You do not have to be a soccer fan to appreciate the beauty and the complexity of a well-built stadium. However, if you are, you will enjoy this article a little bit more. Below, we present the top 4 most beautiful stadiums in the world that we are sure you are going to love.

Soccer City Stadium – Johannesburg, South Africa

This stadium was first open to the public in 1989, but then the World Cup was announced to be held here in 2010, so an incredible renovation project was in order. As a result of the project, the Soccer City Stadium became the largest on the continent with 90 thousand seats. However, what people seem to love about it is the architecture. It has a unique shape. In fact, it resembles a traditional African pot. Surely, if you go there, you will be amazed not only at the size but at how it looks too. The people of South Africa are incredibly proud of their stadium. As a result, it was used for the funeral ceremony of Nelson Mandela in 2013.

Bird’s Nest Stadium – Beijing, China

When you think about a bird’s nest, you have this image of a small and intimate place that you can often find in trees, right? Well, apparently, China transformed it into a 90 thousand seat stadium that stands majestically in Beijing. The architecture of the stadium is impressive, to say the least. The steel beams are woven to resemble the small sticks a bird uses to build a nest. The lighting of the beams was very well-thought as well, and at night, the stadium puts on a magical light performance. The Bird’s Nest Stadium was inaugurated in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics, and since then, its capacity was reduced to 80 thousand.

National Stadium – Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Apparently, China’s neighbors in Taiwan took a good look at their bird’s nest and decided to create something even more spectacular. Located in the south of the island, the National Stadium is a real work of art. It has a unique architecture, and it is not as big as the other two we presented. It has only 40 thousand seats. Even so, the dragon-like design is what makes people look at the stadium in awe. Taiwan wanted to add something special to their stadium, which is why the materials used for the build can all be recycled. Moreover, the entire structure is powered by green energy. Solar energy, to be more specific.

Maracanã Stadium – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

We cannot talk about soccer and not bring up Brazil, can we? Maracanã Stadium is traditional, but it is one of the most beautiful in the world. It is often referred to as the pride of Brazil, and by the looks of it, there is no wonder. The structure goes as back as 1950, and back then, it had 200 thousand seats. As you can imagine, safety became a more serious issue in the last few decades, which is why the capacity has been reduced to only 80 thousand seats. Even so, this particular stadium still is the home of many memorable events such as performances by Frank Sinatra and Paul McCartney. Not to mention that it is the home of Brazil’s national soccer team. It may not have the wow factor as the other 3 stadiums we presented, but it has tradition.

Even if you are not a soccer fan, visiting these stadiums can make up for a memorable experience. Please keep in mind that some of the countries in which these stadiums are located require a visa. Check for electronic visas before anything else. Other than that, happy travels!