StadiumDB.com

🇮🇹 Champions League by Lake Como… or not? Como are growing on the pitch, but their stadium is starting to fall short of the club’s ambitions. Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia currently does not meet several UEFA requirements — including issues with temporary stands, a lack of VIP facilities, and limited media infrastructure. On top of that, expansion is complicated by its lakeside location and strict landscape protection rules. If upgrades don’t begin in time, Como could be forced to play European matches away from their city. As things stand, the club sits fourth in Serie A — a position that would secure direct qualification for the Champions League. 🔗 stadiumdb.com/news/2026/03/i…

🏆2025/2026 UEFA Champions League: QUARTERFINALS CLUBS & STADIUMS The 2025–26 Champions League quarter-finals have delivered another set of blockbuster clashes across Europe. Paris Saint-Germain face Liverpool (Parc des Princes / Anfield), while Real Madrid take on Bayern Munich (Santiago Bernabéu / Allianz Arena). Barcelona meet Atlético Madrid (Camp Nou / Riyadh Air Metropolitano), and Sporting CP go up against Arsenal (Estádio José Alvalade / Emirates Stadium). The road to the final in Budapest at Puskás Aréna is now entering its decisive stage.

🤔 If you’re wondering what the Betis stadium looks like right now, the answer is: at least… strange. 📸 Drone photos from Estadio Benito Villamarín can of course be found on our website. 🔗 stadiumdb.com/constructions/…

THE 90’s vs PRESENT: Stadiums in Portugal 🇵🇹 Benfica played for decades at the original Estádio da Luz, inaugurated in 1954. Known as “A Catedral”, it eventually reached a capacity of around 120,000 spectators and became one of the largest stadiums in Europe, with crowds sometimes exceeding 130,000 in the 1980s. Ahead of UEFA Euro 2004, Benfica decided to replace it with a modern arena. The new Estádio da Luz opened in October 2003 with about 65,000 seats (now over 68,000) and hosted several Euro 2004 matches, including the final, becoming Portugal’s largest football stadium. FC Porto spent more than 50 years at Estádio das Antas, opened in 1952 and later expanded to around 55,000 seats. For Euro 2004 the club built the modern Estádio do Dragão, inaugurated in November 2003 with capacity just over 50,000. The stadium hosted major Euro 2004 matches, including the tournament’s opening game. Sporting CP previously played at the old Estádio José Alvalade, opened in 1956 and capable of holding around 75,000 fans at its peak. It was replaced by the futuristic Estádio José Alvalade XXI, opened in August 2003 as part of a large urban complex and used during Euro 2004, symbolizing a new era for the club.

🌎 Which World Cup was your favourite? All the stadiums that hosted the opening matches and finals of World Cups in the 21st century are featured in today’s video on YouTube. Join our community of 109,000 subscribers ⬇️ 🔗 youtu.be/xMQALAqAT_s?is…

🌎🏆2030 WORLD CUP FINAL STADIUM PROBABILITY 🔗 stadiumdb.com/news/2026/03/w… The race to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup final is already taking shape. According to our editorial estimates – the Santiago Bernabéu currently leads with about 40% probability. The stadium stands out thanks to its recent technological transformation, retractable roof and iconic global status. Spotify Camp Nou follows with roughly 30%, supported mainly by its enormous post-renovation capacity of around 105,000 seats. Morocco’s ambitious Grand Stade Hassan II near Casablanca is estimated at 28%, with plans for a spectacular 115,000-seat arena. Meanwhile Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz remains a distant outsider with about 2%, though it could still emerge as a political compromise between the hosts.

😅 A mistake of almost… 600 kilometres. A FC Barcelona fan wanted to watch the Champions League match in Newcastle. Instead, he ended up at a League One game in Exeter. All because of the almost identical names of the stadiums. After entering “St James Park” into his navigation, the app directed him to St James Park in south-west England, instead of St James’ Park in Newcastle. The result? A 590-kilometre mistake. When he arrived, the staff at Exeter City quickly realised something was wrong. Instead of sending the disappointed fan away, they invited him to watch the Exeter City – Lincoln City match in League One. 🔗 stadiumdb.com/news/2026/03/e…

