The 10 best football stadiums in Spain
Spain is the most football country in Europe. This is the homeland of the most titled clubs in the world — Barcelona and Real Madrid. It is impossible to list all the great players who played for Spanish clubs. But first of all, multiple Ballon d’Or winners Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi come to mind. What football stadiums, besides Camp Nou in Barcelona and Santiago Bernabeu, are still worth visiting in Spain? Let’s figure it out together.
Spotify Camp Nou
Spotify Camp Nou is the home stadium of football club Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. The name of the Camp Nou stadium is translated from Spanish as “new field”. Camp Nou was built in 1957 and became the biggest football stadium in terms of capacity not only in Barcelona, Spain but also in the world. 99,354 spectators can watch their favorite team play at the same time. In addition to La Liga matches, it hosts games of the Champions League, European and World Championships, Copa del Rey, and more. Camp Nou Stadium also hosted concerts by Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Julio Iglesias, and U2. There is a museum here where you can learn the history of FC Barcelona. By purchasing a ticket for a tour of the Camp Nou stadium, guests can visit the players’ dressing room, VIP box, press room, interview area, go through the tunnel, and even visit the field.
In 2023, renovation began at the Camp Nou stadium. During the construction work, Barcelona will play at the Olympique Lluis Companys Arena on Montjuïc hill.
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
Santiago Bernabeu is the home stadium of the Spanish football club Real Madrid in Madrid. It was opened in 1947 and has been reconstructed several times since then. As a result of these works, the capacity of Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium was approximately 85,000 spectators. Another large-scale renovation took place in the 2020s. 360-degree viewing screens were installed throughout the arena to provide high-quality audiovisual content. In the underground part of the new Santiago Bernabeu stadium of Real Madrid FC, there is a unique greenhouse that keeps the lawn in exemplary condition. There is a special mechanism for lifting the grass onto the field in sections, which together form an ideal surface. The roof of the updated arena has a retractable system. The facade of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium was also completely changed as a result of renovation — it was covered with metal panels.
The arena is named after one of the presidents of the Real Madrid club. Its field hosts matches of the highest levels and large-scale shows. Among the artists who performed here are Julio Iglesias, Frank Sinatra, U2, Bruce Springsteen, and the Rolling Stones. Fans can purchase a ticket for the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium tour, which includes visits to the FC Real Madrid museum and interior.
Read also: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is the home arena of Real Madrid FC
Civitas Metropolitano
Civitas Metropolitano was formerly known as Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. You can also often find an alternative name for the arena — Estadio Metropolitano. It is the home stadium of the Atlético Madrid football team in Spain. It was opened in Madrid in 1994 and from 2004 to 2017 large-scale reconstruction was undergoing. Its capacity is more than 70,000 people. The stadium hosted matches of the Spanish Super Cup, the Champions League, and the Spanish Cup, as well as games of rugby teams and athletics competitions. The arena featured performances by the Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, Guns N’Roses, and Rammstein, as well as solo artists The Weeknd, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, and Bruce Springsteen.
Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan is the arena where the Sevilla team is based in Andalusia. It received its name in honor of the president of the club in the 1930s-1950s. The stadium was opened in 1958. In 2015, a global reconstruction began, including covering the facade with metal elements and LEDs, installing additional scoreboards, and expanding the eastern stand. Once completed, the stadium will have a capacity of 43,000 people.
The Spanish national team did not lose a single game at Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán.
In 1982, two matches were held here as part of the FIFA World Cup. In 1986, the arena hosted the final of the European Cup, and in 2022 the decisive game of the Europa League. There are tours of the stadium, during which you can visit the VIP boxes, press room, and locker room, walk through the tunnel, see the benches where the players sit and the field itself, go to the post-match interview area and visit the Sevilla brand store.
San Mamés
San Mames is the home base of Athletic Bilbao in the city of Bilbao in the Basque Country. This is one of the new football stadiums in Spain with a seating capacity of 53,000 spectators. Its opening was in 2013. Games of international football championships have not yet been held here, but there have already been several large-scale concerts — Guns N’Roses and Muse.
At San Mamés there is the Athletic Bilbao Museum. There are also tours of the interior and field.
Estadio Mestalla
Mestalla is the home stadium of Valencia. It has been operating in the city of Valencia since 1923 and seats 49,000 spectators. Of course, over 100 years it has gone through several reconstructions and rebuildings, allowing it not to lose its relevance. In 1992, football matches were held here as part of the Olympic Games. In addition, Estadio Mestalla hosted games of the Spanish national team at the 1982 World Cup and matches of the Spanish Cup in different years.
There are tours around the stadium, during which you can learn interesting facts about the Valencia club and visit the premises under the stands.
Estadio Benito Villamarín
Benito Villamarin is another football stadium in Seville, where the Real Betis team is based. It has been operating since 1929. It is one of the largest football stadiums in Spain with a capacity of over 60,000 spectators. Like some others, it is named after one of the presidents of the club. The arena hosted two group-stage matches of the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
You can book a tour at Estadio Benito Villamarín to learn all about Real Betis and get a behind-the-scenes look at the club.
Estadio de La Cerámica
Estadio de la Ceramica is the home arena of the Villarreal football club from the city of the same name in Valencia. It opened in 1923 and can accommodate 23,000 fans. The stadium hosted matches of the Spanish national team, as well as games of European club tournaments of the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
A distinctive feature of the arena is the facade covered with yellow ceramic tiles, which refers to the developed local industry. There are tours of the stadium, including specific areas and the field.
At the same time, half of the city of Villarreal, whose population is 50,000 people, can watch the match at the Estadio de La Cerámica.
Estadio La Rosaleda
La Rosaleda is the stadium of the Malaga team in Andalusia. It has been in operation since 1941 and can accommodate 30,000 fans at a time. In 1982, three games were held here as part of the FIFA World Cup. The Spanish national team also played in the arena several times and Champions League matches were held. Estadio La Rosaleda has been used as a concert venue more than once. Shakira, George Michael, Mexican bands Maná and RBD, and Spanish musician Alejandro Sanz performed there.
At the stadium, you can visit the museum of the Malaga Football Club and book an interesting excursion.
Estadio de Anoeta or Reale Arena
Anoeta or Reale Arena is the stadium of Real Sociedad in the city of San Sebastian in the Basque Country. It opened in 1993 and has a capacity of 39,000 people. The stadium mainly hosts La Liga matches. From time to time, the arena becomes a venue for competitions in other sports — rugby, for example, as well as a concert venue. Pink Floyd, U2, Depeche Mode, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Bon Jovi performed here.
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