The popularity of soccer in Germany and around the world means that stadiums need to hold huge crowds. Find out more about the biggest soccer stadiums.
Bundesliga Stadiums
Temple, church, arena – soccer stadiums can sometimes feel like a second home to many fans. Every weekend, hundreds or even thousands of fans flock to their closest soccer stadium to cheer on their favorite team – or indeed, travel hundreds of miles to do just that at away games.
Apart from the spectacle of the match, the stadium alone can often make the trip worthwhile. In Germany, you can visit many amazing soccer stadiums where Bundesliga matches are held, including the historic Olympic Stadium in Berlin, Bremen’s Weser Stadium, the ultra-modern Allianz Arena in Munich or the Westfalen Stadium (also known as the Signal Iduna Park) in Dortmund, which is the biggest stadium in Germany. Unlike other countries, many stadiums in Germany facilitate standing spaces which can create an even more immersive atmosphere.
Did you know?
There is a phenomenon called “groundhopping” in which participating fans will try to visit as many stadiums as possible. Fans call themselves “groundhoppers” or simply, “hoppers” and will often keep detailed records of their stadium visits. Many even plan their holidays based on the stadium they want to visit next.
Record-breaking statistics for Bundesliga soccer stadiums
How big is a soccer stadium? As previously mentioned, Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund is the biggest stadium in Germany with over 81,365 seats. It is also famous for its standing area, often referred to as the “South Stand” or “Yellow Wall”, which has room for an additional 25,000 spectators. The British newspaper, “The Times”, even declared this stadium as “the best stadium in the world” back in 2009.
The Stadion an der Alten Försterei (directly translated as “Stadium at the Old Forester's Lodge”), is the smallest stadium in Germany, yet still one of the most atmospheric. It is the home training ground of 1. FC Union Berlin and has capacity for only 22,012 spectators. This however makes for a closer, more electric atmosphere when fans cheer on their teams during matches.
Some of the current Bundesliga stadiums and their capacities (as of 2025) are:
Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund, Dortmund, Germany
Capacity: 81,365
Allianz Arena, FC Bayern Munich, Munich, Germany
Capacity: 75,024
Olympic Stadium Berlin, Hertha BSC, Berlin, Germany
Capacity: 74,475
VELTINS-Arena, FC Schalke 04, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Capacity: 62,271
Mercedes-Benz Arena, VfB Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
Capacity: 60,058
Borussia-Park, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Mönchengladbach, Germany
Capacity: 54,057
Deutsche Bank Park, Eintracht Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Capacity: 58,000
RheinEnergieSTADION, 1. FC Köln, Cologne, Germany
Capacity: 49,698
Red Bull Arena, RasenBallsport Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Capacity: 47,800
WESERSTADION, SV Werder Bremen, Bremen, Germany
Capacity: 42,100
Bundesliga stadium name changes
In the past, German soccer stadiums were usually named after their location, e.g. the Westfalen Stadium in Dortmund. Nowadays, stadium naming rights are often sold for sponsorship reasons, for example, the Westfalen Stadium being commonly referred to as the Signal Iduna Park, called after an insurance company of the same name. Another example is the stadium Sportpark Ronhof | Thomas Sommer in Fürth. This stadium bears a name made from a combination of the original stadium name and that of the real estate agent, Thomas Sommer. Going back to 1997, it has also been called “Playmobil Stadium”, “Trolli Arena” and “Stadion am Laubenweg”.
Only a few soccer stadiums in Germany still bear the names that are interwoven with the history of their respective clubs. This includes St. Pauli's Millerntor Stadium and Kaiserslautern's Fritz Walter Stadium, which is named after the greatest player in the club's history.
The appeal of German soccer stadiums
Many soccer fans across the globe are particularly fond of the Bundesliga and the stadiums in Germany. Even though the English Premier League enjoys a reputation as one of the best leagues in the world, the Bundesliga regularly draws English fans to matches in Germany. Not only are these fans drawn to the high-quality of play in games, but also to the lower costs and spirited stadium atmospheres.
Due to high ticket prices in the U.K., the atmosphere at games can be quite subdued. A standing-room season ticket for a Bundesliga soccer stadium costs between $150 and $235 (145-225 euro) per season. An equivalent Premier League ticket on the other hand might cost you anything from $382 - $1,063 US (320 to 890 British pound sterling).
Another appealing factor of German soccer stadiums which successfully draws fans from around the world is the culinary offerings. Beer can be consumed at matches in Germany, which is generally banned in many other stadiums around the world. The German sausage, very often readily available at Bundesliga games, is another allure that attracts soccer fans to small and large arena soccer stadiums there year after year.
The NFL in soccer stadiums in Germany
Munich and Frankfurt will host two National Football League (NFL) games in 2023. The interest in football on the other side of the Atlantic has been steadily increasing over the past decade.
The first NFL game played in Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena in 2022 saw significant fan demand for tickets and broke records of TV viewership. After such success two more games have been announced in 2023. Because the size of these soccer stadiums can accommodate large numbers of fans, the Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots are set to square off in Munich and Frankfurt.
Finally German and other European fans will be able to watch the games live and not just from their couch.
Soccer stadiums in the biggest soccer nations
To name the biggest soccer nation in the world is virtually impossible. What each and every country has in common is their unwavering love of the sport. However, there are some nations that do, in fact, rank as having some of the biggest stadiums in the world.
Argentina
Soccer is extremely popular in central and south American countries, so it is no surprise that one of the largest soccer stadiums in that part of the world is located in Argentina.
The Monumental de Nunez, affectionately known as El Monumental, in Buenos Aires has a seating capacity of 83,196. It is home to River Plate - Argentina’s national team and has hosted four finals of the Copa América, most recently in 2011.
Spain
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have a historically competitive relationship and both teams are home to the largest soccer stadiums in Spain. Built between 1954-1957, Barcelona’s Camp Nou (which translates as “new field”) has a seating capacity of 99,800, almost 20,000 more than Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
In a renaming deal in 2022 that reportedly cost $310 million, FC Barcelona’s stadium is now called the Spotify Camp Nou.
Italy
Italy’s biggest soccer stadium is also one of the largest in the world. Located in Milan in northern Italy, the San Siro stadium can seat 80,018 spectators.
Both AC Milan and Inter Milan call the soccer field of this stadium home. Similar to many other stadiums, it is an arena for other entertainment. San Siro will also host the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in 2026.
United Kingdom
The largest soccer stadium in the United Kingdom is Wembley Arena. Located in London, this is one of the biggest stadiums in the world and holds about 90,000 spectators. Amazingly, each spectator can enjoy unobstructed views no matter which teams play.
Host to other sporting events from rugby to greyhound racing to speedway championships – it also hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics. Like Munich and Frankfurt, the NFL will also play games at Wembley in 2023.
Did you know:
Wembley stadium was once described by soccer legend, Pele, as "the cathedral of football. It is the capital of football and it is the heart of football."
Wembley stadium hosted England’s World Cup win in 1966 and celebrated its centenary in 2023. Wembley is more than just a sporting arena - it's equally famous for being a major music venue that hosts top-name acts like Taylor Swift, Madonna & Bruce Springsteen.
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is home to the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. Technically only the third largest stadium in Asia, it is used as a venue for soccer games and as an arena for concerts. It has a seating capacity of 87,411 and a pitch size of 344 feet by 223 feet (105 meters by 68 meters).