Camp Nou
Imagine walking out of the tunnel to 99,000 screaming fans. Camp Nou is the biggest stadium in all of Europe and for good reason, the team taking the pitch every game is always, arguably the best team in the world. Barcelona has played on these grounds since 1957, winning most of them. The stadium capacity has varied greatly over the years, opening at 106,146, but growing to 121,749 for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. All these numbers are well over capacity, the stadium officially holds 98,722. In the coming months talks have started about further renovations to the stadium to add more seats, updating certain pieces of equipment and in the end making it the third biggest, non-racing stadium in the world behind Rungrado May Day Stadium in North Korea (150,000) and the Salt Lake Stadium in India (120,000). It held UEFA five-star stadium status which was superseded by a new system of classification. Talks were in the process to sell the practice building neighboring Camp Nou, but upon the choice of the new President, those ideas were ceased.Wembley Stadium
This massive stadium has only been open since 2007, well technically 1923. The new Wembley was built to supersede old Wembley by increasing capacity by 8,000 and creating an all-encompassing football experience to all of England and the World. Wembley in it's current state cost about $1.57 billion. The New Meadowlands Stadium in New York City is the only athletic facility in the world to cost more. Owned by the FA, it is rented out to the English National team for all home matches as well as hosting the upcoming Champions League Final in 2011. On top of those, even the NFL and the Race of Champions have been held here, yes, a race! A signature feature of the stadium, following on from the old Wembley's distinctive Twin Towers, is the 134 metres (440 ft) high Wembley Arch. With a span of 317 metres (1,040 ft), this steel arch is the longest single span roof structure in the world. As a sidenote, the stadium contains 2,618 toilets, more than any other venue in the world.San Siro
The industrial look of San Siro houses two of the best teams, not only in Italy, but in all of the world, A.C. Milan and Internazionale. Opening in 1926, it has gone through numerous renovations which has seen its capacity fluctuate from 26,000, all the way up to 100,000, and currently held at 80,074. The stadium underwent further renovations for the 1990 World Cup with $60 million being spent, bringing the stadium up to UEFA category 4 standard. As part of the renovations, the stadium became all seated, with an extra tier being added to three sides of the stadium. This entailed the building of 11 concrete towers around the outside of the stadium. Four of these concrete towers located at the corner to support a new roof which has distinctive protruding red girders. San Siro should be on any football fans list to visit before they die, especially for an Inter v. Milan match. Old Trafford
The ground, given the nickname the Theatre of Dreams by Bobby Charlton, has been United's permanent residence since 1910, with the exception of an eight-year absence from 1941 to 1949, following the bombing of the stadium in the Second World War. And since 1910, oh has Manchester United made it feel like home. Upon getting into the the NW side of Manchester, everything turns red. Houses, stores, even the people, everything is red and the stadium is no exception. Old Trafford's most recent expansion, which took place between July 2005 and May 2006, saw an increase of around 8,000 seats with the addition of second tiers to both the north-west and north-east quadrants of the ground. United continue to harbour plans to increase the capacity of the stadium further, with the next stage pointing to a redevelopment of the South Stand, which, unlike the rest of the stadium, remains single tier.Allianz Arena
Allianz could be the most beautiful stadium in Europe, as well as the most technologically-advanced. The two professional Munich football clubs FC Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 München have played their home games at Allianz Arena since the start of the 2005–06 season. It was built previous to that season for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The arena facade is constructed of 2,874 ETFE-foil air panels that are kept inflated with dry air to a differential pressure of 0.038 hPa. The panels appear white from far away but when examined closely, there are little dots on the panels. When viewed from far away, the eye combines the dots and sees white. When viewed close up however, it is possible to see through the foil. The foil has a thickness of 0.2 mm. Each panel can be independently lit with white, red, or blue light. The intention is to light the panels at each game with the colors of the respective home team, or white if the home team is the German national football team. (In the US, a similar scheme will be used for the new Meadowlands Stadium, which will light up in blue for the Giants, green for the Jets, and red for a concert.)Emirates Stadium
"The Spirit of Highbury" shrine depicting every player to have played for Arsenal during its 93 year residence at Highbury. It's murals depicting 12 "Greatest Moments" in Arsenal history around the lower concourse. The ongoing installation of eight large murals on the exterior of the stadium, each depicting 4 Arsenal legends linking arms, such that the effect of the completed design will be 32 legends in a huddle embracing the stadium. Everything about Emirates Stadium, formally Ashburton Grove, screams Arsenal FC. The new fixtures and amenities found in Holloway would make even Wembley blush. The stadium has gone through a series of renovations that make it one of the most beautiful arenas around. The details put into everything make it the building that it is and from what it sounds like there will only be more to come for this growing stadium currently holding 60,355 fans. The naming rights deal with the airline Emirates was struck in October 2004 for £100m and will last for 15 years.El Bernabéu
El Bernabéu, re-named in honor of their former chairman Santiago Bernabéu Yeste, is one of the world's most famous and prestigious football venues. It was inaugurated on 14 December 1947 and is owned by Real Madrid C.F. It has a current capacity of 80,354 spectators. Competing with the other powerhouse in Spain, Camp Nou, these two stadiums have more history than most buildings in the world. The stadium was announced the venue for the 2010 UEFA Champions League Final in a star-studded ceremony in Nyon in 2008. However, Real Madrid was eliminated in the Round of 16 of the 2009-10 Champions League, while FC Barcelona had advanced to the semi-finals. Barça fans became obsessed with reaching the final and winning the tournament in their rival's home ground, being seen as the ultimate humiliation to Madrid. The finals for the 1982 World Cup have also been held at the Bernabéu. It is a relatively urban setting compared to the others on the list, plugged right downtown Madrid.Stamford Bridge
'Stamford Bridge' is considered to be a corruption of 'Samfordesbrigge' meaning 'the bridge at the sandy ford'. Banners adorn the stadium tucked in West London. "The Only Place To Be Every Other Saturday", from the song Blue Day, is emblazoned at the arena as well as others paying homage to the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry, and Peter Osgood. Under Roman Abramovich's control, the club has announced that it wants to extend Stamford Bridge to around 55,000 seats, from its current capacity of 42,450. Throughout the stadium the seats, like in other arenas, have been converted into make-shift banners, the side lines reading Chelsea, while the end caps read Adidas, the teams kit sponsor. KSS Design Group (architects) designed the complete redevelopment of Stamford Bridge Stadium and its hotels, megastore, offices and residential buildings in 2003. And as of August 2010[update], 19 out of the last 24 major domestic trophies have gone to either Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford. In the future the Blues hope that this number can become more skewed towards the former and not the latter. 
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