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Construction of the stadium began in 1925 in Milan's San Siro district. The new venue was originally named Nuovo Stadio Calcistico San Siro (New San Siro Football Stadium). The project was initiated by Piero Pirelli, then president of AC Milan, who insisted on erecting a football stadium near Milan's Hippodrome del Trotto.

 The stadium, designed on the model of English facilities (typically football, without an athletics track), was completed in 13 months at a construction cost of 5 million Italian lire (equivalent to about €2,500). The stadium consisted of four straight stands and had a capacity of 35,000 spectators. It was officially inaugurated on September 19, 1926 during the Milan derby against Inter. Initially, the stadium was owned and home to AC Milan. In 1947, Inter, previously using Arena Civica in the city centre, became the tenant of the facility, which the two clubs have shared ever since. 

In 1935, the City of Milan purchased the stadium and began its first extension. The work included the addition of four arches connecting the original stands, increasing the venue's capacity to 55,000 seats.

 The next redevelopment took place between 1948 and 1955, with engineers Armando Ronca and Ferruccio Calzolari drawing up a design for the expansion, which involved increasing the stadium's capacity from 55,000 to 150,000 spectators. The plan called for the construction of three additional rings of stands, arranged vertically. Access to the upper levels was to be provided by 19 spiral ramps, each 200 metres long. 

 During construction, however, the construction of the topmost ring was abandoned and the final capacity of the stadium was 100,000 seats. Over time, the seating capacity was reduced to 60,000 spectators and 25,000 standing for safety reasons. In 1957 the installation of night lighting was completed and in 1967 an electronic billboard was installed. 

In 1980, the stadium was officially named Giuseppe Meazza, in honor of the legendary Inter player who died in 1979 and who also played for Milan in the 1941/1942 season. Giuseppe Meazza was a two-time world champion with the Italian national team. The name is now more commonly used by Inter fans, while Rossoneri supporters prefer the traditional term San Siro.

The last major renovation of the San Siro, carried out between 1987 and 1990 on the occasion of the 1990 FIFA World Cup, cost $60 million. The upgrade was to increase the stadium's capacity to 85,000 spectators and to build a canopy. The Municipality of Milan commissioned architects Giancarlo Ragazzi and Enrico Hoffer and engineer Leo Finzi for the project.

 In order to achieve the objectives, a third ring of stands (located on the Curva Nord, Curva Sud and the western stand) was built, supported by eleven support towers, equipped with spiral ramps to facilitate audience access. Four of these towers, located at the corners of the stadium, support a distinctive roof with projecting red girders. The expanded stadium was officially inaugurated on April 25, 1990, just a few weeks before the start of the tournament. 

A further upgrade of the venue was carried out between 2011 and 2015. The aim was to bring the spectators closer to the pitch and to integrate the reserve benches with the stands. The structure of the pitch was also changed, introducing a mix of natural and artificial grass. In addition, four new skyboxes were built, toilets were upgraded and a new stadium museum was created. The total investment amounted to €8.7 million.

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/ita/stadio_san_siro

 Estadio Azteca is the largest and most important stadium in Mexico, de facto serving as the national stadium, although it is in private hands. The stadium was inaugurated in 1966 and has not changed significantly since its creation. During its construction, mammoth remains were encountered, and after its opening it was able to survive earthquakes and had a hand in popularizing the so-called “Mexican wave”.

 The facility used to be able to accommodate more than 100,000 spectators, but after changes in 2016 the capacity was reduced to about 83,000, which still allows it to be counted among the largest football stadiums in the world. Thanks to its high capacity, attendance records for various sports competitions have often been broken at Estadio Azteca. 

 Although a number of clubs have played host at Estadio Azteca, the only permanent host from the very beginning until today is Club América. In addition, the Mexican national team also plays here regularly. The facility has had the opportunity to host an extraordinary number of major international events, which has given it global recognition and makes it one of the most famous stadiums in the world. 

 Its greatest fame came with the two World Cups held in Mexico in 1970 and 1986, with the Estadio Azteca hosting, among others, the opening matches and finals. The World Cup was won here by Pelé and Maradona, two football players considered among the greatest of their time. In particular, Diego Maradona's exploits at the packed Estadio Azteca and his “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” have gone down in the annals of football history. 

The Estadio Azteca also hosted the 2026 World Cup opening match as well as other group stage and knockout stage matches for the third time. However, the final match was held in a different venue this time. 

 In 2025, one of Mexico's largest banks, Banorte, became the stadium's title sponsor, and the facility was given the commercial name Estadio Banorte. 

An architectural competition was held to build the stadium. Three bids were submitted, by architects Pedro Ramírez Vázquez (together with Rafael Mijares Alcérreca), Félix Candela and Enrique de la Mora.

 Enrique de la Mora's design was the earliest bid to be rejected, and the winning concept was that of Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, whose main advantage over Félix Candela's vision was the lack of supports to hold up the roof from the inside. The jury's decision was announced on July 3, 1961. 

 In the original version of the design, the stadium was to be more rectangular, with stands stretching parallel along the end lines of the pitch and rounded only at the corners. Later, however, a decision was made for it be a more oval and contoured variant with the intention to provide the best possible view from every seat in the stadium. 

The name of the planned stadium was decided through a nationwide competition organized by the Mexican postal service. Suggestions were sent by letter, and the name which gained the most vote was to become the name of the stadium.

Thus, the name Estadio Azteca was adopted, referring to Mexico's Aztec heritage. The first person who sent in a proposal with this name received the right to use two seats in the stadium free of charge for 99 years.

 The stadium is also colloquially known as Coloso de Santa Úrsula (Colossus of Santa Úrsula), in reference to its monumental size and the name of the neighborhood in which it is located. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/mex/estadio_azteca

 Though in terms of design it was based on the older Yale Bowl, this stadium in Pasadena, California today is far more recognized than the original one, whether you consider the US or in fact the world. The stadium’s name derives from the Rose Bowl game, held here every year since January 1, 1923. Nicknamed “The Granddaddy of them all”, this place is where all “bowl games” took the name from. 

 The stadium lies in beautiful Arroyo Seco area just north of Los Angeles. It was initially built with a horseshoe shape back in 1922, but the open end got enclosed by 1928. To this day the bowl built then exists almost unchanged, only undergoing minor additions or reconfigurations. 

 With its immense size, the bowl was able to accommodate a stunning number of 104,091 people at peak (1972-1997), temporarily becoming the largest stadium throughout the country. With the addition of seating, especially in the west and east zone (with backrests) its size decreased to some 92,200 today. 

  Between 2010-2015 the largest upgrade so far was carried out. Planned for $152 million, it eventually cost over $170 million and lasted much longer than anticipated. As a result of the works, a large expansion of the west stand’s press and hospitality pavilion was carried out, improving the club’s commercial potential. The project’s price was over 600 times the original construction cost! 

The Rose Bowl became legendary for being Los Angeles’ largest stadium and for being the home of UCLA Bruins since 1982. But putting all of that American "football" heritage aside, the stadium has a far greater global football heritage than many European venues.

 First, it hosted the 1984 Olympics soccer finals. Second, this was where the 1994 World Cup final took place. Thirdly, it also played host to the 1999 Women’s World Cup final. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/usa/rose_bowl

 The Olympiastadion Munchen (Munich) was constructed as a flagship destination for the 1972 Olympic Games. However, it gained prominence when it was shared by rivals Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munich for a lengthy period.