🏆 STADE PRINCE MOULAY ABDELLAH WINS STADIUM OF THE YEAR 2025 The 16th edition of the Stadium of the Year contest has officially come to an end. Fans of stadium architecture from around the world cast 7,451 votes, evaluating 28 stadiums opened globally in 2025. Here is the final podium: 🥇 Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah (Rabat) – 14,481 points 🥈 Grand Stade de Tanger (Tangier) – 10,453 points 🥉 Claro Arena (Santiago) – 10,318 points The winner, Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah, became a symbol of Morocco’s massive investment in sports infrastructure ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Built between 2023 and 2025, the new national stadium in Rabat holds around 69,500 spectators and forms part of a larger sports complex including an arena hall, athletics stadium and Olympic swimming pool. Designed by Populous, the stadium features steep stands located very close to the pitch to enhance atmosphere, while its illuminated façade and modern infrastructure meet the highest FIFA standards. Thank you to everyone who took part in the vote You can check the full results on the Stadium of the Year 2025 page ⬇️ 🔗 stadiumdb.com/competitions/s…

🕰️ The clock is ticking! Voting for Stadium of the Year 2025 closes tonight at midnight. This year, 28 stadiums with a capacity of at least 15,000 seats have been nominated. Choose your top five and subscribe to our free newsletter to receive the partial results of the contest earlier. 🗳️ stadiumdb.com/competitions/s…

Retro Stadiums: BACK TO LIFE! Texas Stadium (Dallas) Opened in 1971, this iconic venue featured a distinctive hole in its roof so "God could watch His team." Home to the Cowboys, it was imploded in 2010. Old Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid) The classic Bernabéu was a steep, intimidating fortress of concrete. While the soul remains, the 2023 renovation replaced the old facade with a futuristic retractable roof and a 360-degree screen. Old Camp Nou (Barcelona) Europe's largest stadium, built in 1957, is currently being gutted. The "Espai Barça" project will add a third tier and roof, increasing capacity to 105,000 by its 2026 completion. Old Wembley (London) Famous for its Twin Towers, the original Wembley was demolished in 2003. It was replaced by the modern Wembley Stadium in 2007, known for its iconic 133-meter tall steel arch.

🇨🇱 CLARO ARENA: The Most Beautifully Located New Stadium in the World? Nestled at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Santiago, Chile, Claro Arena stands in one of the most spectacular natural settings for a football stadium anywhere in the world. The venue is located in the San Carlos de Apoquindo district, at the eastern edge of the Chilean capital, where the city gradually gives way to the dramatic mountain landscape. Opened in 2025 after a major redevelopment of the former Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo, the stadium is now the modern home of Universidad Católica (@Cruzados). The project transformed the old ground into a compact and contemporary arena while keeping its famous scenic surroundings. The expansion increased capacity from 14,000 to more than 20,000 spectators, bringing supporters closer to the pitch and improving the matchday atmosphere. Claro Arena has been nominated for the Stadium of the Year 2025 competition organized by StadiumDB, where it competes alongside 27 other stadiums opened around the world in 2025. 🗳️ Voting is open until March 9, and fans can choose their five favourite stadiums. If you appreciate architecture, atmosphere, and incredible locations like this one in Santiago, make sure to check the nominees and cast your vote. 🔗 stadiumdb.com/competitions/s…

⚡️5 months of progress at New Nissan Stsdium The New Nissan Stadium in Nashville is a 60,000-seat enclosed venue for the Tennessee Titans, designed by Manica Architecture and featuring a lightweight, translucent ETFE roof. Construction began on February 29, 2024, adjacent to the current stadium. The project is valued at approximately $2.1 billion and is financed through a public-private partnership. Around 1,400 workers are on site daily, with progress remaining on schedule for completion in 2027, when it will replace the existing stadium and host major events year-round, including the Super Bowl and large-scale concerts. 🔗 stadiumdb.com/constructions/…

🏟️🏆 Opening and Final Match Stadiums of the FIFA World Cup 2006–2026 Waiting for the 2026 World Cup? Check out our complete fan guide. Matches, stadiums, and tickets – everything you need in one place. 🔗 stadiumdb.com/news/2026/02/w… From 2006 to 2026, the FIFA World Cup has rotated between iconic arenas across continents. In 2006, the tournament opened at the Allianz Arena in Munich and concluded at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. South Africa followed in 2010, with both the opening match and final staged at Soccer City in Johannesburg. Brazil 2014 began at Arena de São Paulo and ended at the legendary Maracanã. Russia 2018 used Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium for both occasions. Qatar 2022 opened at Al Bayt Stadium and finished at Lusail Stadium. In 2026, the Estadio Azteca will host the opener, while the final is set for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

