5 Of The World’s Most Impressive Stadiums

#1 Allianz Arena, Munich – Germany

The football stadium was opened in 2005 and the unique architecture of the arena was constructed in just under three years. The stadium was designed by the Swiss architects Herzog and De Meuron and supports a total of 75,000 seats during national games and 70,000 seats during international games.

Allianz Arena is well-knowing for its exterior of 2,760 inflated ETFE foil panels and with a full color changing the exterior. The red color represents the home colors of FC Bayern Munich, and white for the German national side’s games. Allianz Arena architecture and its color attract fans from all over the world.  

#2 Beijing National Stadium, Beijing – China 

The ‘Bird’s Nest’ cannot be missed when talking about unique stadiums. Design by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, this time in collaboration with prominent Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and CAG lead architect Li Xinggang. Built for the 2008 Olympic Games with a capacity of 80,000 seats the ‘Bird’s Nest’ has become a landmark for China and Beijing that attracts visitors from all over the world.

The facade was initially inspired by Chinese style ‘crazed’ pottery and the randomness of the natural world. The National Stadium is designed in such a way that the spectator will be left wondering which aspects of the structure are functional and which have been included for appearance alone. The Stadium combines a sense of chaos with one of order. In 2022 Beijing will host the Olympic Winter. 

#3 Maracana, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil 

The Maracanã is an icon when it comes to legendary stadiums in Brazil, with a record attendance of 210,000 spectators in the 1950 final match of the FIFA World Cup. Built for this tournament by a group of Brazilian architects the stadium got a recent facelift by Schlaich Bergermann Partner for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Besides other redevelopment works an innovative roof structure was installed as the replacement for the old, unstable concrete roof. The new roof, with a PTFE coated fiberglass membrane, appears as an almost floating roof supporting the stability of the stadium and will lead the Maracanã in a new era. The stadium held the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games 2016.

#4 FNB Stadium, Johannesburg – South Africa

This beautiful stadium is the largest in Africa and it was opened in 1989. The place was also remembered the site of Nelson Mandela’s first speech in 1990 after being released from 27 years in prison. The stadium had a big upgrade for the 2010 World Cup and was designed by Boogertman Urban Edge and Partners in partnership with Populous, the design was inspired by the shape of an “African pot “or “Calabash”.

With a capacity of up to 94,000 fans ,the FNB Stadium has a spectacular exterior feature and at night the circle of illumination at the base light up to simulate a fire under this giant football “pot”. 

#5 Kaohsiung National Stadium, Zuoying District – Taiwan 

The remarkable stadium with semi spiral-shaped like a dragon was completed in 2009 and designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito. The stadium was built for the 2009 World Game and athletes from more than 100 countries competed in 35 types of sports.

With a capacity of 55,000 seats, the stadium uses 6,482 aluminum-framed plates to form the roof 4,482 solar panels. Kaohsiung National Stadium has been achieved the certified for “gold-level green building” based on EEWA (Ecology, Energy, Saving, Waste Reduction, and Health).