007
- Seating Capacity: 90,652
- Owner/Operator: The Football Association & Wembley National Stadium Limited, respectively
- Sports: Association football, Rugby league, American football, Boxing, etc.
- Notable events: Euro 2020 final, FA Cup finals, 2011, 2013 & 2024 Champions League finals
Wembley is the largest stadium and football stadium in the UK. Also, it is the 2nd largest in Europe. Apart from football games, other sports, like NFL games and some of Anthony Joshua’s & Tyson Fury’s boxing matches, occurred in the stadium. Furthermore, music concerts by musicians such as Beyoncé, AC/DC, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, and Adele have been held in the stadium.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
- Location: Chamartín, Madrid, Spain
- Inauguration Date: 1947
- Seating Capacity: 85,000
- Owner/Operator: Real Madrid and also Spain national football team
- Sports: Association football, NFL
- Notable events: 2030 FIFA World Cup Final venue; 1957, 1969, 1980 and 2010 UEFA Champions League finals venue
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in Europe, located in Madrid, Spain. It is the iconic home of Real Madrid CF, one of history’s most successful and storied football clubs. Opened in 1947, the stadium has been the stage for countless legendary moments in football, including UEFA Champions League victories, El Clásico battles against rivals FC Barcelona, and major international tournaments. With a seating capacity 85,000, it is one of the largest and most prestigious stadiums in Europe and globally. Furthermore, music concerts by musicians such as rolling stone, Karol G, and Taylor Swift have been held in the stadium.
Twickenham Stadium
- Location: London, England, UK
- Inauguration Date: 1909
- Capacity: 82,500
- Owner/Operator: Rugby Football Union
- Sports: Rugby union, American football
- Notable events: Rugby World Cup matches (1991 and 2015), Rugby Football League’s Challenge Cup Final (2001 & 2006), and the NFL London Games in 2016 and 2017.
With a seating capacity of 82,500, it is the 2nd largest stadium in the UK and 4th largest stadium in Europe. In addition, the stadium is primarily used for rugby matches, including England’s home games in the Six Nations Championship and other international fixtures. Apart from rugby, Twickenham Stadium was a venue for musicians hosting several concerts. They include Metallica in 2019, Eminem in 2018, and the Rolling Stones in 2018.
Signal Iduna Park Stadium
- Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Inauguration Date: 1974
- Capacity: 81,365
- Owner/Operator: Borussia Dortmund and also Germany national football team
- Sports: Association football
- Notable events: 1974 and 2006 FIFA World Cup venue, UEFA Euro 2024 venue, 2001 UEFA Cup Final venue
Signal Iduna Park, located in Dortmund, Germany, is one of Europe’s largest stadiums. It is the home ground for Borussia Dortmund (BVB), a renowned football club competing in the Bundesliga. With a seating capacity of 81,365 for league matches and 65,00 for international games, it is Germany’s largest stadium and among the most atmospheric venues globally.
Stade de France Stadium
- Location: Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, France
- Inauguration Date: 1974
- Capacity: 81,000
- Owner/Operator: France national football team and France national rugby union team
- Sports: Association Football, Rugby Union team, Athletics
- Notable events: 1998 FIFA World Cup venue, 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup venue, UEFA Euro 2016 venue, 2000, 2006 and 2022 UEFA Champions League finals venue. Also, 2007 Rugby World Cup venue, 2023 Rugby World Cup venue, 2010 Heineken Cup Final venue, 2024 Summer Olympics venue.
The Stade de France, located in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, France, is the nation’s largest stadium and a symbol of French sporting and cultural pride. With a seating capacity of 81,000, it is a versatile arena that hosts football, rugby, athletics, and world-class concerts. Built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, where France famously won their first championship, the stadium is a centerpiece of French sports history. It is the home ground for the French national football and rugby teams, including the FIFA World Cup Final in 1998, multiple UEFA Champions League Finals and Rugby World Cup matches.
Luzhniki Stadium
- Location: Moscow, Russia
- Inauguration Date: 1956
- Capacity: 78,000
- Owner/Operator: FC Torpedo Moscow and also Russia national football team
- Sports: Association Football, Athletics
- Notable events: 1980 Summer Olympics venue, 2018 FIFA World Cup Final venue, and 2008 UEFA Champions League Final venue.
Luzhniki Stadium is one of the most iconic sports venues in the world, located in Moscow, Russia. It has a seating capacity of about 78,000, making it the largest stadium in Russia and one of the largest stadiums in Europe. It has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the 1980 Summer Olympics, the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final, UEFA Champions League matches, and international concerts. Furthermore, music concerts by musicians such as Madonna, U2, Metallica have been held in the stadium.
Atatürk Olympic Stadium
- Location: Istanbul, Turkey
- Inauguration Date: 2002
- Capacity: 77,563
- Owner/Operator: Fatih Karagümrük and also Turkey national football team
- Sports: Association Football
- Notable events: 2005 and 2023 UEFA Champions League finals venue
The Atatürk Olympic Stadium is located in Istanbul, Turkey. It is the largest stadium in Europe and Turkey, with a seating capacity of 77,000 spectators. Opened in 2002, it was named after Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey. The stadium is primarily used for football matches and is the home ground of the Turkish national football team. In addition to hosting local football events, the Atatürk Olympic Stadium has also been the venue for significant international events. It was the site of the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final, where Liverpool staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in football history.
Old Trafford
- Location: Greater Manchester, England.
- Inauguration Date: 1910
- Capacity: 74,310
- Owner/Operator: Manchester United FC
- Sports: Association football, rugby league
- Notable events: Premier League matches, FA Cup Final and UEFA Euro 1996 & 2003 Champions League Final.
Nicknamed the Theatre of Dream, it is the UK’s 3rd largest and largest club football stadium. Also, the stadium has hosted several football matches. They include the FA Cup Final and UEFA Euro 1996. In addition, the stadium hosted the 2003 Champions League Final. Beyond football, the stadium is sometimes used for Rugby league. Therefore, it has been the venue for the Rugby Football League’s annual Super League Grand Final, among others. Furthermore, Old Trafford has been a host venue for the Rugby League World Cup – 1995, 2000, 2013, & 2021.
Principality Stadium
- Location: Cardiff, Wales
- Inauguration Date: 1999
- Capacity: 73,952
- Owner/Operator: Millennium Stadium plc & Wales national rugby union team
- Sports: Rugby union, rugby league, association football, boxing, professional wrestling
- Notable events: International rugby union match (June 1999), 2007 Football League Cup final, and 2017 UEFA Champions League Final.
With a total seating capacity of 73,000, it is the largest stadium in Wales and the 10th largest stadium in Europe. In addition, it is the 3rd largest stadium in the Six Nations Championship behind the Stade de France and Twickenham.