The duo ended up sharing the ground for more than thirty years. During this period, the stadium also witnessed a large number of major events hosted by different organizations.

The ground started out with an initial capacity of 80,000, and it was crucial to its ability to host World Cup finals and more. This stadium capacity was later brought down to just under 70,000 by considering the various safety parameters.

 In 1979, the European Cup final was held at the stadium and it was selected as host twice more in the 1990s.  In fact, the ground has hosted the European Championships, 1974 FIFA World Cup finals, and multiple instances of the European Cup finals. The Olympiastadion München has had the privilege of hosting three European Cup finals – in 1979, 1993, and 1997. 

In 2005, both Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich left the Olympiastadion, which has largely been empty since then from a football point of view.

However, in 2020, Turkgucu Munich, a lesser-known football club in Munich, announced that they were going to play a couple of home matches per season at the stadium. This arrangement then stopped two years later.

The stadium has been untouched for several years now, and it was only used as a fan park during Euro 2024. However, looming renovation work suggests that it could soon become a major stadium in Germany once again.

Source Information:

https://footballgroundguide.com/leagues/europe-1/germany/olympiastadion-munich.html#:~:text=Olympiastadion%20Munich%20history&text=Immediately%20after%20the%20Olympics%2C%20the,twice%20more%20in%20the%201990s.

 The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is like few other sports venues a tangible testimony to the turbulent history of the 20th century. The stadium was built as the main venue for the 1936 Olympic Games, a competition that was steeped in ideology and is associated not only as a great sporting event, but also as a demonstration of the power of Nazi Germany, a prelude to later dramatic events. 

 The building is a typical example and one of the best preserved works of neo-classical Nazi architecture. The natural stone finishings, colonnades and artistic details, as well as the carefully planned axial configuration of the entire complex, were a reference to ancient Greek architecture. 

 The "Reichssportfeld" complex was realized with a grandeur characteristic of the megalomaniac projects of the Third Reich. Unlike the "Plan Germania" or the huge Nazi party rally grounds in Nuremberg, the vision of the "Reichssportfeld" was fully implemented. 

 The stadium has the status of a historic landmark, and its historic form is meticulously maintained, as exemplified by the recent modernization of 2000-2004. Although devoid of swastikas and other forbidden symbols, by its National Socialist origins the facility still arouses emotions and controversy. 

 The stadium was enriched with new elements, such as an elegant membrane roof, video screens, dynamic lighting and a contrasting blue running track, making it a stadium for the 21st century. With a capacity of nearly 75,000 spectators, it is also the largest stadium in Germany if only the number of seats is taken into account. 

The new stadium, like the entire complex, was designed by Werner March. The design was inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece. The Reichssportfeld was the first large-scale construction project undertaken by the NSDAP.

 Werner March came from Charlottenburg, the Berlin district where the Olympic Stadium is located, and was the son of architect Otto March, who drew up the plans for its predecessor, the Deutsches Stadion. Werner was assisted in the design work by his brother, Walter. Before the new stadium was ordered, Werner March was also involved in planning the expansion of Deutsches Stadion. 

Construction work began in 1934. The scope of the work was huge and the schedule was tight, so companies were under time pressure from the very beginning, which was exacerbated by pressure from the authorities to complete the work on time. At its peak, 2,600 workers were on the site.

 The investment costs amounted to 42 million Reichsmarks. Funds came from the state budget, including funds earmarked for activating the unemployed, as well as from donations. 

Construction was completed on time, and the inauguration of the giant stadium was the opening ceremony of the Games, which took place on August 1, 1936. At the time of opening, the new stadium could hold up to 100,000 spectators and was unrivaled in Germany, also ranking among the largest in the world.

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/ger/olympiastadion_berlin

 La Bombonera was inaugurated on May 25, 1940, and the facility stood on the site of the previous wooden stadium, which existed from 1924 to 1938. Since its inception, the stadium has served as the home ground of the Boca Juniors, one of Argentina's most recognizable and successful football clubs. 

 Due to the tight plot of land, the stadium has an unusual shape, with tall, three- tiered stands on three sides and a narrow building with storied boxes on the east. The facility ranks among the most famous stadiums in South America and is known for its heated atmosphere at Boca Juniors matches, especially during the popular derby with River Plate. 

 The stadium is popularly known as La Bombonera (the chocolate box). The nickname originated while the venue was still being designed. An anecdote is widely known about how the stadium's architect, Viktor Sulčič, received a box of chocolates from a friend as a birthday present. 

 Sulčič used to take this box of chocolates to meetings with the design team, and since the shape of the box of chocolates closely resembled the stadium they were designing, the architects began calling it La Bombonera. The name caught on, and club officials were already using it at the opening ceremony. 

 The facility did not receive its first official name until April 20, 1986, when it was named in honor of Camilo Cichero (Estadio Dr. Camilo Cichero), the club's president at the time the facility was built. 

 On December 27, 2000, the stadium's patron was changed to Alberto José Armando (Estadio Alberto José Armando), the long-time president of Boca Juniors (between 1954–1955 and 1960–1980). To this day, however, the name La Bombonera remains in common use. 

 In addition, the second-floor stand behind the north goal is named Tribuna Natalio Pescia, in honor of the distinguished Boca Juniors midfielder of the 1940s and 1950s. The name was given in 1990, a year after the footballer's death. 

La Bombonera was built between 1938 and 1940 to replace the previous Boca Juniors stadium. In 1941 and 1951–1953, the stadium's stands were expanded to three levels. A brand new building with boxes to the east was also built in 1996.

The stadium is located in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, about 2 km southeast of the Plaza Constitución train station and about 5 km south of the Retiro station, in the La Boca neighborhood, at the junction of Brandsen and Del Valle Iberlucea streets. Just behind the stadium's west stand run the railroad tracks.

 A piece north of the stadium is the complex of Boca Juniors' sports facilities, the so-called Complejo Pedro Pompilio, with training fields and sports hall (known as Estadio Luis Conde or La Bombonerita), used mainly for basketball and volleyball. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/arg/la_bombonera

 Initially called Stadio del Sole (Stadium of the Sun), the venue later adapted another name, celebrating Saint Paul. After incredible performances of Maradona in local side Napoli and during World Cup 1990 it was proposed to rename it to Stadio Diego Maradona, but law prohibited giving patronage to people unless they were… dead for a decade or more. 

 Back in the early years it was to be a single-tiered stadium, but architects changed their concept after negotiations, incorporating a smaller lower tier, below ground-level. Construction lasted a whole 11 years. Quite a lot, but then again, with a capacity of nearly 90,000 (standing) it was among the best stadiums in Italy for decades since opening in 1959. 

 Both its scale and importance to Naples made it one of Euro 1980 and 1990 World Cup venues, not discounting numerous prestigious games by the Italian national team and the European fixtures involving Napoli. Since 1970 it’s also been used as a concert venue with the likes of U2 and the Rolling Stones performing among a long list of domestic musicians. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/ita/stadio_san_paolo

 After announcement that Brazil will host 1950 World Cup, state authorities of Rio de Janeiro decided to fund a new central stadium for the whole regional. In 1947 tenders were launched and design be seven local architects was chosen, meaning Rio would go for a nearly circular stadium. As for the location, a site of a horse racing ground in the Maracanã district was selected, not without opposition that surrounded plans for the stadium from the beginning. 

