Spain has been a cultural hotspot for sports since the dawn of time, be it football or bullfighting. A Spain football stadium can host multiple sports for its avid viewership. Whether it is Camp Nou, the home to the Blaugrana and F.C Barcelona, or the Santiago Bernabéu, home to one of the most revered football teams in the world, Real Madrid, Spain has hosted some of the most iconic and most memorable moments in the history of the sport. Spain has been studded with some of the best stadiums in the world, and these have always brought glory and pride to the country of Spain. From impeccable architecture to its rich cultural history, we will talk about the top 10 best stadiums in Spain and probably the world.
The Top 10 Best Stadiums in Spain
Let’s dive into the best stadiums in Spain. While you may find the regular suspects lurking, remain strapped in for some eye-widening surprises.
1. Camp Nou, Barcelona
“A really exciting place to be in if you love football. The stadium is deeply connected with the history of this sport.”
Club: F.C. Barcelona
Capacity: 99,354
City: Barcelona
Inauguration Year: 1957
Camp Nou in Barcelona is a stadium in Spain that needs no introduction. The name and the football club it represents speak a ton for themselves. Home to none other than the F.C. Barcelona and the former home of the number 1 football player in the world, Messi! It sure is a spectacle to behold and probably one of the best Spain football stadiums. When it is full of football fans cheering at the top of their lungs, it sounds like an army marching down screaming war cries. It has a massive area of 55,000 square metres, making it the second-largest football stadium in the world. It is the brain-child of two manic architects, Francesc Mitjans and Josep Soteras, who set out to make it the best stadium in Spain. It is not only famous for football but because it has seen moments in history other than sports. Some of these include the concerts of Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Julio Iglesias, making it one of the best football stadiums in Spain for concerts as well.
2. Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid
“A superb experience for any football fan. All the positives of a modern stadium without any loss of atmosphere.”
Club: Atletico Madrid
Capacity: 67,703
City: Madrid
Inauguration Year: 1994
Metropolitano stadium is another one of the jewels that Spain has been studded with. It is one of the most iconic and biggest stadiums in Spain. It is the proud home to Atletico Madrid and has beautiful architecture that makes it stand out from the rest. The stadium expands up to 54,537 square metres in area. In 2018, it hosted one of the biggest sporting events in the history of this world, the Copa del Rey Final between Sevilla and Barcelona, and the UEFA Champions League Final between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. It is one of the best stadiums in Spain that hosts some of the most exclusive events in the world.
3. Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
“Santiago Bernabéu stadium is a historical place, where one can see a series of hard work put together by Real Madrid and resulted in the form of cups.”
Club: Real Madrid CF
Capacity: 83,168
City: Madrid
Inauguration Year: 1947
Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is a stadium in Spain that needs no further introduction. Built in 1947, and has been the home to one of the richest and most revered football clubs - Real Madrid C.F. It is truly amongst the best stadium in Spain and the world. Known as the pinnacle of modern engineering, entertainment and football, this stadium has hosted one of the largest gatherings in sporting history, with a record-breaking number of 129,690 spectators during a game of Milan Vs Real Madrid. With a very long history of sportsmanship, this is one of the top Spanish stadiums as well as one of the best stadiums in La Liga. This stadium in Spain has a 360-degree screen and a retractable roof, named the “Stadium of the Future”. This stadium in Spain has also hosted some of the most major games in the history of football, including the 1957, 1969 and 1980 European Cup Finals.
4. Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán, Seville
“Nice football atmosphere. Perfect football experience. Must see tourist attractions in Seville.”
Club: Sevilla CF
Capacity: 42,714
City: Sevilla
Inauguration Year: 1958
The home of Sevilla Fútbol Club, located in the province of Seville, is one of the finest stadium in Spain called Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. It was built in 1955 and opened three years later in 1958; this brain-child of James Cox and Manuel Muñoz Monasterio is the ninth largest stadium in Spain. This stadium in Spain has sported many rivalries amongst the various Spain Football Clubs. Its sports history is as rich as any other top stadium in Spain. The mosaics on the exterior of the stadium are a sight to behold and are one of its most distinctive features. It hosted two famous FIFA World Cup matches in 1982 and two finals of the UEFA competitions in 1986 and 2022.
5. San Mamés, Bilbao
“What an amazing experience. Visiting this stadium was one of the things that made me fall in love with Bilbao.”
Club: Athletic Bilbao
Capacity: 53,331
City: Basque Country
Inauguration Year: 2014
Such is the story of San Mames; first built in 1913, it was the oldest football stadium in Spain until it was demolished. It hosted some of the finest and the best football teams and tournaments in its long history of Sports. It has been home to one of the oldest football clubs in Spain, Athletic Bilbao. San Mames served for over 100 years and was then demolished and rebuilt in 2013. The new San Mames stadium was completed 102 days after its groundbreaking ceremony. As one of the best La Liga stadiums, it holds a lot of historical culture, from Sports to Artists performing their last gigs. For instance, this stadium in Spain is where AC/DC held their final concert’s last act and was the last gig for their exceptionally talented guitarist, Malcolm Young. If you love football and history and want to learn more about a few of the best stadiums in the world, check out our blog on the 10 Best Stadiums in the U.K.
