This is the list of the top 10 Largest soccer stadiums in Spain. These grounds are the most beautiful and are massive in size. Without formality, here are the top 10 largest football stadiums in Spain:
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- Camp Nou
- Santiago Bernabéu
- Metropolitano Stadium
- Benito Villamarín
- La Cartuja
- Lluís Companys
- San Mamés
- Mestalla
- Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán
- RCDE Stadium
Let’s dive right in.
1. Camp Nou ( 99, 354 Capacity )
Camp Nou’s capacity has developed significantly over time, having expanded its capacity to accommodate 121,401 attendees during the 1982 FIFA World Cup. The arena’s ever-changing capacity mirrors the growth of football’s influence on Spanish culture.
However, Camp Nou is home to both Barcelona FC and the Catalan team where it has seen countless victories and heroic performances.
Aside from its league matches, the stadium has hosted a lot of football events, including the 1989 European Cup final where Milan triumphed over Steaua București with a 4-0 victory.
Camp Nou was also a central venue for the 1992 Summer Olympics, hosting part of the football competition, including the final match.
In preparation for these events, the stadium experienced changes, including the addition of two tiers of seating over the original roof-line. The Camp Nou has evolved to meet modern standards while retaining its historic appeal.
Renovations in 1993-94 introduced changes like lowering the pitch by 2.5 meters, enhancing security measures, and replacing standing rooms with individual seating.
Over the years, improvements like a new press box, updated lighting and sound systems, and expanded parking were introduced to ensure an exceptional fan experience.
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2. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium ( 81, 044 Capacity )
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is undergoing a changeover that promises to redefine the stadium experience and usher in a new era of football splendor. With an eye-watering € 525 million investment, the stadium’s renovation journey commenced in 2019.
The rehabilitation blueprint boasts a breathtaking expansion, adding an extra tier that will strengthen the stadium’s capacity by approximately 4,000 seats.
This ambitious labor is set to tip the scales just beyond the 85,000 mark, making the stadium even more very big. The stadium’s redevelopment introduces vertical growth, with its height moving by ten meters.
Moreover, the concept of shelter takes on a new dimension with the incorporation of a retractable roof. This dynamic addition ensures that match days remain unaffected by the unstable weather, offering fans an unimpeded view of the action come rain or shine.
The revamped Santiago Bernabéu is poised to be an attraction for visitors year-round. With plans for additional restaurants, a shopping center, and even a hotel, the stadium becomes a destination beyond matchday.
A cutting-edge “digital stadium of the future” takes center stage, featuring a 360-degree screen and the pièce de résistance, a retractable roof that will undoubtedly redefine the stadium’s allure.
3. Metropolitano Stadium ( 68, 456 Capacity )
This arena, originally known as La Peineta, has undergone a transformative expedition that has reshaped it into a modern stadium.
The idea of this field was from the ambitious plans of the Sports Council of the Community of Madrid in the early 1990s. The stadium’s inception was fueled by the city’s bid to host the 1997 World Athletics Championships.
It was located in eastern Madrid, near the M-40 motorway and Madrid–Barajas Airport, and the construction commenced in 1990, The stadium was opened in November 1993, with an inauguration ceremony in September 1994.
In 2004, the stadium took an unexpected turn as it became an integral part of Madrid’s bid for the 2012 Olympics. However, the bid fell through, and the stadium stayed in a state of flux. With a seating capacity of 68,000, the stadium boasts a state-of-the-art roof that blankets the seat of every fan.
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4. Estadio Benito Villamarín ( 60, 270 Capacity )
With a seating capacity of 60,720, the Estadio Benito Villamarín gives a summary of football in Seville. The stadium saw its inaugural moment on March 17, 1929, with an international match where Spain triumphed over Portugal 5-0.
During the years of the Spanish Civil War, the stadium experienced both petitions by the Seville City Council and damage due to the war.
It wasn’t until March 12, 1939, that the stadium, now renamed Estadio Benito Villamarín, emerged from the shadows of conflict.
The stadium became the belongings of Real Betis in 1961, in honor of former club president Benito Villamarín. It also saw a significant shift for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, hosting two group matches during the tournament. The recent expansion, completed in August 2017, boosted its capacity from 52,000 to 60,720.
5. Estadio de La Cartuja ( 57, 619 Capacity )
This stadium is multi-purpose with a seating capacity of 57,619, it’s the 5th-largest stadium in Spain and the second-largest in Andalusia.
It was a contender in Seville’s bids for the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. Even though those dreams didn’t come true. Both Real Betis and Sevilla FC stuck to their own homes, waiting for a temporary refuge during renovations.
The stadium’s care is a collective effort. Managed by the Sociedad Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla S.A., it’s a partnership that involves the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Spanish Government, Seville City Council, Seville Congress of Deputies, and Real Betis and Sevilla FC.