 Construction works started in August 1942, but quickly started to fall behind schedule despite FIFA sending a European expert to help conduct the project. In June 1950, on opening day, the ground was far from ready, lacking basic infrastructure like toilets and with scaffolding in spectator areas. Despite the circumstances the first few games had drawn massive crowds, rarely falling below 100,000 people. The largest attendance was the World Cup final in which Brazil faced Uruguay in front of 199,854 people. Some say the number was even greater, there was also a rumor that when Brazil lost, people jumped from the high scaffolds, committing suicide. Crowds far over the 150,000 attended the stadium throughout the following decade during Brazil's internationals matches or during Rio de Janeiro's Flamengo – Fluminense derbies.

  Ironically, the ground was only finished in 1965, meaning the construction process took 17 years. This is among one of the longest construction timelines in sports architecture history. A year after works were done Mário Rodrigues Filho passed away. This journalist was among the most vibrant supporters of the stadium back in 1940's and is seen as the one without whom the Maracanã might not have been built. For that reason soon after his death it was announced the stadium will take his name, though to date it is most commonly referred to as just the Maracanã. 

 Over the past couple of decades an astonishing list of large events have took place there, starting with the most important football games, both domestic and international. When being selected to host 2014 World Cup final it became one of only two stadiums worldwide to host this prestigious final match twice. Then came the announcement that the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics would also take place there. This made the Maracanã the only stadium for such ceremonies without an athletics track. Apart from these tournaments the stadium has hosted national finals, massive volleyball games, Pan-American ceremonies, papal visits and some of the World's largest concerts involving music stars such as Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, Rolling Stones, The Police and many more. These concert audiences have seen no less than 200,000 people in attendance.

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/bra/maracana

 Råsunda Fotbollstadion got built in 1937 after the old ground that had stood at the same site since 1910 had become too small. 

 Rasunda opened on 18 April 1937 with a match between AIK and Malmö FF. AIK had previously played at the Stockholms Stadion, but then moved to the new national stadium. 

 The capacity was increased for the 1958 World Cup by expanding the stands at both ends. The stadium could hold just over 50,000 spectators at that time. 

 During the World Cup, Rasunda hosted five group matches, a quarter-final, the semi-final between Brazil and France (5-2), and the final between Brazil and Sweden (5-2). 

 Few changes were made in the following decades until in the mid 1980s the old main stand got demolished and replaced by a new one. 

 Rasunda was once again a playing venue at the Euro 1992 Championships, though the final was hosted by Nya Ullevi. The stadium did host three group matches and the semi-final between Germany and Sweden (3-2). 

 In the mid 1990s, new covered stands got built at both ends, however Rasunda still lacked many of the modern facilities found in the new stadiums that were getting built elsewhere. The Swedish FA, owner of the stadium, therefore decided to build a new stadium, the Friends Arena, which opened in October 2012. The Friends Arena also became the new home of AIK. 

 Sadly, demolition of Rasunda commenced in early 2013. The stadium got replaced with apartment buildings. 

Source Information:

https://www.stadiumguide.com/rasunda/#:~:text=Rasunda%20opened%20on%2018%20April,50%2C000%20spectators%20at%20that%20time.

 Although today Anfield is unequivocally associated with Liverpool FC, the stadium's first host was The Reds' derby rival, Everton FC, which even won one English championship (1891) during the period the team played there. 

 However, after eight years, in 1892, Everton moved out to the other side of Stanley Park, where they built their new facility, Goodison Park. The owner of Anfield, who was left with an empty stadium, then created his own club: Liverpool FC. 

 Liverpool FC, over the years, has carved out a position for itself as one of the leading football clubs in the country. Today it is not only one of the most recognizable teams in England, but also around the world. 

 Liverpool's derby with Everton (Merseyside derby) is also popular. The rivalry between the two neighbors is one of the oldest and most famous in England, although it is not characterized by any particular antagonism. 

 Since 1884, Anfield has gone from a modest pitch to one of the largest stadiums in the country. The first major expansion took place as early as 1906–1907, when, among other things, the famous The Kop stand was built behind one of the goals. 

 It was a stand different from the others, created on a huge rampart mounded up from the ground. It had standing room only, and tickets were among the cheapest, but the fans who came to it were famous for creating a unique atmosphere. 

 After the Hillsborough tragedy and the Taylor Report, The Kop had to be adapted to new standards. The earthen rampart was demolished and replaced with a modern, reinforced concrete stand. Although the tradition of The Kop continues, it is no longer the same as it once was. 

 Today, after expansions carried out between 2014 and 2024, much larger than The Kop is the stand located behind the other goal, as well as two stands along the pitch, including a huge main stand. The capacity of the stadium now is more than 61,000 spectators, almost equal to the attendance record of the old days (before the installation of plastic seats). 

 Interestingly, the famous and quite modern Anfield has... an undersized pitch. This was one of the reasons why the stadium was left out of the selection of venues for the 2028 European Championships. Anfield was also left out of the 1966 World Cup played in England, although four Euro 1996 matches were held there. 

 Anfield is also known for Liverpool FC's anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone, which is sang by fans before every game, as well as many other symbols, including memorials dedicated to two major tragedies involving Liverpool fans, at Heysel (1985) and Hillsborough (1989). 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/anfield_road

 Tottenham had played host at the site beside High Road since 1899, when the first iteration of White Hart Lane opened. The stadium, designed in part by the famous Archibald Leitch, saw crowds of over 70,000 at its peak. But the 1990s brought reforms that forced capacity to fall drastically, quite understandable for a stadium sitting on just 2.4 hectares. 

 At the same time Tottenham was looking north in order to secure land adjacent to the stadium and build something bigger. The plan was first announced in 2007, by 2009 planning application for a new 56,000-seat stadium was filed, designed by KSS Group. The stadium would be part of the Northumberland Redevelopment Project, a major revitalization scheme for the district. The stadium would mostly be built north of White Hart Lane, allowing transition during construction, while it would be completed after WHL is demolished. However, Tottenham didn't even commit to the scheme entirely until their other option of moving to London Stadium failed. 

But that wasn't the only factor impeding progress. The club faced an uphill struggle with final landowners north of WHL, which only ended in March of 2015, seeing the last company forcibly selling land. That long wait was used to amend plans significantly, with the club appointing Populous as new designers. New brief included capacity of 60,000 and a venue capable of also hosting NFL football.

 As it turned out, this resulted in a playing field unlike anything we've seen. Not only does it retract, it retracts in three pieces and has a second playing field (synthetic, for NFL and concerts) hidden 1.6m below. The field moves in three massive trays, each weighing over 3,000 tons. Because of scarce space, the field doesn't leave the stadium entirely, it hides under the south stand and its front plaza. That's why it had to be divided into long strips: to enable erection of support columns for the stand. 

 The hybrid main field rests in its garage only as long as necessary, returning back within as little as 25 minutes from initiation. Once it travels all the distance, two side segments attach to the central one, creating a seamless field. Eventually this system should support full season of both Premier League and NFL, should London land a franchise. One more stunning feature is the grow light system which relies on six 70-meter trusses hovering above the field without touching it at all. 

 The stadium's outer form stands out from the district's skyline, reaching 48 meters. Eventually the effect should be diminished with high-rise planned beside the ground. Although the 250-meter long venue will still be clearly visible. While not ideally symmetrical, the oval stadium has its axis of symmetry running from the north to the south, only with minor irregularities in facade cladding. 

