Sport
What are the best sports stadiums since 2010?
The past decade has seen many sporting clubs leave old homes behind and move into shiny new stadiums. Across the world, these impressive megastructures tower over players and amaze fans. Some were built especially for major events whilst others were strategic plans that have been in the pipelines for years. Whilst so many new venues looking and feeling impressive, what have emerged to become the best and most impressive sports stadiums built in the 2010s?
The 7 best sports stadiums built since 2010
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, England)
Having been at White Hart Lane for almost a century, it’s strange to see Spurs playing in a new stadium but what an incredible stadium it is. The new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium towers over North London and is one of the best sports stadiums anywhere in the world. Its main party trick is that it has the world’s first dividable pitch allowing it to be changed according to the event that is happening next. It has direct connections to both the London Underground and overground lines making it easy to access for fans no matter how they are travelling. It also has a capacity of just over 62,000 giving them a higher capacity than cross-town rivals Arsenal at the Emirates, a small but important bragging right. Could it also be in line to see some Euro 2020 action?
Motera Stadium (Ahmedabad, India)
Indians love their cricket so it’s only fitting that the rebuilt Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad is set to become the new home. Rebuilt on the direct grounds of the old stadium, the Motera is now the second-largest stadium in the world seating 115,000 people with fully covered grandstands around the circular pitch. The stadium’s record attendance so far is 125,000 when the stadium hosted a special ceremony featuring US President Donald Trump’s tour of the country. However, Ahmedabad looks set to be the next city to get an IPL franchise so don’t be surprised to see that record fall in the future. The stadium will remain the largest active sports stadium in the world although it still falls 40,000 behind the largest in the world – the Rungrado Stadium in North Korea.
Mercedes-Benz Arena (Atlanta, USA)
New stadiums are popping up all over the US but there is something about the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Atlanta that catches the eye. It could be the flashy angular exterior façade or it could be the pinwheel-shaped roof that is fully retractable giving a futuristic vibe. Whatever it is, the stadium enjoys action all year round as home for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and the MLS’s Atlanta United. Indeed, it is by far the most impressive MLS stadium and regularly sells out both sports making it a worthwhile investment for sports fans in Georgia. Whilst on the pitch, you can see straight out of one end of the stadium to the downtown area meaning that you can always feel the city’s vibe no matter what’s going on or off the pitch.
Ak Bars Arena (Kazan, Russia)
A lot of new stadiums were built across Russia ahead of the 2018 World Cup however the Ak Bars Arena is Kazan eclipses all those before it and is one of the best sports stadiums built in the last decade. Built for the 2013 Summer Universiade, the stadium looks like a spaceship crashing into the earth. The 45,000 seater stadium is a truly versatile venue that has hosted everything from football to bandy and even the FINA Swimming World Championships. The outside facade of the stadium can also be turned into a giant viewing screen making it’s the world’s largest display when in use. A great bonus for any late arrivals to a game.
Philippine Arena (Manila, Philippines)
Set in the heart of the sprawling metropolis of Manila, you will find one of Asia’s most unique sporting venues – the Philippine Arena. The sprawling dome towers above the area and with a capacity of 55,000 and is the world’s largest arena. It has hosted a large variety of events spanning from baseball, theatres, and even boxing events. It has already earned notoriety for hosting the ill-tempered match between the Philippines and Australia where both teams ended in a mass brawl earning a fearsome reputation for visiting teams to visit. A sporting cauldron built for the modern age!
Forsyth Barr Stadium (Dunedin, New Zealand)
It may look extremely fragile but the glass facades of Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium have a look unmatched anywhere in the world. The glass paneling around the exterior and roof makes it one of the best and most well-lit sports stadiums in the world since it opened in 2011. It regularly hosts both rugby and football matches and has hosted several high profile events such as the Rugby World Cup. It also became the first fully enclosed grass stadium pitch in the world once it opened – a trait that is becoming increasingly common among many new stadiums around the world.
San Mames (Bilbao, Spain)
Bilbao is home to several striking buildings across the city and the new San Mames stadium adds to the futuristic vibe of the city. Shaped like a boat emerging onto the water, it hangs over the riverside paying homage to Bilbao’s maritime history. The outer edges of the stadium are covered in light bars that change colours giving an ethereal glow to the cityscape. Inside, the 45,000 seater stadium roars to life when La Liga side Athletic are playing making it one of the most passionate and vibrant venues to watch a game of football anywhere in Europe.
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