The Spain national football team has played on its turf, It has also hosted the Copa del Rey final and the home game of Real Betis against Villarreal in 2007 when circumstances prompted a change.
Even the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation has chosen this avenue for the Davis Cup final twice in 2004 and 2011. The stadium’s popularity grew further when the Royal Spanish Football Federation chose it to host four Copa del Rey finals from 2020 to 2023. It replaces San Mamés Stadium for UEFA Euro 2020 as part of the UEFA Festival.
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6. Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys ( 55, 926 Capacity )
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys stadium has seen incredible changeovers over the years, hosting events that span generations and disciplines.
In 1927, this stadium was built for the 1929 International Exposition and Barcelona’s Olympics bid (though the 1936 games went elsewhere). But it became active during the 1992 Summer Olympics.
An Italian architect named Vittorio Gregotti worked his magic in 1989, making the stadium the heart of the ’92 Olympics and Paralympics.
Today, it’s lending a helping hand to FC Barcelona, providing a temporary home while Camp Nou gets a makeover for the 2023–24 season.
With about 54,000 seats (way more during the ’92 Olympics), this stadium is a significant avenue in Spain, second only to one in Catalonia.
7. San Mamés ( 53, 331 Capacity )
San Mamés is an all-seater stadium, located on Rafael Moreno Pitxi Taxi Kalea. The stadium’s gossip began on September 16, 2013, when it replaced the “old” San Mamés as the home of Athletic Bilbao.
San Mamés is that avenue with 53,331 capacity. It’s the 7th-largest stadium in Spain and is one of the biggest in the Basque Country.
Despite economic challenges, the Basque Government, Bilbao City Council, Biscay Provincial Council, Athletic, and BBK/Kutxabank combined forces to bring the stadium to life.
The use of public funds was observed, but no shadows of doubt lingered after confirmation from the commissioner for competition. On September 16, 2013, San Mamés was officially inaugurated.
As the stadium continued to develop, the roof was extended to better shield with a sophisticated lighting system, much like the iconic Allianz Arena. San Mamés hosted rugby finals, and MTV concerts, and even made history as the host of the Copa del Rey final.
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8. Mestalla Stadium ( 49, 430 Capacity )
Valencia Club de Fútbol plays their home games at Mestalla Stadium, a ground that has a 49,430-seat capacity. It is one of the largest stadiums in Spain.
The name “Mestalla” can be related to an ancient irrigation canal, where some of Valencia’s past shaped its culture. On May 20, 1923, Mestalla hosted a friendly match between Valencia CF and Levante UD.
The stadium started small, accommodating 17,000 fans, but over the years, it changed. The 1950s witnessed renovations that turned it into a 60,000-seater supporter.
In 1969, the stadium was renamed Estadio Luis Casanova, paying tribute to club president Luis Casanova Giner. This honor stood for a quarter-century until Casanova humbly requested a return to the stadium’s original name in 1994, Mestalla.
Mestalla was one of the main stadiums in the 1982 World Cup and the 1992 Summer Olympics. This ground has also witnessed one of the biggest rivalries in football, the El Clásico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
9. Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium ( 42, 714 Capacity )
Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium is named after Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, a former president of Sevilla Fútbol Club who was instrumental in the club’s success. This stadium is super huge, and it has caught some of football’s most exciting moments.
It hosted the 1986 European Cup Final between Steaua București and Barcelona, the 1982 World Cup semi-final between West Germany and France, and the 2022 Europa League final between Eintracht Frankfurt and Rangers.
Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium has a capacity of 42,714 seats, making it the third-largest stadium in Andalusia and the ninth-largest in Spain.
Its history goes back to the time of Juan Domínguez Osborne, who acquired the land that would become the stadium’s foundation.
The first game that was played at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium was a friendly match between Sevilla and Jaén. And over the years, the stadium has undergone changeovers.
In May 2018, Sevilla Fútbol Club announced an expansion project that will increase the seating capacity to 47,000, creating more space for fans.
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10. Stage Front Stadium ( 40, 000 Capacity )
Stage Front Stadium, also known as Estadi Cornellà-El Prat is a spectacular all-seater football stadium in the urban area of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
This ground has been constructed over three years at a cost of around €60 million. With a capacity of 40,000 seats, it is the 10th-largest stadium in Spain and the 3rd-largest in Catalonia.
The stadium became RCD Espanyol’s home in 2009, taking over from their previous venue, the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. You can tell that this stadium hosts an entertainment show too. The lively sounds of The Black Eyed Peas once happened there during their E.N.D World Tour, thrilling 30,000 fans.
Also, German metal legends Rammstein also used the stadium in June 2019 as part of their Europe Stadium Tour, drawing a crowd of 33,825 fans.
However, It was proposed to rename the stadium in honor of the late club captain Daniel Jarque, who tragically passed away just days after the stadium’s inaugural match, but the club hasn’t made a final decision.
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