 There are three dominant materials used in the stadium's outer shell, both the facades and roof. First it's metal (4,801 perforated steel-aluminium panels cover the facade, 27,654m2 in total), glass (genereous glazing ensuring sunlight access to vast atria and single 7,000m2 span in the south) and concrete (largely prefab architectural concrete at the basis of the ground). The perforated panels, some of which are tilted from the facade, create a dynamic shape, covering much of the regular glazing. By day the stadium is metallic, neutral. By night it comes alive with dynamic lighting. 

 From the very beginning the seating bowl was announced as very compact, robust. It was even considered a go at Arsenal, whose stadium was criticized for distance between fans and the field. At Tottenham the closes seat is 4.99m away from the field (south stand, grows to 7.97m on other sides). At the steepest point the stands reach 35 degrees, as much as permitted. The vast south stand received the title of England's second largest single tiered end with 17,500 seats, just behind West Ham's east side. 

 The seating layout decisively turns all eyes on the south, however it's actually the north stand that is the tallest, reaching 35.5m. However, with other sides being between 33-34m, visually the auditorium seems to reach the same height. Both stands along the sides are divided into four tiers, of which two middle ones are premium seating only, while the bottom tier is partly dedicated to most affluent visitors. In total the stadium offers over 8,000 premium seats and 70 private boxes of different standards. 

 Even though the stands may seem symmetrical, each has a different structure underneath. In all cases its primarily based on steel (16,700 tons of structure steel was used) but main columns vary, mainly being Y-shaped. By far the most spectacular columns are the two 'trees' under the south end. Each of the two trees (standing exactly between segments of the resting field) weighs 275 tons and and becomes a major aesthetic element, not just a piece of engineering. But even smaller columns, invisible to fans, can weigh as much as 200 tons each. 

 Along with progress of construction, the amount of steel used was increasing due to replacement of reinforced concrete by steel prefabs in order to speed up the process. But there was one area in which some steel was actually saved. The roof structure was initially planned as regular truss structure, later replaced by tensile cable structure, which reduced the weight by 600 tons. Similar to that of Volgograd, the new structure consists of 54 upper and 54 lower radial cables measuring approximately 42m and 38m long respectively. Two inner rings of the roof are connected by 'flying columns' that also support floodlighting for the field. 

 Instead of traditional membrane, the roof is made up of 287 glass roof sections and 810 roof cassettes consisting of metal and acoustic panels facing the bowl, and a metallic finish polymer membrane facing the sky. The roof has some 30,000 m2 (part of it is bonded glass selected over polycarbonate) and was designed partly with a boost of atmosphere in mind. In the north a row of boxes was installed under the roof, while in the south the roof is topped with a 4.5-meter cockerel sculpture and equipped with a skywalk, letting tourists to look inside the ground from above. 

 The stadium ended up holding over 62,000 already in its first year, which is almost twice the size of White Hart Lane (36,000). In terms of footprint the stadium also is roughly twice the size of its predecessor (43,000 compared to 24,000 m2). But in terms of floor space it's four times the size, reaching 120,000 m2, spread across 9 levels. It's no wonder that over 60 catering points were fitted inside, including the longest bar in Europe (65m) or another bar with its own microbrewery.

 Construction of a stadium that large had to take long, as if the prolonged waiting wasn't enough to test Spurs fans' patience. Enabling works on the northern part were launched back in 2014, sped up in 2015 as the compulsory purchase order for last landowners came. Inauguration was then expected in early fall of 2018, some 3 years of first major works. That deadline was missed a few times, however, seeing opening only in April of 2019. It also didn't go perfectly in terms of budget. Initially expected to cost some £400, the stadium saw final price tag possibly double (reaching some £1 billion with secondary facilities), however Spurs never revealed the detailed price tag for the stadium alone.  

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/tottenham_hotspur_stadium

 St. James Park is the oldest existing stadium in North-Eastern England and at the same time one of the most characteristic football grounds in the world. Since 1880 it's been home to football, but only since 1892 also to Newcastle United, who then played in red-white outfits, contrary to current black-white colors. Already in 1905 it had the capacity of 60,000 people, mostly thanks to the stands having standing room. In the next 90 years it has changed several times, achieving an all-seating capacity of 36,610 in 1993. 

 Its current, unique shape is the effect of local conditions. The club was seeking permission to build a brand new ground nearby, but that proposition was widely protested by residents. Having no better alternative, "The Magpies” decided to redevelop current stands, building an extra tier over two of them and one corner. This made one part of the stadium significantly larger than the rest. Thanks to this asymmetrical expansion it now boasts Europe's largest centilever roof over the higher part of the stands. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/st_james_park

 The origins of the Stade de France date back to a key political decision taken in the late 1980s, seventy years after the construction of Stade Yves-du-Manoir. At the time, the French government pledged to provide France with a modern national stadium that would meet modern technical and commercial requirements. Discussions about building a new national venue began during the bidding process for the 1998 World Cup. During these preparations, it was noted that the lack of a suitable stadium infrastructure could be a weak point in the French bid for the Summer Olympics. 

 It was understood that without a stadium of this scale, France would risk being marginalized in the international sporting and cultural arena. The country would not be able to meet the increasingly demanding technical standards, the complex expectations of entertainment event producers or the growing commercial demands. Following the announcement of the decision to award France the hosting of the World Cup, on July 2, 1992, it was guaranteed that the new stadium would be fully covered and break the tradition of not building new facilities specifically for one-off sporting events. 

 Design work began in 1994 and was based on modern technology. The stadium design was tested in a wind tunnel to ensure that the structure could withstand winds in excess of 145 km/h. The use of crowd simulation software made it possible to design a facility that could be evacuated in less than 10 minutes. The stadium was designed to be modular, with wide movement zones, which allowed for easy adaptation to different types of events and efficient assembly and disassembly. It was the first stadium designed after the 1985 Stade du Heysel tragedy, which influenced the inclusion of the highest safety standards. The construction of the facility was also intended to revitalize the Plaine Saint-Denis area, which includes the municipalities of Saint-Denis, Aubervilliers and Saint-Ouen. It was planned that the development would attract new residential and commercial investment, supporting the development of this neglected area.

  Due to the importance of the project, the Council of State oversaw the construction and financing of the stadium. It was agreed that the facility would be built in close proximity to the Paris metropolitan area, and that the investors and operators of the stadium would receive financial support for 30 months after completion. The architectural design was developed by renowned architects Michel Macary, Aymeric Zublena, Michel Regembal and Claude Constantini, associated with CR SCAU Architecture. 

 All building permits were obtained on April 30, 1995, and the first works started just two days later. The ceremonial laying of the foundation stone took place on September 6 of the same year. Construction of the roof cost €45 million and the mobile platform took more than a year to complete. The total cost of building the stadium was €364 million. 

How did the name Stade de France come about?

During the design phase, the stadium was referred to in French as the Grand Stade (Big Stadium). On December 4, 1995, the Ministry of Sport announced a competition for the official name of the venue. In the end, the stadium was named Stade de France (Stadium of France) on the recommendation of Michel Platini, who proposed the name.

When was Stade de France inaugurated?

The Stade de France was inaugurated on January 28, 1998 during a friendly football match between France and Spain. The meeting, which took place in front of 78 368 spectators including President Jacques Chirac, ended in a 1:0 victory for France. The first match of the national rugby team was played at the stadium just five days later, on 2 February, France defeating England 24:17 in front of 77 567 fans.

