Biggest football stadiums in the world revealed as Man Utd announce plans to build 'iconic' 100,000 capacity ground
Published 11/03/2025 at 13:33 GMT
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On Tuesday, Manchester United announced plans to build an "iconic" new 100,000-seater stadium close to Old Trafford worth £2 billion. The club's co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the new development aims to be completed by 2030 and will be the "world's greatest football stadium". But where would the ground's capacity rank when compared to other club sides across the world?
Look around Man Utd's proposed 100,000-seater stadium as plans unveiled
Video credit: SNTV
Manchester United revealed plans to build an "iconic" new 100,000-seater stadium worth £2 billion on Tuesday.
On the announcement, Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the club would be building the "world's greatest football stadium" and plans to have building work finished by 2030.
Such plans would see United leave the historic but decrepit Old Trafford, which has been their home since 1910.
So, how would the prospective capacity of United’s new stadium compare to the other biggest stadiums in the world?
As a caveat, we have only included grounds that host regular club football on a permanent and weekly basis. Thus, there are no national team stadiums on our list. Apologies, Wembley Stadium fans.
10. Stade des Martyrs (AS Vita Club - 80,000)
The Stade des Martyrs is home of AS Vita Club, who are among the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s most successful sides.
Located in Lingwala, the ground also hosts national team fixtures. The stadium, which was opened in 1994, has an official capacity of 80,000 that can be extended to 100,000.
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Stade des Martyrs in Congo is among the biggest stadiums in the world (EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
9. San Siro (AC Milan and Inter Milan - 80,018)
Among the world’s most iconic grounds, the San Siro is home to Milan rivals AC and Inter. While it can hold up to 80,018 people, its capacity is usually 75,817.
As the largest stadium in Italy, it has been the backdrop to a spate of FIFA World Cup matches, concerts and four European Cup finals.
The San Siro was set to be demolished and replaced after hosting the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2026, but has since been saved from demolition on account of its cultural heritage.
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San Siro
Image credit: Getty Images
8. Estadio Monumental (Club Universitario de Deportes - 80,093)
The Estadio Monumental’s capacity of 80,093 makes it the second-largest stadium in South America.
Built in 2000 in Lima, Peru, it is the home ground of Club Universitario de Deportes. The ground also successfully hosted the 2019 Copa Libertadores final between Flamengo and River Plate.
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Estadio Monumental is the home ground of Club Universitario de Deportes.
Image credit: Getty Images
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7. Signal Iduna Park (Borussia Dortmund - 81,365)
Signal Iduna Park is among the most iconic football stadiums in Europe on account of its ‘Yellow Wall’ - the largest freestanding grandstand in Europe and home to Borussia Dortmund’s most vocal supporters.
The ground officially opened in 1974, but was renovated ahead of the 2006 World Cup to have an official capacity of 81,365 for domestic matches.
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Dortmund's Yellow Wall generates one of the fiercest atmospheres in world football.
Image credit: Getty Images
6. Estadio Mas Monumental (River Plate - 84,567)
The Estadio Mas Monumental is slightly larger than the aforementioned Estadio Monumental and, superbly, translates as ‘the More Monumental Stadium’.
Home to Argentinean giants River Plate, the ground boasts one of the most animated atmospheres in world football.
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Estadio Mas Monumental is River Plate's home ground.
Image credit: Getty Images
5. Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid - 81,044, soon to be 85,000)
Real Madrid’s ground, which has been undergoing a face lift since 2019, is set to boast a capacity of up to 85,000 upon completion, as well as a retractable pitch and roof.
The makeover to Los Blancos’ stadium - which had been delayed by the pandemic - will see the capacity increase from its former total of 81,044.
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Santiago Bernabeu
Image credit: Getty Images
4. Estadio Azteca (Club America and Cruz Azul - 87,523)
In 2026, the Estadio Azteca will become the only venue to host three editions of the World Cup finals when Mexico co-hosts the competition alongside the USA and Canada.
The ground has been the backdrop to some of football’s most famous moments, including Brazil’s 4-1 demolition of Italy in the 1970 World Cup final and Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal against England in 1986.
La Liga MX sides Club America and Cruz Azul share the ground for their home games.
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The Estadio Azteca was the backdrop to Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal.
Image credit: Getty Images
3. FNB Stadium (Kaizer Chiefs - 94,797)
The KNB Stadium opened in 1989 and went on to stage Nelson Mandela’s famous speech upon his release from prison.
A year after being renovated, it provided the setting for Siphiwe Tshabalala's stunning strike in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup finals as Spain beat the Netherlands.
The 94,736 capacity stadium is home to Kaizer Chiefs.
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Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the opening goal of the South Africa World Cup at the FNB Stadium.
Image credit: Getty Images
2. Manchester United’s new stadium (Man Utd - 100,000)
Manchester United’s new ground will be the biggest in the United Kingdom and, at the time of its expected completion, the second-largest club ground in world football.
Criticism of Old Trafford, England's biggest club ground with a 74,140 capacity, has grown in recent years, with the stadium having not had significant redevelopment since 2006.
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Visual of Man Utd's proposed new stadium (Courtesy of Foster + Partners)
Image credit: Other Agency
1. Camp Nou (Barcelona - 99,354, soon to be 105,000)
Barcelona’s ground is the biggest club football stadium on the planet, and has hosted five World Cup games as well as the 1999 Champions League final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
The stadium is currently undergoing major redevelopment, however, with Barcelona having been temporarily forced out since the 2023/24 campaign to allow for building to continue.
Once the work is completed in 2026, the stadium will boast 105,000 seats and world-class facilities.
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Construction work on the third tier of the Spotify Camp Nou, January 7, 2025.
Image credit: Getty Images
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