Good sports are synonymous with good stadiums. Stadiums are very important because audiences always like to watch live over other media so as to get first-hand experience. Over the years, the appetite for sports in the audience has been growing. This has created a corresponding need for better and larger stadiums. This has led to the construction of iconic infrastructure across the world. Below are the top 10 largest stadiums ever constructed in the world;
1. Rungando 1st of May Stadium, North Korea
Rungando 1st of May Stadium is a North Korea stadiumthat ranks first amongst the largest stadiums ever constructed. It was built in 1989 and with a capacity of 150,000 people. The stadium is fitted with comfortable seats for those attending any event. The stadium hosts several events including soccer, gymnastics, and wrestling, and artistic performances. The stadium broke audience performance by hosting 190,000 and 150,000 people during the Championship Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling respectively.
2. Salt Lake Stadium, India
The stadium was recently renovated and its seating capacity enhanced to 120,000, making Salt Lake Stadium the second-largest stadium in the world. It is the biggest stadium in India. The stadium was constructed in 1984 and underwent renovation in 2011. In 1997, the stadium hosted more than 137,000 people during the Federation Cup Semifinal football game between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal teams.
The stadium has hosted several football leagues, national and international matches, including the FIFA World Cup in 1986.
3. Michigan Stadium, USA
With a capacity of more than 113,000 people, Michigan Stadium was constructed in 1927 at a cost of $1.4 million. The stadium is commonly called “The Big House” and is home to the Wolverines, a Michigan foot team. Since 1975, the stadium has maintained a record of hosting more than 100,000 people during all home football matches. It ranks number 2 in the largest stadiums ever constructed
4. Beaver Stadium, USA
Beaver Stadium is located in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the world. It is also the oldest in the world. The stadium was named after Pennsylvania Governor and is owned by Penn State University. The stadium was constructed in 1909 and later expanded to add more seats. It has a capacity of 110,753 people.
5. Estadio Azteca, Mexico
Estadio Azteca is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. The stadium is located in a suburban area in Mexico city. The stadium was constructed in 1996 and originally had a capacity of 80,000. It was later renovated and enhanced to a capacity of 105,000. The stadium hosted 2 FIFA World Cup final matches in 1970 & 1986.
Estadio Azteca witnessed the ‘Goal of Century’ delivered by Maradona in the 1986 quarterfinal match between Argentina and England.
6. Ohio Stadium, USA
The Ohio Stadium is home to Ohio University‘s Buckeyes Football team and has a capacity of 104,000 people. The stadium is commonly called ‘Horse Shoe’ or just ‘Shoe’ and has hosted national football league matches since 1922. Ohio Stadium has hosted several music concerts like Elton John, U2, and Rolling Stones for the last two decades.
7. Kyle Field Stadium, USA
Kyle Field Stadium was constructed in 1927 and is located in Texas A&M Univesity campus, Texas. The stadium is home to A&M’s Aggie Football team and has a capacity of 102,000 people.
8. Neyland Stadium, USA
Neyland Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in the world with a capacity of 102,000 spectators and was named after Robert Neyland, the Tennessee College football coach. The stadium is known for hosting national conventions and is home to the National Football League. Neyland Stadium was constructed in 1921.
9. Tiger Stadium, USA
Tiger Stadium is located in Louisiana, USA, and originally had a capacity of 12,000. It was later renovated to increase its capacity to 101,000 people. The stadium is home to LSU football Team and located at Louisiana State University. It is commonly called ‘Death Valley’ by opponents as it is difficult to beat the home team.
10. Darell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
Darell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium was originally a War Memorial and was constructed in 1924. It is one of the largest stadiums in the world. The stadium has undergone several renovations that have raised its capacity to more than 100,000 spectators. Darell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is part of home to Austin Longhorn Football Team and is part of the University of Texas, Austin.
The stadium was named after Darell K Royal of the US Corps in 1996 after he helped Texas Football Team win several matches as coach.
This list is flawed. Estadia da luz in Lisbon portugal held over 125,000 people with max capacity recorded at 127,000. 20,000 more than Michigan.