What does Stade de France look like?

The stadium's roof cost more than €45 million to build. Its elliptical shape symbolizes the universality of sport in France. Covering six hectares and weighing 13,000 tonnes, the roof is considered a masterpiece of engineering. It was designed to protect 80,000 spectators without obstructing the view of the pitch. All lighting and sound systems, including 550 floodlights and 36 blocks with five speakers each, are housed inside the structure so as not to restrict visibility. Tinted glass in the roof reduces contrast and distributes natural light, filtering out red and infrared radiation but letting in blue and green light, essential for the health of the pitch.

 The stadium's stands will accommodate 80,000 spectators in football and rugby configurations, 78,000 in athletics configurations, and up to 100,000 for concerts with a central stage. 25,000 seats are movable, allowing for flexible adaptation of the stadium layout. The Stade de France is the largest modular stadium in the world. The grandstands are divided into three levels, with the lower level holding 25,000 seats and being partially retractable. To reveal the running track and athletics jumps, the rear sections are lowered by 7.1 metres and the inner sections retract by 15 metres, using ten elements weighing 700 tonnes each. The transition to this configuration involves 40 people and takes 80 hours. 

 Access to the middle level is provided by 22 bridges, located on level 3, where restaurants, entertainment areas, shops and a central security point are located. The upper level, on level 6, is accessible via 18 staircases. Evacuation procedures at the Stade de France begin around 15 minutes before the venue closes, with full evacuation times depending on the number of participants and conditions. 

 The stadium's pitch is 11 metres below ground level and covers an area of 9,000 square metres (120 metres long and 75 metres wide). The first pitch was sown in 1997 using almost a billion seeds. Today, the grass is delivered in 1.2m x 8m rolls, and changing the turf requires three days of preparation and five days of installation. Changes are made several times a year as required. Unlike many stadiums, the Stade de France does not have a turf heating system, due to the fact that the venue was built on the site of a former gas plant where there was a risk of explosion. 

 As part of the infrastructure upgrade, the stadium was fitted with two new giant screens in September 2006. Their surface area is 58% larger than the previous screens installed in 1998. The new screens consist of almost 4.5 million LEDs, providing faster response times and higher brightness. 

 In 2002, the International Association of Bridges and Structures (IABSE) gave the stadium an award for its exceptional structure, highlighting the "attractiveness of the open architecture, elegance and natural lightness" of the facility. On 26 November 2021, the Stade de France was awarded "Outstanding Contemporary Architecture" status. This distinction highlights its importance as a key element of the relationship between Paris and its suburbs, contributing to the revitalization of the Greater Paris area. 

What happened at Stade de France in 2015?

On November 13, 2015, in one of a series of coordinated shootings and bombings in Paris, the Stade de France was the target of a terrorist attack. Two small explosions took place outside the stadium during a friendly match between France and Germany, attended by the then French President François Hollande. However, the terrorists did not manage to enter the stands of the stadium. An explosion could be heard inside the stadium and many thought it was a firework explosion inside the stadium. The attacker wanted to infiltrate the stadium but was panicked when he saw security. The authorities, aware of what had happened outside the stadium, decided to continue with the match for fear that its cancellation would cause panic. Since then, the stadium has improved its counter-attack training and strengthened its security and French police have issued new guidelines, which have been met with mixed reactions.

How is Stade de France perceived by the French?

Stade de France is an undisputed symbol of sporting France and a favorite venue for sporting events, as evidenced by the data. As many as 93% of French people are familiar with the stadium and 88% of visitors consider it part of the national heritage. Moreover, 80% of visitors feel a strong connection to its name. This information comes from a survey conducted in 2023 by Opinion Way.

What sporting events has Stade de France hosted?

Six months after the inauguration of Stade de France, the French national football team returned to the stadium and defeated Brazil in the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, winning their first world title. The stadium hosted the group matches, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of this tournament. In 2003, the Confederations Cup matches were also played here.

 Stade de France has also hosted three UEFA Champions League finals - in 2001, 2006 and 2023. In each of these, a team from Spain triumphed: twice Real Madrid and once FC Barcelona. 

 The stadium is also the home of both the French national football team and the rugby team, hosting key matches for Les Bleus. The venue has hosted two Rugby World Cup tournaments - in 2007 and 2023 - becoming the only stadium in the world to have hosted both the Football and Rugby World Cup finals. 

 During UEFA Euro 2016, Stade de France was one of the main stadiums of the tournament, hosting the opening match (France's 2:1 victory over Romania), the final (Portugal's 1:0 win over France after extra time) and three other matches, including the quarter-finals. 

 During the 2024 Paris Olympics, Stade de France became the central arena for athletics. It also hosted the 7-a-side rugby competition and the closing ceremony of the Games. 

 On April 11, 2015, the noise generated by 80,000 fans at Stade de France during the Coupe de la Ligue final reached 109 decibels, setting a world record for the loudest stadium recorded during a football match. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/fra/stade_de_france

 The first stadium built in this location was opened back in nineteenth century and had numerous uses, housing final stages of Tour de France for decades since 1902. There were also athletics events, but more importantly, this is where both the football and rugby national teams started their official games, in 1905 and 1906, respectively. 

 The second stadium which was also a velodrome, was built in 1932. But the current venue’s history began in 1960s, when decision to leave the ground only for football and rugby was made. Visionary architect Roger Taillibert got the task to deliver a unique stadium for both disciplines (thus the field longer than regular football one) and made France proud. 

 Parc des Princes reopened in 1972 to become one of the world’s most unique venues, far exceeding its time. Visually the form of concrete ‘shell’ was unseen at that time and is currently protected by law to be retained for its value. 

 Underneath the shell are double-tiered stands that remained almost unchanged until 2012, when preparatory works for Euro 2016 overhaul it. For the event the stadium got a new corporate zone and one for the media. Afterwards stands may be transformed further to increase capacity inside the existing stadium. 

 What is unlikely to change is the traditional division created by fans of PSG, the most vibrant of whom occupy both end stands – Kop de Boulogne to the south and Virage Auteuil to the north. 

 It seem impossible to count all the great events that took place here, starting with PSG’s first game in 1973, back then they were  a 2nd league club. Since then the football side has become the only permanent tenant with  the rugby team Stade Francais playing only some fixtures here. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/fra/parc_des_princes

 In 1979 the then prince of Monaco Rainier III decided to use land reclaimed from the sea in Fontvieille docks to create the country’s central sports complex. He reached out to some of the best architects in Paris, who designed this unique stadium, named after Louis II.

 Construction was launched in 1981 and ended in late 1984, resulting in one of the buildings topping local tourist attraction lists. 120,000 sqm of concrete, 9,000 tons of steel and 2,000 of structural steel were used during the project.

   It's worth noting, the building is much more than the football/athletic venue it’s most known to be. Besides these two uses there’s also an indoor hall for 2,500 people, Olympic-sized pool, 3 smaller pools and 15 smaller sports facilities – all for the use of local professional and amateur athletes year round. 

 The complex is enclosed with a unique outer form that hardly indicates its sporting use from pedestrians’ perspective. And there’s also more than sports to it – two museums, shopping centre, AS Monaco administration, public offices and the International University of Monaco. 

 The stadium itself offers 18,523 seats, mostly covered and spread across four zones/categories: Tribune d’Honneur (north), Premieres sections (south), Secondes (corners) and Populaires/Visiteurs (both curves). 

