Pyongyang, North Korea | Built in 1989 for 150,000 people, and at peak holding 190,000 during a boeing match, this is the national stadium of North Korea. Based on the Rungrado islet, it was downscaled after conversion into an all-seater in 2014, but to this day remains the world’s largest stadium.

Barcelona, Spain | Europe’s largest stadium isn’t big enough to make the top ten globalny, but if we only count all-seaters, it’s the world’s second largest. That combined with FC Barcelona’s legend makes it a place of literal pilgrimage!

Johannesburg, South Africa | By far the largest stadium of Africa, this stadium owes its immense scale to the 2010 World Cup reconstruction. Since 2009 it offers not only the large sunken bowl, but two additional rings of general admission seats as well as two business rings.

London, England | When the old Wembley opened in 1923, it was able to hold 123,000 people. Still, with over 90,000 the successor is still Europe’s second largest football venue. Both famous for grand events and infamous for lack of atmosphere.

Lusail, Qatar | The impressive venue in the heavily developed northern suburbs of Doha was built as Qatar's largest World Cup arena. During the championships, the stadium hosted, e.g., the grand final of the event. Ultimately, however, the upper level of the auditorium is to be dismantled, making the big bowl of Lusail likely to fall out of the mix soon…

Bukit Jalil, Malaysia | When it was opened in 1998, it was officially declared to have 100,000 seats. But that claim didn’t hold up in the long run as the stands are somewhat smaller, even if still the second largest across Asia! Soon to be redeveloped.

Borg El-Arab, Egypt | Located almost on the Egyptian riviera, the country’s largest stadium was built as part of a 2010 World Cup effort. It’s also able to hold the Olympics, but neither of these events is likely soon.

Sydney, Australia | Upon hosting of the 2000 Olympics it was able to hold 120,000 people, breaking records for Olympic venues. But after removal of temporary seating it’s now much smaller and may lose further 20,000 sooner than later…

Mexico City, Mexico | As far as individual seating is concerned, no stadium across North and South America can match the Mexican icon of football. But, having hosted two World Cup finals, Azteca’s capacity is now expected to fall to “only” around 80,000.

East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | Upon opening it was by far the most expensive stadium worldwide at $ 1.6 billion. This proved enough to build the largest stadium of NFL, but well short of domestic or international dominance. Even a roof wasn’t included.

London, England | London is the only city on our list with two stadia. This second one, the national rugby stadium, owes its place here to the 2006 expansion of the south end.

Jakarta, Indonesia | In 2022, fans in Jakarta lived to see a facility to match (or perhaps exceed?) their ambitions and expectations. Jakarta International Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in the world with a retractable canopy and the largest football-specific venue in Asia.

Saint-Denis, France | To this day it’s among the best large stadiums worldwide, having been opened ahead of the 1998 World Cup and then renovated before Euro 2016. On a regular basis it hosts most important domestic and international games in France.

Jakarta, Indonesia | Moscow's famous Luzhniki underwent a major redevelopment ahead of the 2018 World Cup. While the outside of the venue has largely retained its original form, the inside has undergone a major transformation following the removal of the athletics track and the rebuilding of the stands.

Guangzhou, China | Built for the 9th National Games, it was even considered as a possible 2008 Olympics venue, but never got that role. Still, to this day the stadium remains China’s largest stadium, even if by only a handful of seats.

Arlington, Texas, USA | It broke many records and indeed its scale is intimidating even when empty. In fact it can hold up to 105,000 people when temporarily expanded, but only some 80,000 are permanent seats.

Beijing, China | Known for its revolutionary design, the Chinese national stadium was initially intended to hold 100,000 people and have a retractable roof. In the end both these things didn’t happen, but with “only” 80,000 seats it’s still a major landmark of Beijing.s

Hangzhou, China | Hangzhou's remarkable facility took nearly a decade to build, but when completed, the city boasts one of the three largest stadiums in all of China. On the outside, the facility is covered in steel petals, which make it reminiscent of a lotus flower.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Today it’s hard to imagine it once held almost 200,000 people and wasn’t even finished at that point. Following conversion to all-seater the Rio de Janeiro icon is still South America’s largest (100%-seated), but its capacity is a fraction of the original one.

Tehran, Iran | For decades its official capacity was beyond 100,000 and record attendance was actually close to 130,000! But now, following final phase of conversion to an all-seater, Azadi Stadium ends up below 80,000.