🇭🇰 Kai Tak Stadium: PROJECT, PROGRESS, STADIUM Vote now for Kai Tak Stadium and more venues at stadiumdb.com/competitions/s…! Kai Tak Stadium is the 50,000-seat centrepiece of Hong Kong’s 28-hectare Kai Tak Sports Park, built on the former airport site. Designed by Populous and delivered under a design-build-operate contract, construction began in April 2019 and the venue opened in March 2025. It features an acoustically sealed retractable roof and an adaptable pitch for football, rugby and concerts. The project cost is widely reported at about HK$30 billion, and it has already hosted the Hong Kong Sevens and major shows 🗳️ Competing in Stadium of the Year 2025, Kai Tak Stadium is considered one of the favourites. Vote for this stadium if it deserves a place in your top five.

🔵🔴 4 rejected Camp Nou projects. Which one would you choose? Renovating Camp Nou was already being discussed at the end of the 20th century, and the first design concepts appeared in the early 2000s. In 2006, several projects were presented, but ultimately none of them was selected. Between 2014 and 2017, multiple architectural firms once again took part in a competition to redesign Camp Nou, and the rejected proposals were truly impressive. Did any of them deserve to be chosen? See all 11 rejected Camp Nou projects in our new YouTube video on Spanish channel ⬇️ 🔗 youtu.be/uewEqwx6TNo?is…

🇮🇹 Lazio unveil full Stadio Flaminio plan — here’s what we know: • Renovation, not demolition – “two stadiums in one” concept • Preserve Nervi’s 1960 Olympic structure + new lightweight canopy • 50,570 seats – 100% covered, compact bowl close to the pitch • UEFA Category 4 standards • €430–480m investment (+ €55m mobility upgrades) • 99-year concession model (private funding focus) • Works: 2027–2029 • First match: late 2029 / early 2030 • Target: EURO 2032 venue The project is part of “Lazio 2032 – Il Sogno Responsabile”, Lotito’s long-term strategy built on financial stability, asset growth, and sporting competitiveness. Green ring around the stadium, reduced car traffic, enhanced public transport, year-round commercial use (museum, events, retail). A historic revival — now all eyes on approvals. 🔗 stadiumdb.com/news/2026/02/i…

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 At Emirates Stadium, Arsenal FC have confirmed the introduction of a licensed safe standing area starting from the 2026/27 season. Rail seating will be installed in the lower Clock End, allowing selected sections to operate as standing areas in line with regulations set by Sports Grounds Safety Authority. A second phase is expected to cover the lower North Bank in 2027/28, bringing the total number of safe standing places to around 13,500 for home and away supporters. At the same time, the club has announced another rise in season ticket prices — the fifth consecutive annual increase. General Admission and Club Level tickets will rise by an average of 3.9%, with upper-tier season tickets reaching roughly £1,291 to £2,196. Arsenal Supporters’ Trust criticised the move, pointing to growing revenues and concerns over long-term affordability.

Morocco has opened 5 (!) stadiums with capacities above 15,000 in just one year! 🇲🇦 Grand Stade de Tanger (75,600) 🇲🇦 Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah (68,700) 🇲🇦 Stade Moulay El Hassan (22,000) 🇲🇦 Stade Olympique de Rabat (21,000) 🇲🇦 Stade Al Medina (18,000) Vote for the Moroccan stadiums – and all other nominees – in the public vote of Stadium of the Year 2025! 🔗 stadiumdb.com/competitions/s…

😮 BERNABEU vs CAMP NOU Real Madrid’s Bernabéu rebuild began in 2019 and, while matches continued, delivered a new steel skin, retractable roof and high-tech event infrastructure, with the stadium reopening in late 2023 and works wrapping in 2024. Barcelona’s Camp Nou project started after the final 2023 match and remains under construction: Barça moved to Montjuïc and returned only partially in November 2025 with reduced capacity, while full completion is now projected for 2027.