 A 400-meter athletic track and the heated pitch are elevated on a concrete platform 13 meters above sea level. Under the platform there’s underground parking with 4 levels and 1,320 bays in total. This combined with large roof is considered to affect grass quality, which needs artificial lighting. 

 Stade Louis II plays an important role in international sports. In 1986 it saw its first European Cup game and from 1998 to 2012 it’s been the longest-serving venue for UEFA Supercup games. Apart from football also important athletic tournaments are held here, as well as concerts and other events. 

 In 2008 the stadium received two LED screens covering 60 and 30 sqm, respectively. The AS Monaco home ground also has a floodlighting system that was redone in 2002. Further renovations had to be carried out in 2004, when a nearby building explosion damaged the façade, but fortunately not the entire structure. 

 Interestingly, Stade Louis II is possibly the single largest stadium compared to the country’s population, allowing 66% of the nation inside. But while Monaco doesn’t have a football federation of its own, the ground operates within the French system. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/fra/stade_louis_ii

 Already in the 1960’s there were plans to build a new ground in Dortmund. The municipality couldn’t afford that, though, and regional authorities weren’t willing to subside. Then the unexpected happened when Cologne lost their spot in the 1974 World Cup host-city list and Dortmund jumped in. Along with hosting the tournament, money for a new ground came. It was not as much as was planned for Cologne – instead of a big multi-use stadium worth 60 million Deutsche Mark, four simple stands were raised from prefabs along the pitch for half the price. The capacity stood at 54,000 and remained that way until 1990’s. Then regulations requiring more seating were introduced and it forced a decrease in capacity to 42,800. 

 But this period was Borussia Dortmund’s great run of successes both domestically and in European football. So the club, being the first one in German history, decided to finance expansion works which would bring the venue to its former number of spectators. 54,000 people could again watch BVB games thanks to the creation of a second tier over two stands alongside the pitch in 1995. Two years later the numbers went up once more, now thanks to the addition of a  second tier to the north end and an extension to the southern stand with the addition of a standing room. Since then it has been the largest standing terrace in Europe with a total of 24,454 people accommodated behind one goal only. Now renowned for its great atmosphere, Sudtribune is still the largest of its kind. 

 Last redevelopment so far came before Westfalenstadion’s 2nd World Cup appearance in 2006. In order to fulfill FIFA’s requirements, corners which had been empty from 1974 were filled with seating. Building new sections was not a problem, but the roofing of all other stands was required. Large supports of the roof were placed in the corners and had to be removed not to block the sightlines of fans in the new corners. 8 massive pylons were then raised on the outside of the roofing, bearing the weight and allowing for inner supports to be removed. As a result of its great sightlines, steep stands and unique atmosphere this stadium is often named among the best football grounds in the world. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/ger/westfalenstadion

 It is the second largest stadium in Lisbon and the third in Portugal. It was built in August 2003 ahead of the 2004 European Championships (the EUROs). The tournament was a chance to receive public support for the redevelopment of old Jose Alvalade stadium. A completely new venue was built by the old neighboring one. It was designed by Portuguese architect Tomas Taveira, was known for lively and colorful stadiums. The new venue celebrates Sporting Lisbon's club colors and also bears the name of Alvalade, with the XXI suffix reminding visitors and fans that it continues a previous history. 

 Apart from there being seats for over 50,000 people and a 1,600 parking bay. The stadium hosts extensive infrastructure, including a conference center, supermarket club offices and is home to several other entities. 

 In 2004, four games of the European Championships (the EUROs) were played here and just a year later the UEFA Cup final was also hosted at the stadium, with Sporting CP reaching the final and losing to CSKA Moscow. Portugal's national side has also played several fixtures here. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/por/estadio_jose_alvalade

 The ground was built just adjacent of the former home of Benfica which used to stand there since 1954. Investment was prompted by Portugal hosting Euro 2004 and requiring extensive investment in infrastructure. Its common name, Estadio da Luz, refers to the neighbourhood of Luz in which it stands. Fans also refer to it as A Catedral (The Cathedral) – both of these names were inherited after its predecessor, which was one of Europe's largest venues back in the day. 

 Construction cost close to €120m and the design was done by Populous (back then they were known as HOK Sport). Interestingly, Benfica stands among one of the very few clubs in Portugal which financed their own stadium. Although the size proved to be too large in the first decade, the club has been doing well in attracting crowds. The record attendance of the inaugural match still stands.

The venue is famous for Benfica's unusual mascot, which is an eagle which flies over the pitch before each fixture. Thanks to its location in Lisbon, it has the largest capacity in Portugal. It was also the venue for the Euro 2004 final and it hosts numerous international games for Portugal's national team. UEFA chose da Luz as the location of the 2014 Champions League final. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/por/estadio_da_luz 

 The construction of the stadium, which was originally named Stade de Suisse between 2005 and 2020, started in 2003. It is among the main sports venues in Switzerland. Several world-famous artists have performed at the venue. In 2007, the stadium hosted its first-ever ice hockey match. SC Bern defeated the SCL Tigers 5-2 in that game, which took place in front of 30,000 fans. Patrik Bärtschi scored twice for SC Bern in that match. Christian Jonas Berglund, David Jobin and Simon Gamache also scored for SC Bern against the SCL Tigers in the ice hockey game.

 The stadium was one of the venues for the UEFA European Football Championships (the EUROs) in 2008. All three 2008 EUROs matches at the stadium which is now known as the Stadion Wankdorf were won by the Netherlands. They defeated Italy, 3-0 in the first match. 30,000 spectators showed up for that game. The Netherlands won 4-1 against France, in the second match. They Dutch team won their third match by 2-0, in which they faced Romania.  

 The club named BSC Young Boys moved to the Stadion Wankdorf in 2005. The club was founded in 1898. In 1903, they became Swiss football champions for the first time in their history. The Young Boys were one of the first Swiss football clubs to win 10 top-flight league titles. In 1959, they reached the semi-finals of the European Championship (the old UEFA Champions League competition) for football clubs for the first time in their history but they would lose to the French club Stade de Reims. 

Source Information:

https://worldofstadiums.com/europe/swiss-confederation/stadion-wankdorf/

 AT&T Stadium was built between 2006 and 2009, becoming the third venue in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, one of the NFL's most successful and recognizable teams. It cost $1.15bn to build, placing the facility among the most expensive stadiums in the world. The stadium was designed by HKS Architects and the main contractor was Manhattan Construction. 

 The construction of the stadium was fraught with challenges, as the design included many advanced and even ground-breaking as well as record-breaking features. Despite this, the works went according to plan and it was possible, as mentioned previously, to complete the construction in 2009. However, several serious accidents took place during the construction process, including one fatal accident (on June 14, 2008, 45-year-old electrician Timothy Mackinnon was killed by electrocution). 

 The complex and technically advanced structure is contained in a relatively simple, legible form. The tone is set by two huge truss arches spanning a length of 1,290 feet (393 m), which determine the shape of the massive, elliptical dome that covers the entire building. The arches, mostly covered by the aforementioned dome, only extend outwards in the final sections, revealing a bare steel frame. 

 One of the most important features of the stadium is the ability to close and open the roof. The two sets of huge glass gates behind the ends of the pitch are also openable. Inside, the eye-catching feature is the huge video screen, suspended under the roof by cables. The multi-level stands can accommodate 80,000 spectators, with the capacity to increase this to over 100,000, and the venue also offers 380 exclusive boxes. 

