I don't know where else to post this: http://soccer-source.blogspot.com/2009/09/new-series-ranking-worlds-soccer-meccas.html "...Probably no single stadium is the obvious [choice], but Soccer Source came up with a short list and ranked them." Here's the first (or last)
oh no no no. estadio azteca was where brazil won in 1970 and argentina in 1986. where pele and maradona was a world cup. where maradona dribbled through the british defense and scored the hand of god. where carlos alberto scored his famous goal. it doesn't have to be number 1, but it'll be up there.
It´s very close, the best team of all time (Brazil 1970) played there, along with three all-stars (Pele, Maradona, Beckenbauer) and is the fifth largest stadium in the world. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLpMpyMd4rk"]YouTube - Azteca Stadium[/ame] Some others would be the Maracaña [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNyBpik2he0"]YouTube - Maracana Brasil-Ecuador 5-0[/ame] Wembley [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kahvLpZtSSM"]YouTube - cardiff city fc fa cup 2008[/ame] El Bernabéu [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN-E9ELi8J0"]YouTube - Santiago Bernebeu[/ame] La Bombonera [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFk4miHViQ"]YouTube - Cantando com Boca Juniors na Bombonera![/ame] El Centenario [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5_UdmrukTw"]YouTube - LA BANDA DEL PARQUE final del partido vs river en el centenario[/ame] Azadi (for sheer size) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFd6uSCvKqk"]YouTube - Iranian fans in Azadi Stadium Tehran 1[/ame]
Some lesser-known but very large stadia. Rungrado May Day Stadium (Pyongyang, currently the largest in the world) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsPOAL9MZ4Q"]YouTube - TV tower & May Day Stadium in Pyongyang[/ame] Salt Lake ( Kolkata, second largest) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_zTctDX62A"]YouTube - Kahn Out - Rensing In at Salt Lake stadium[/ame] ANZ (Sydney) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PamYU99ZFWY"]YouTube - The Mexican wave at ANZ Stadium[/ame] Olimpiyskiy (Kiev) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_k6TzPTRiU"]YouTube - Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kyiv, Archasia project[/ame] Stade 5 Juillet 1962 (Algiers, Africa´s largest) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znjeThpNS4A"]YouTube - Algerie guinée stade 5 juillet hymne nationale drapeau[/ame] Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo (Guayaquil, South America´s largest outside of Brazil) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSgHZYnYrUE"]YouTube - Clasico del Astillero Boca del Pozo Estadio Monumental[/ame] Croke Park (Dublin) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnlxmgaplT0"]YouTube - National Anthems, Ireland v Wales, Croke Park March 24th '07[/ame] Bung Karno (Jakarta) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHRgPbkf7Qw"]YouTube - Gelora Bung Karno Stadium[/ame] Atatürk (Istanbul) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhSucTzZc7Q"]YouTube - GALATASARAY - BORDEAUX (6)UEFA CL ceremony MÜTH??KAREOGRAF?[/ame] Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56IJYYunsU4"]YouTube - BVB-Bielefeld 6:0 "Unity für Marion" Südtribüne Westfalenstadion SIGNAL IDUNA PARK[/ame] Monumental "U" (Lima) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6F53ePRp5I"]YouTube - Estadio Monumental U - Goool Crema[/ame] Shah Alam Stadium (Shah Alam) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYm4Ef6wP00"]YouTube - Chelsea VS Malaysia @ Stadium Shah Alam[/ame] Giuseppe Meazza (Milan) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBUeiBA-ToU"]YouTube - stadio Giuseppe Meazza di San Siro,,2[/ame] Rose Bowl (Pasadena) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voT5W9Doa-s"]YouTube - Roberto Baggio penalty missed 1994 FIFA World Cup[/ame] La Coliseum (Los Angeles) [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS30oI4OmNs"]YouTube - The wave at the coliseum[/ame]
strahov stadium is bigger than rungrado, just that it is now a training facility. anyway, i thought the thread for mecca;s, not just large stadia.
I was referring to capacity. Many of them aren´t well known worldwide, but are meccas in the regions they´re located in.
This is a fantastic series you have there on your blog, Ed. I like the detailed history in terms of teams, games and players that is provided in that blog. Excellent stuff.
You do realise that as an arrogant, pompous, self-entitled Englishman, I expect to see Wembley Stadium top this list.............
Pleasantly surprised to see Hampden in the top 10. I thought it might have had a chance but as the first five stadiums were revealed my optimism was slipping away. Obviously, being born in Glasgow and a Celtic fan I've seen more than a few matches here. From standing on the terraces of the uncovered 'Celtic End' to sitting in the seats in more recent times, to watch cup finals and Scotland international matches. And also to watch Celtic for a season as we rented Hampden while Parkhead was being rebuilt. (That didn't hold so many good memories) My father was at the legendary 1960 final, along with four of his brothers. A memory that will stay with him forever. Incidentally, regarding 'The Hampden Roar', there are a few different ideas as to why and when it first came into being. One such idea involves legendary Celtic striker, James McGrory. How he only received 7 international caps is an absolute travesty. Anyhow, his late winner at Hampden on April 1st 1933 against England was greeted with such noise by the 134,170 crowd that it went down in history as the legendary phrase - 'The Hampden Roar'.
read the intro, mate! Wembley is excluded: "Just like there is only one true Mecca, can there really only be one true spiritual home of world soccer? Until recently, such a place existed in the form of Wembley Stadium (the most storied grounds in the capital city of the founding nation of the sport? I don't think anybody could compete with that) but the old Wembley was demolished in 2003 and replaced with a new version four years later. Impressive as the new Wembley might be, it simply does not have the history or character (yet) to inherit the title. So who does? Probably no single stadium is the obvious heir apparent, but Soccer Source came up with a short list and ranked them."
That's really interesting. You should edit the Wikipedia entry! What did your dad say about the 1960 final?
The five of them(my dad and his four brothers) always said they'd never seen a match like it. Either before or after. They often went on the 'Wembley Weekends' when the home internationals were played and enjoyed a few good victories down there but nothing came close to the atmosphere, awe and joy of watching that match. It's hard to argue with him when talking about modern football when his stock reply is - Son, Hampden 1960. Don't talk to me about any positives in modern football...
For those interested in reading about the hstory of soccer meccas, check out Temples of the Earthbound Gods: stadiums in the cultural landscapes of Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires: http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/gaftem.html This follows the history and culture of stadiums in these world football cities from the 19th century to the present day.