25 Most Intimidating Stadiums In The World

Celtic Football Club calls Celtic Park home as their fans wildly cheer their lungs off from the 60,355 stands; a capacity that makes Celtic Park the largest stadium in Scotland.

Estadio Azteca is the only stadium which has been able to host two FIFA World Cup finals. This incredibly huge edifice which can seat up to 105,000 spectators is the home of the national football team and the privately owned Club America.

Home to Club Atlético River Plate and the Argentine National Football Team, El Estadio Monumental stadium has a seating capacity of 67,664 and is considered as the national stadium of Argentina.

Located in St. Etienne, this multi-purpose stadium which currently seats 26,500 fans but is currently being redesigned to sit 40,830 fans sets it apart from the rest because of the crazy antics fans employ to encourage their teams. Nicknames such as “Green Hell” and “Le Chaudron” (the Chauldron) should paint the picture.

Hostility is not necessarily the only factor that can be intimidating in a stadium. With a seating capacity of 150,000 people; the Rungrado May stadium in North Korea does an effective job in using its size to intimidate opponents.

The largest stadium in Russia is so intimidating that it can be dangerous even to the fans (who are known for their hostility). This is one stadium where you play at your own risk.

Stadio San Paolo holds over 60,000 people but don’t let the size fool you, fans here are known for being extremely loud and obnoxious. Opposing teams have a reason to fear visiting Napoli.

It’s not as large as the Olympic Stadium in Greece but it sure can draw a crowd that is unlike any other. In fact, this five star rated, 33, 296 capacity stadium was the scene of a post-game tragedy where 21 people where trampled as fans rushed to celebrate a win.

With a seating capacity of 99,786, Camp Nou is Europe’s largest stadium; couple the stadium’s size with a passionate fan base and you have one of Europe’s most intimidating stadiums to play on.

Allianz Arena is the home of Bayern Munich. It boasts of an incredibly vocal fans base which helps place this stadium on our list. The stadium seats 66,000 people, but when standing room is allowed, the attendance can reach 70,000.

San Siro has a capacity of 80,018 with an extremely energetic and rowdy; a combination that is guaranteed to intimidate.

Anfield is one of the most legendary stadiums in England. With a capacity of about 45,000 people, Anfield is a bit smaller than the newer arenas. But what it lacks in size it more than makes up with a committed, relentless, and supportive fan base.

The third biggest association football stadium in the world, this stadium is the biggest in Asia. It has a seating capacity of 84,412 and provides the fans of 2 hometeams, the Persepolis F.C. and Esteghlal F.C. a venue to show their loyalty to these teams with their resounding cheers.

Inonu is another of Turkey’s famous and extremely loud stadium grounds. It is not as spacious as Galatasaray’s home stadium but this stadium provides a venue for the fan’s record breaking 132 decibels roar which is literally louder than thunder. That’s hostile enough for the opponents of the home team to refuse to play on these grounds all together.

The enormous “Temple of the Yellow Wall”, which can seat an amazing 80,552 people and its South grandstand can accommodate 25,000 people, is home to an intimidating and crazy crowd. Either seated or standing, the fans always have energy to wave their flags, throw their confetti; and scream, roar, and chant their heart out.

You would thing that an open roof would help distill sound, but when it comes to Maksimir stadium you’d be wrong. In spite of its low seating capacity; the fans have managed to turn this stadium into a caged nightmare for whatever opponent steps onto the field.

Estadio de Mestalla is Home to the Valencia Club de Fútbol and has a seating capacity of 55,000 people. Its steep terrace allows fans to appear closer and imposing as the players are forced to look into the stands and drown in the fan’s roaring cheers.

After closing up the Ali Sami Yen, this stadium became the new “hell” providing fans a new venue for their feverish excitement and uproar. In 2011, it recorded a ear splitting 131.76 decibels; the world’s “loudest crowd roar in the world” by the Guinness Book of World Records. Talk about intimidation!

The Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, as it is officially named, is a government owned stadium which can seat close to 100,000. In this huge and popular stadium, crowds go ballistic as they cheer and scream for their teams whether in local and international games. Consequently, it’s prone to accidents and fatalities due to the uncontrollable fans.

The second largest cricket stadium in the world by seating capacity accommodating 66,349 fans; these grounds were touted as “cricket’s answer to the Colosseum”. Some historical events in Cricket World Cup history and the endearing cricket aficionados have made Eden Gardens one of the most memorable stadiums in the world.

The Serbian version of Brazil’s Maracana used to seat more than a hundred thousand people but was trimmed down to 51,500. In spite of this downsize, the fans’ energy and fervor more than makes up for it with hooliganism and crazy antics that has proven to be too much to handle for normal spectators.

If two rival teams play in the same home stadium, how heated could the games in this stadium be? Although Peñarol plays with other Uruguayan teams and the Nacional team plays with other countries’ teams, when the two teams and their fans meet, they create one of the most heated and intimidating spectacles around.

“Welcome to Hell!” That’s how the fans greet their opponents to scare the living daylights out of them. Armed with red and orange flares; and their delirious cheers for their team, the Galatasaray fans make it difficult for the opposing team to enjoy the game let alone focus.

With a seating capacity of 57,395, La Bombonera (“The Chocolate Box” as it’s translated in English) reeks of frenzied fans and rocking football madness. It is also formally known as the Estadio Alberto J. Armando and home to Buenos Aires’ Boca Juniors.