The 5 largest stadiums in the world are among the most impressive structures ever built for sport. Each of them can hold over 100,000 spectators, making them comparable in size to entire cities gathered together in a single venue. Ranked by official capacity, these stadiums are used primarily for football (both soccer and American football) and cricket, and they remain some of the most iconic landmarks in their respective countries.
In this article, I’ve compiled the five biggest stadiums by seating capacity, including their location, year of completion, primary use, and some fun facts about their design and history. Photographs are included to give a sense of scale, and while many new stadiums continue to be built worldwide, it’s unlikely that future projects will exceed these records.
1. Narendra Modi Stadium – 132,000
- Location: Ahmedabad, India
- Completion: 2020
- Cost: US $100 Million
- Primary Use: Cricket
- Coordinates: 23°05′29″N 72°35′50″E
Fun Facts:
- Hosts the largest cricket matches in the world
- It was fully rebuilt between 2015 and 2020 on the site of the old Sardar Patel Stadium
- Its design allows sections to be reconfigured into smaller grounds
A Cricket Premi, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2. Rungrado 1st of May Stadium – 114,000
- Location: Pyongyang, North Korea
- Completion: 1989
- Cost: Not publicly accessible
- Primary Use: Soccer matches and athletics games
- Coordinates: 39°2′59″N 125°46′31″E
Fun Facts:
- Its roof design was inspired by a magnolia blossom
- It has been used for synchronized gymnastics with more than 100,000 performers
- The stadium once staged a mass wrestling event that lasted several days
Views_from_Yanggakdo_International_Hotel_10.JPG: Nicorderivative work: Hic et nunc, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3. Michigan Stadium – 107,600
- Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Completion: 1927 (Expanded over time)
- Cost: US $300 Million
- Primary Use: College football
- Coordinates: 42.2661°N 83.7508°W
Fun Facts:
- It’s nicknamed “The Big House”
- The largest stadium in the United States
- In winter, the field is heated to prevent snow from sticking
Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4. Beaver Stadium – 106,500
- Location: Penn State University Park, USA
- Completion: 1960 (Expanded over time)
- Cost: US $700 Million
- Primary Use: College Football
- Coordinates: 40.8121°N 77.8560°W
Fun Facts:
- The “White Out” tradition turns the stands into a sea of white clothing
- It sits at one of the highest elevations of any major football stadium in the U.S
- The student section is considered one of the most intimidating in college football
acaben, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
5. Ohio Stadium – 102,800
- Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Completion: 1922 (Expanded over time)
- Cost: US $200 Million
- Primary Use: College Football
- Coordinates: 40°0′6″N 83°1′11″W
Fun Facts:
- Its horseshoe shape was originally left open to avoid enclosing a nearby road
- It has been the site of massive concerts, from Pink Floyd to Taylor Swift
- The playing surface was once natural grass but was switched to turf to handle wear
Lectrician2, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons