Visiting popular tourist cities around the world may be great for picturesque views and exciting memories, but many of these trending locations offer a frequently underexplored stop: soccer stadiums. While soccer may not be a fan-favorite sport in the United States, it’s a booming game that continues to dominate the sports industry across the globe. Bringing together millions of fans in support of the beautiful game, these five international stadiums are uniquely famous and conveniently located in cities likely already on a traveler’s bucket list.
Maracanã Stadium – Rio de Janeiro
The largest stadium in Brazil with a capacity just shy of 80,000 people, Maracanã Stadium is legendary in the soccer community for its rich history. Originally built for the 1950 World Cup, it has since seen continued use at the international level for the 2014 World Cup and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympic Games.
Better yet, Maracanã is known for being home to arguably one of the greatest players of all time — Pelé. At just 16 years old, Pelé made his Brazilian national football team debut at Maracanã Stadium and went on to be named “Athlete of the Century” in 1999. While Rio de Janeiro might be more well-known for monuments like the Christ the Redeemer statue, visiting the stadium is another great way to learn about Brazil’s cultural history and involvement with the sport.
Allianz Arena – Munich
A much newer stadium comparatively, the 75,000-person arena has redefined traditional expectations of a sports facility with its futuristic appearance. Opening in 2005, the Allianz Arena features the world’s first full color changing exterior, generally used to match the home team’s colors. While the arena is young, it has hosted numerous important matches including games in the 2006 World Cup and 2012 UEFA Champions League final. However, Allianz proves to be versatile as it sometimes plays host for regular-season games in the NFL’s International Series, which might just serve as the perfect excuse to visit this modern stadium.
Old Trafford – Manchester
Home to Manchester United, who is considered one of the top teams in the world, Old Trafford finds common ground between soccer fans and history lovers. Built for the first time in 1910, the stadium had to be rebuilt from the ground up 39 years later as a result of a World War II air strike. Despite Old Trafford’s tragic past, the future remains bright for this stadium. Nicknamed the “Theatre of Dreams,” the stadium honors Manchester United’s consistent success on the pitch and continued fulfillment of fans’ dreams.
Old Trafford has seen no shortage of famous athletes on its field either, both past and present. Big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, George Best and Tony Dunne have graced the stadium proving Old Trafford can stand the test of time. Soccer enthusiast or not, having the opportunity to watch one of the world’s best teams compete on their home turf is sure to be an electric experience.
Santiago Bernabéu – Madrid
Classified as an elite stadium in 2007, Santiago Bernabéu is home to another world-renowned team — Real Madrid. Recently finishing its renovations in 2023, the stadium made some jaw-dropping improvements including a retractable field, removable roof and a 360-degree video wall. With its newfound flexibility, Santiago Bernabéu is used for all sorts of entertainment events from sports to galas.
While the stadium no longer looks like the original 1947 structure, its extensive history continues to be preserved through a guided tour of the facility. Showcasing Real Madrid’s trophy collection and other memorabilia from famous athletes, the Santiago Bernabéu is considered a symbol of international soccer and provides the perfect opportunity for travelers to learn about Spain’s continued connection to the sport.
Estadio Azteca – Mexico City
The largest stadium in Mexico and Latin America with a capacity just over 87,000 people, Estadio Azteca is known for housing some of the greatest moments in the sport’s history. Diego Maradona, a world-class player, scored his revered 1986 “Hand of God” goal here. Estadio Azteca also saw the “Game of the Century” in the 1970 World Cup semifinal where five of the game’s seven goals were scored in overtime, the most in any FIFA game. No stranger to writing history, the stadium is set to host a handful of 2026 World Cup games and even one NFL International Series game.
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