Soccer fans generate a stadium atmosphere unlike any other sport. Throughout the world, you can find supporters of a club who will go to any lengths to support their team. These fans are capable of shaking an entire stadium, leaving the rival team, and even their own, in awe. In this article, we rank the 5 best stadiums for fan atmosphere in the world.
5. San Siro (AC Milan, Inter Milan)
This stadium is one of the most iconic in the world simply for its stature. Not only is it the home stadium to legendary clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan, but it has also hosted a wide variety of World Cup, Olympics, Euro Championships. When it comes to tifos (large graphic banners held up by the supporters’ section), the best viewing will undoubtedly be at AC Milan vs. Inter Milan matches, also known as the Derby della Mandonnina. The crowd noise from the Milanisti (AC Milan fans) and the Nerazzurri (Inter Milan fans) combine inside the stadium which amplifies the chants, making it an intense atmosphere.
4. Anfield (Liverpool FC)
The legendary Kop is one of the crown jewels of world football. Before regulations required them to switch to being a seated section, they could fit nearly 30,000 people as a standing-only section. Today, the Kop can still accommodate an impressive 12,500, and discussions continue about further expansions. As former manager Bill Shanky (1959-1974) described it, the Kop has the capability to “suck the ball into the back of the net.” Look no further than the legendary 4-0 (4-3 on aggregate) win over Barcelona at Anfield in 2019.
3. Celtic Park (Celtic Glasgow)
Lionel Messi himself said that this stadium was the greatest atmosphere in Europe, and how can we argue against the GOAT? During his long tenure with FC Barcelona, Messi played at Celtic Park a total of three times during the UEFA Champions League. He said: “It is the best atmosphere in Europe, and we all want to experience that again.” His teammate and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez said it was “the most impressive stadium I’ve ever witnessed,” and Zlatan Ibrahimovic reportedly said that it was so loud that he was unable to communicate with his teammates.
Celtic Park is also known as Paradise, and the Celtic faithful have made the stadium a cauldron of noise since 1892. They sing the song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in unison before each match, holding up their iconic green scarves that relate to the Irish Catholic immigrants in Glasgow.
2. Westfalenstadion (Borussia Dortmund)
Not many can do it better than the legendary Yellow Wall. It sits on the south side of the Borussia Dortmund stadium. It holds 25,000 people and is the largest standing terrace in Europe, or as former manager Jurgen Klopp put it, “It looks like 150,000 people are standing there, going crazy.” In total, the stadium can hold approximately 81,321 people, although is limited to around 61,000 people during European competitions due to UEFA regulations.
The stadium itself is relatively newer, built in 1974 in preparation to host the World Cup, and is the largest stadium in Germany. It has since become one of the most iconic locations in world football. The stands themselves are very close to the field, making it feel like the Yellow Wall is towering over you.
1. La Bombonera (Boca Juniors)
Diego Maradona called this stadium ‘The Temple’. The official name of the stadium is Estadio Alberto J. Armando, but the La Bombonera nickname comes from the stadium’s unusual shape, which resembles a chocolate box. The architecture of the stadium is unique, as it has three stands that are steeply stacked upon one another and are very close in proximity to the pitch. The fourth stand is a near-vertical wall with skyboxes which makes the opposition feel trapped inside.
The rivalry between Boca Juniors and cross-town rival River Plate is known to be one of the most intense in sports, and there is no better time to see the atmosphere on display than during these games. The Boca Junior fans make the stadium literally shake, often referred to as the ‘Bombonera Shakes’.
