Take A Tour of Europe By Visiting Renowned Football Stadiums

As Cristiano Ronaldo rises up to an oncoming delivery from a corner, the crowd rises with him watching on as he heads the ball beyond the extended reaches of the goalkeeper. The 41,000-strong crowd erupts with screams of ‘RO-NAL-DOOO’ as the ball rustles the corner of the net. Take this breathtaking moment in as for the next few minutes with every Ronaldo touch, the crowd will erupt into a louder cheer. Home to the most successful club in Italy, Juventus, this stadium has seen an unbelievable amount of joy over the years. On your quest to visit the grand stadiums of Europe, this magnificent arena has to be on your list. While on your tour of the stadium, enter the dressing rooms where the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Zinedine Zidane, and Gianluigi Buffon once sat. 

The Yellow Wall of Dortmund remain the most fearsome group of supporters in the world. Creating an intimidating home atmosphere, the stadium with a capacity of over 81,000 people is renowned to strike fear into any opponent of BVB Dortmund. If you are going on a match day, you are sure to be awestruck by the frightening intensity of the crowd as the German rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone overwhelms the stadium. Also, visit the BVB Dortmund museum, the Borusseum located nearby providing insights into the history of one of Germany’s top clubs. 

Home to FC Bayern Munich, the Allianz Arena is an architectural marvel. Widely recognised for its exterior of inflated plastic panels, the stadium has been nicknamed ‘Schlauchboot’ or inflated boat. The stadium is also known for its colour-changing exterior, depending on who the home team is. It becomes a deep, poignant red when Munich host an opponent, while a pure white when the German National Team plays here ,and blue when TSV have a game. 

Having hosted the World Cup 1998 final and the Euro 2016 final, the Stade de France is a prominent stadium in the landscape of European football. Often taking responsibility for the largest of sports events, the stadium is set to play a huge part in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. On your visit here, take your notice to the roof of the stadium which is in an elliptical shape symbolising the universality of sports in the country. The stadium not only houses footballing extravaganzas but also the matches of the French rugby team and track and field competitions, too.

Named in the honour of ex-President of Real Madrid Football Club, the Santiago Bernabeu is known for the Madrid faithfuls. A team aiming to climb the highest echelons of club football, Real Madrid’s 81,000-capacity stadium matches their powerful ambitions. A scene of cultural difference, Santiago Bernabeu and the Camp Nou provide for the most heated rivalries between fans during El Clasico matches as Real Madrid take on Barcelona. A symbol of Spanish nationalism and identity, the stadium serves as an indomitable monument to the rest of the nation. One can feel the pressure felt by those donning the jersey of the club by walking along the corridors, which honour the club legends and showcase the (seemingly) uncountable number of trophies the team has won since its inception in 1902.

The home to Real Madrid’s arch-rivals, Barcelona, the Camp Nou is the largest stadium across Europe with a capacity nearing 100,000. Contrary to the Santiago Bernabeu, the Camp Nou is a strong representation of the Catalonian identity. Its slogan, Mes Que Un Club or More Than A Club, exemplifies the earlier notion. Not only is it home to the club, FC Barcelona, but also to every individual who identifies themselves as a proud Catalonian. Take a seat among the devoted fans as every goal is celebrated like a victory and every loss like a bitter defeat.

The Theatre of Dreams remains the spot of utmost fascination for Manchester United fans. Over a 100 years old, the stadium bears the history of the club to its core. A proud torchbearer for Mancunians, Old Trafford maintains a close relationship with the fans. As you walk around the outside of the stadium, you’ll come across statues of great managers of the club like Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby who took United to the pinnacle of English football. You’ll also come across a tribute to what the United fans call the Holy Trinity, a statue marking the accomplishments of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton. 

You’ll Never Walk Alone in its true form takes over the crowd as Liverpool FC welcome their opponents on a European night. The fierce environment that is created by the Anfield fans is enough to send chills down anyone’s spine. The home to the most successful English club in Europe, Anfield is one of the oldest grounds in Europe. Opened in 1884, the stadium is close to the heart of the fans. Holding an annual ceremony for the fallen 96 at the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989, Liverpool is truly the fans’ club and Anfield is their paradise.