Rio de Janeiro: Maracanã Stadium The Maracanã was once the largest stadium in the world with a capacity of 200,000 spectators. After various conversion work, the arena now has room for around 73,000 visitors. Here the highly favored team Brazil had to cede the World Cup title to their opponent Uruguay in 1950. The great Pelé scored the thousandth goal of his career here on November 19, 1969. Not to forget the legendary “Rock in Rio” concerts, from Queen to AC/DC. In 1980, Pope John Paul II celebrated the largest papal mass on Latin American soil in the Maracanã.
Manchester: Old Trafford The name fits. Old Trafford (named after a district in Manchester) has been around since 1910 and is one of the oldest football stadiums still in use in the world. This is where the highly paid ball artists of the Manchester United team play. It owes its breathtaking and unique atmosphere above all to its complete roofing, under which the fan anthem “Come On You Reds” sounds like thunder.
Mexico City: Estadio Azteca Built in 1966, the Aztec Stadium is the largest football stadium in the world exclusively for football matches. The roof amplifies the background noise of the huge upper tiers, and the football-mad Mexicans regularly turn the stadium into a deafening cauldron. This and the altitude (2200 meters) ensure that many visiting teams run out of air. The so-called “game of the century” of the 1970 World Cup between Germany and Italy, which the DFB team lost in extra time, was played in the Aztec Stadium, and it was the scene of legendary concerts. Michael Jackson filled the oval several times with 100,000 spectators each.
Milan: Giuseppe Meazza Stadium One house, two competing residents: the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in the San Siro district of Milan is shared by the two top teams AC and Inter. It was built in 1926 and today holds 85,000 spectators. Until 1980 it was called San Siro before being renamed Giuseppe Meazza. The player in the 1938 Italian World Cup team played for both Milan teams. With its characteristic architecture, the stadium is one of the most beautiful in Europe.
Madrid: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu Home to world club Real Madrid, the Bernabéu is one of the holiest temples to ball magicians. And a madhouse when the crowds yell “¡Hala Madrid!” tune in It probably wrings awe from every player when he looks up the steep ranks. It was built in the middle of the city in 1947 and last modernized in 2005. The audience capacity had already been reduced in 1982 from 120,000 to 80,000.
Barcelona: Estadio Nou Camp A place of superlatives: With 98,000 seats, the Nou Camp holds more spectators than any other stadium in Europe. It was opened in 1957 and in 1982 an upper tier was added. The stadium complex includes a museum with a history department, an art gallery and a souvenir collection. The stadium chapel is unique: Players and fans alike can ask the Black Madonna for divine assistance before kick-off. The stadium is currently being renovated.
Source: Nachrichten