 It is important to emphasize that the stadium is a unique feat of architecture and engineering, which at the time of its opening, there was no other facility like this at that time as it was well ahead of that period. The facility was designed with creativity and flair, incorporating many modern or even innovative solutions, breaking many records in the process and giving further reason to believe in the truth of the claim that 'everything is bigger in Texas'. 

 The design that was adopted for the project is unique and has no equivalent anywhere. The facility can be described as a true masterpiece of modern architecture and ranks among the most spectacular stadiums in the world. The stadium was tailor-made for one of the NFL's most expensive and recognizable teams. 

 The stadium was one of the first heralds of a new generation of extremely expensive and modern arenas in the NFL. Its enclosed, thoughtful composition set it apart from the venues of the previous era, which focused primarily on functionality, with aesthetics and attention to detail being pushed to the background. 

 For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the venue was simply called Dallas Stadium due to the non-commercial name requirement. 

 The stadium is close to downtown Arlington, situated between the two largest cities in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, not far from the Interstate 30 connecting those cities. The stadium is also easily accessible from the international airport, which is located approx. 12 mi (20 km) to the north. 

 AT&T Stadium is surrounded by a fair amount of parking, with a total of 12,000 parking spaces in the immediate vicinity of the venue and as many as 30,000 within a 1-mile radius. 

 Outside, behind the stadium's glass gates, there are two elongated plazas which have been created, following the axis on which the pitch inside the facility is located (east-west, with a slight tilt). 

 Along the north and south sides of the stadium, arched and slightly sloping (14° tilt angle), glass facades extend. The walls are 86 feet high and are covered by a total of more than 5,000 glass panels, the transparency of which increases as the height increases. The north side of the stadium houses the Dallas Cowboys shop (Pro Shop). 

 A statue of Tom Landry, the long-time (1960–1988) coach of the Dallas Cowboys, stands at the north facade. The statue was originally placed in 2001 in front of the old Texas Stadium, and was moved under the new facility in 2009. 

 The walls of the building on the east and west sides (behind the end zones) are two sets of giant (120 ft high), sliding gates. Each gate consists of seven glazed panels, five of which are movable. They take 18 minutes to open or close. The three central panels have a normal-sized door at the bottom, which is used when the gates are closed. 

 The gates are usually opened in good weather. This aids air circulation and facilitates movement between the inside and outside of the stadium. Opening the gates and roof also reduces the perception of the stadium as an enclosed arena. 

 The main structural element of the roof consists of two trussed arches that run the entire length of the stadium, terminating in four concrete bases already located outside the perimeter of the building. Each of the arches weighs 3255 tonnes and spans a length of 1290 feet. Thanks to the use of the arches, the roof is devoid of internal supports. 

 The entire steel structure on which the roof is supported weighs 14,100 tonnes. At its highest point, the canopy is 292 feet above the playing field (a comparison with the Statue of Liberty is used to illustrate this point, which together with its pedestal measures little more than the height of the roof, and without the pedestal would fit inside the stadium without any problems). The roof is in the shape of an elliptical dome with an opening and closing section above the pitch, and has a surface area of 660,800 square feet. 

 On the surface of the roof, along two huge arches, there are tracks along which two movable panels are moved, allowing the facility to be fully closed. The moving parts are made of semi-transparent material. They are moved by gears and are powered by 128 motors, each with a relatively low power of 7.5 hp. As the panels move downwards, the angle of inclination increases, to a maximum of 23°. The procedure for opening or closing the roof takes 12 minutes. 

 The stadium's playing field is dug 50 feet below the ground level, which required a special drainage system to protect it from groundwater. The playing field is surrounded by multi-level, contoured stands with a nominal capacity of 80,000 spectators. Behind the end zones, a considerable amount of space is left in the stands, through which the glass gates behind can be seen. The structure of the main parts of the building is made of reinforced concrete. 

 The stands are equipped with dark blue folding seats, which are mounted on aluminum rails. The seats can be quickly and easily moved or dismantled so that, at the expense of reduced comfort (by moving them closer together), additional seats can be added, increasing the capacity of the venue. 

 Capacity can also be increased by filling the gaps in the stands behind the end zones with temporary structures. After reconfiguration, the venue can hold more than 100,000 spectators, making it the largest stadium in the NFL, as well as the largest fully-covered stadium in the world. During the first NFL game in the stadium, on September 20, 2009, an attendance of 105,121 was reached, breaking the regular season record. 

 Some of the edges of the stands were fitted with LED bands to display advertising and other multimedia displays. The edge between the rows of upper boxes is occupied by the Ring of Honor, which features the names of the most distinguished figures in Dallas Cowboys history. The Ring of Honor was also located in the old Texas Stadium. 

 With the ability to fully enclose the roof, the venue can also be used as a sports hall. On February 14, 2010, the 59th edition of the NBA All-Star Game was held here. A total of 108,713 spectators watched the game in the stadium, which set an all-time record for attendance at a basketball game, taking into account games with confirmed attendance figures.

 Visitors to AT & T Stadium can't help but notice the huge video screen, suspended from steel trusses by cables. By default, it is suspended 90 feet above the pitch, higher than the NFL's required minimum. Despite this, however, there is occasionally a rare situation where the video screen is hit by a ball during a game. The video screen can be lowered down to 25 feet above the field of play, which takes about 20 minutes.

 The structure consists of four screens, two main screens and two side screens. The main screens measure 160 × 72 feet and have a resolution of 1080p (HD). The two side screens measure 51 × 29 feet. The video screen was made by Mitsubishi. In 2009, it was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest high-definition video screen in the world, although it has since been overtaken by other, even larger displays. 

   The video screen is suspended over the center of the pitch and stretches from one 20-yard line to the other; its length, however, exceeds that of a basketball court, for example. The structure weighs 544 tonnes and cost $40 million to build. 

 The facility has all the necessary facilities and rooms for sporting events and competitions such as changing rooms, conference room, storage areas, etc. Interestingly, commentary boxes are located in the corner. The interior of the stadium is equipped with floodlighting and sound systems, as well as air-conditioning, making the stadium the largest air-conditioned arena in the world. 

 The interiors have been carefully laid out and finished with attention to aesthetics, branding and details. Getting around inside the venue is aided by lifts and escalators. Of particular note is the collection of modern artworks that can be admired in the rooms and corridors of the stadium; one of the works (Sky Mirror) is also located outside, behind the eastern doors – it was set up permanently at the stadium in 2013, having previously been temporarily exhibited at a number of venues around the world. 

 There are 380 private boxes in the stadium, located on five different levels, starting at pitch level. The lodges are designed to accommodate varying numbers of guests, from 12 to 68; in total, there are 12,000 seats in all lodges. 

 The venue offers a full range of spaces for hire for a variety of corporate events, meetings and other special occasions. In addition to the boxes, lounges and pubs, customers can use the pitch itself, the players' changing rooms, press boxes, conference room or spaces outside the stadium. The quality of the hospitality services is taken care of by Legends. 

 The facility is owned by the city, and the Dallas Cowboys lease it, paying $2m in rent per year and an additional $0.5m on profits from the sale of naming rights. 

 Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stadium underwent its first major upgrades, which cost $295 million. Renovations were primarily made to the private boxes and back areas. In addition, in order to widen the playing field to the size required by FIFA, the pitch was raised by 15 feet and the small number of seats in the lower stands were removed. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/usa/cowboys_stadium

 In 1928, the authorities of Marseille expressed a desire to build a municipal stadium because Stade de l'Huveaune belonged to the Olympique de Marseille club. The first project was rejected by the city council in 1930 due to excessive costs. The 1938 FIFA World Cup, organized in France, reignited interest in constructing a new sports facility. In 1935, the Parisian architect Henri Ploquin, who had previously worked on the municipal stadium in Vichy, proposed the construction of an Olympic stadium that would include an athletics track and a sports hall. Due to budgetary constraints, only the stadium itself was ultimately built.

 On April 28, 1935, the then-mayor of Marseille, Dr. Georges Ribot, laid the foundation stone for the construction of Stade Vélodrome. The stadium was built on the site of the former Turcat-Méry automotive factories, located between the Saint-Giniez and Sainte-Marguerite districts in the south of the city. The construction work lasted 26 months, during which 25,000 m³ of earth was moved and 240 ten-meter foundation piles were driven in.

  Stade Vélodrome was officially inaugurated on June 13, 1937, by the then Undersecretary of State for Sports, Léo Lagrange, in the presence of nearly 30,000 spectators. To mark the occasion, a grand sports day was organized, including an athletics meet and a cycling race on specially prepared tracks. The first winner in the new stadium was Marseille cyclist Antoine Pugliesi, who triumphed in the Gustave-Ganay criterion. The highlight of the ceremony was a friendly football match between Olympique de Marseille and the Italian club Torino FC. The match ended in a 2-1 victory for the home team, with Émile Zermani scoring the first goal in the new stadium. With the inauguration of Stade Vélodrome, OM officially moved there from its former stadium, Stade de l'Huveaune.

 In 1970, Stade Vélodrome underwent its first modernization. The old floodlights in the Ganay and Jean-Bouin stands were replaced with four 60-meter-high lighting masts, allowing for night matches. In March 1971, the stadium's capacity was increased by about 6,000 seats by reducing the cycling track and removing the cinder athletics track. After this renovation, Vélodrome could accommodate 55,000 spectators, including standing areas. 

 For the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, a comprehensive renovation of Stade Vélodrome was announced in March 1995, aiming to increase its capacity to 60,000 seats. The modernization project was entrusted to the Chagnaud - Travaux du Midi / Buffi consortium. The renovation cost 391.9 million francs, funded by the state and local authorities. The renovation was extensive, preserving only part of the Jean-Bouin stand (including the stadium facade) and the upper sections of the Ganay stand. The construction involved pouring 20,000 m³ of concrete, building 32 km of stands, 400 stair flights, and installing 650 tons of steel structures and 1,500 tons of reinforcements. 

 The renovation sparked controversy, mainly due to the lack of a roof, which affected the acoustics and comfort of the fans. Initially, it was planned to limit capacity to 40,000 for league matches and use the full 60,000 seats only for major games, but this idea was abandoned as OM regularly attracted over 50,000 spectators. The new Stade Vélodrome was inaugurated on December 4, 1997, during the draw ceremony for the 1998 World Cup groups. The stadium hosted seven matches of the tournament. 

 In the 2000s, the stadium did not undergo major changes. Despite its history, Stade Vélodrome was often criticized by Marseille residents for its architecture—the lack of a roof, poor acoustics, and open configuration. Coach Rolland Courbis even called it "L'Enrhumeur" (which can be translated as "the cold-maker"). Since 2003, various modernization projects had been proposed, including a 2005 plan to build a roof and increase capacity to 80,500 seats, but none were realized.   

It wasn't until France made a bid to host UEFA Euro 2016 that the Marseille authorities were forced to take concrete action to modernize the stadium in line with UEFA requirements. 

 On June 21, 2010, the city unveiled a renovation project for Stade Vélodrome, prepared for Euro 2016. The project was entrusted to Bouygues Construction through its subsidiary Arema, with a total cost of €267 million. Funding came from various sources, including Bouygues Construction investing €100 million, the city of Marseille contributing €40 million, the Bouches-du-Rhône department contributing €30 million, and additional funding from the French government and local organizations. 

 The redesign was led by SCAU Architecture, with key architects including Maxime Barbier, Bernard Cabannes, Luc Delamain, François Gillard, Michel Macary, and Aymeric Zublena. The renovation aimed to transform the stadium into a UEFA-compliant football venue and achieve five-star stadium classification (now replaced by Category 4). The most significant change was the addition of a roof, weighing 5,500 tons—80% of the Eiffel Tower's weight. The stadium's capacity increased to 67,394 seats. 

 Construction began in March 2011 and was completed in the summer of 2014. The stadium was officially reopened on October 16, 2014, with over 67,000 covered seats. 

 The stands were designed to provide comfort and excellent visibility for spectators. They are arranged on three levels, with upper sections added during the renovation, as well as new, more spacious VIP areas. The most significant changes affected the west and east stands, which were rebuilt from scratch with a modern seating layout and improved visibility. The Gustave Ganay Stand offers 22,398 seats, including 1,882 VIP seats in exclusive boxes. The Jean Bouin Stand has 12,300 seats. The north stand, also known as the Virage Nord Patrice de Peretti, accommodates 13,800 spectators. Similarly, the south stand, called Virage Sud Chevalier Roze, also has 13,800 seats. The central feature of the stadium is now its roof, an impressive "umbrella" structure.

  From the outside, the stadium looks impressive, with large, streamlined shapes emphasizing its modern character. One of its most striking elements is the monumental roof, which, combined with the bright façade, makes the structure stand out. 

 Since 1937, Stade Vélodrome has been the home of the Olympique de Marseille football club. Additionally, the stadium regularly hosts rugby matches, both domestic and international. While rugby union (rugby XV) is now predominant, the first rugby matches played here were in the rugby league (rugby XIII) format. The first rugby league match featuring the French national team took place on January 16, 1938, when Australia defeated France in front of 24,000 spectators. Stade Vélodrome also has roots as a cycling track. 

 Stade Vélodrome hosted matches in the FIFA World Cup in 1938 and 1998, as well as the UEFA European Championship (the UEFA champions League) in 1960, 1984, and 2016. The stadium has also hosted Olympic football tournament matches and Challenge des Champions games. 

 To date, the stadium in Marseille has hosted fifteen matches of the French men’s national football team. It is the stadium outside the Paris region which has hosted the most matches for Les Bleus. Apart from the World Cup and European Championship games, France has played nine friendly and qualifying matches there. The French women's national team has also played three matches at Vélodrome. 

 The stadium has hosted multiple Rugby World Cup matches in different formats, Top 14 semi-finals, Challenge Européen finals, the Six Nations Tournament, and the Champions Cup final. In 2026, Stade Vélodrome will once again host two Top 14 semi-finals. 

 Until 1967, the stadium was the finish line for ten Tour de France stages. In 1972, it hosted the Track Cycling World Championships. On July 22, 2017, the stadium once again hosted the start and finish of a time trial stage in the Tour de France, serving as the penultimate stage before the Paris finale. However, attendance was disappointing despite free entry, as Marseille residents preferred to watch the cyclists on the city streets. For several consecutive years, Vélodrome was the finishing location for the Grand Prix La Marseillaise, including the 2022 edition. 

 The stadium has also hosted other events, such as Holiday on Ice figure skating performances in the 1950s. 

Source Information:

https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/fra/stade_velodrome