6. Estadio Mestalla, Valencia
“Wonderful stadium with a vast amount of history.”
Club: Valencia CF
Capacity: 49,430
City: Valencia
Inauguration Year: 1923
Estadio Mestalla is the 8th largest stadium in Spain with a capacity to host over 49430 spectators. It is one of the largest stadiums in Spain and is the home to Valencia Club de Futbol. It was opened to the public with a friendly match between Valencia and Levante in 1923. The Estadio Mestalla has also hosted many championships and tournaments, of which the most memorable ones are that of the FIFA World Cup of 1982, where it hosted three matches in round 5 for Spain VS Honduras, Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland. The Estadio Mastell has been under construction since 2007 and is set to be completed soon by 2025 with a new name, “Nou Mastella”, and will have the capacity to cater to 61,500 spectators. The Nou Mestalla is set to be the best Spain football stadiums.
7. Estadio Benito Villamarín, Seville
“Unbelievable stadium and a brilliant atmosphere.”
Club: Real Betis
Capacity: 60,720
City: Sevilla
Inauguration Year: 1929
Estadio Benito Villamarin is a stadium in Spain, in the province of Seville and is home to the football club Real Betis. It was built in 1929 and can hold 60,720 viewers. It was created by the impeccable minds of Aníbal González Álvarez-Ossorio. It was later renovated and inaugurated in 1939. You can always get the Real Betis Experience tour, which takes you through the complete experience of the stadium and its history.
In 2016, the stadium’s south stands were demolished so that the stadium could be expanded from a capacity of 52,000 to 60,720. Like any other stadium in Spain, the Estadio Benito Villamarin also has a long ongoing history. One of the most beautiful stadium in Spain hosted La Liga 2017-18 and hosted the FIFA World Cup of 1982, where Brazil played off against Scotland and New Zealand.
8. Estadio La Rosaleda, Malaga
“Great ground with fantastic views of the hills beyond. Impressive support and atmosphere.”
Club: Malaga C.F
Capacity: 30,044
City: Málaga
Inauguration Year: 1941
Estadio La Rosaleda is one of the best stadiums in Spain regarding its sporting history. It can seat around 30,044 people and is the 18th largest stadium in Spain. It is the home ground for the Malaga C.F. The Estadio La Rosaleda is situated in Malaga in Andalusia and was designed by the capable minds of Enrique Atencia and Fernando Guerrero Strachan. It was built in 1941 and underwent multiple renovations in 1982, 2000 and 2010. It has hosted a wide array of cultural, sporting and music events. Some of the most memorable and historic moments in this stadium were the three games it hosted for the FIFA World Cup in 1982 and many other music concerts, including Shakira with 59,000 spectators and George Michael with 62,000 spectators turning in to see their concerts, respectively. The long list of historical events in this stadium makes it one of the most celebrated and historically rich stadiums in Spain.
9. Estadio (Reale Arena) Anoeta, San Sebastian
“Amazing football ground. Really new and excellent views from every stand.”
Club: Real Sociedad
Capacity: 39,313
City: Basque Country
Inauguration Year: 1993
Estadio Anoeta is a stadium in Spain located in San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa. It is mostly utilised for football matches where Real Sociedad contest their home games for La Liga. It is popularly known as Reale Arena after its home football club, Real Sociedad. This stadium in Spain is currently one of the oldest. In recent days, it has also hosted multiple concerts and sporting events apart from the regular Football Tournaments. It has been used for the Heineken Cup Rugby Union as well. The stadium will be undergoing renovations soon to accommodate and rejuvenate the stadium’s facade.
10. Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, Elche
“Great views from any angle of the stadium... amazing team!”
Club: Elche C.F
Capacity: 31,388
City: Alicante
Inauguration Year: 1976
Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero is a renowned and historically rich stadium in Spain, located in the city of Elche in the province of Alicante, Valencian Community. It is home to Elche C.F. and acts as their home stadium. Along with this, the Spanish football team has played many competitive and friendly matches here in the Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero. It was constructed in 1923 and was designed by the brilliant architect Juan Boix Matarredona. This stadium in Spain has also served as one of the venues which hosted the 1982 FIFA World Cup. It has also received the A.F.R.A.F.E.P. Award for Best La Liga Stadium.
With this, we complete our tour of the best stadiums in Spain. While you’re headed out to experience these magnificent stadiums, you can find accommodation in Spain through amber anytime you need one. We hope you had as much fun reading this blog as we had writing it. Also, check out this blog to explore the best places to live in Spain.