Rangers fans have survived some tough spells over the years, though the encouraging support and the fantastically Scottish stadium have kept the feeling of community alive and kicking in Glasgow.  Even after being relegated to the bottom of the football league in Scotland back in 2012, 50,000 Gers fans would still show up each week as the historic Scottish club made their way back up the divisions to once again become Premiership champions in 2021 under Steven Gerrard.

Though not exactly breathtaking in size, the revered and respected Liverpool fans that sit within the walls of Anfield are known to instill fear into any opposition - no matter how big or small. Whether it’s the “This is Anfield” sign located in the tunnel or the famous “You’ll Never Walk Alone” chant, it’s the little things that make Liverpool, Liverpool.

Marry their rich history of great football with the atmosphere (all 81,365 attendees erupting into raptures when a goal goes in) and you have a match made in heaven. There are few greater fortresses in the world that Borussia Dortmund’s ground gets eclipsed by, especially with the Yellow Wall in full force. It's become a mainstay in their club’s history and one of the reasons why the German club are so feared in European and domestic competition.

Located on the outskirts of Paris, overlooking the French capital's ring road, the stadium was inaugurated in 1897 and is the oldest still in use in France.  It is a legendary stadium where some of the greatest players of all time have graced the pitch, both in the colours of the home team (Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Ronaldinho, Rai, David Ginola...) and their opponents (Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Juninho...).

Located in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, the Johan Cruyff Arena is also a major European stadium. Inaugurated in 1997 on the ruins of the former De Meer stadium, which hosted Ajax matches for over 60 years, the Arena now has a capacity of 55,000 - in its football configuration.  Among the most spectacular matches to have been held there, some will remember the memorable encounter between Ajax and Tottenham in the second leg of the 2019 UEFA Champions League semi-final.

First introduced as a multi-sports venue in 1892, Celtic Park has become a cauldron for Scottish football - especially whenever the Old Firm rivals square up. Being the oldest and largest ground in Scotland could be an accolade in itself and its opinion-splitting green colour and loyal fans make this a must-see for any football fan.

Argentina’s well-supported club, Boca Juniors, are known for a lot – one being their wonderful stadium, La Bombonera. What, however, sets this apart from the rest is the earth-quaking atmosphere that rises when a game is on. It’s like a living building – if that makes sense. The wonderful acoustics surrounding the pitch can even make the dullest of games worth attending.

The fifth largest stadium in Europe, with a capacity of 81,000, the Stade de France is universally renowned for having been the venue for the 1998 World Cup final, the scene of Zinedine Zidane's double header against Brazil. This is a stadium familiar with big-name matches, having notably been chosen to host three Champions League finals (2000, 2006, 2022) since its opening.

Coined the “Home of Football”, Wembley reopened in 2007 and was built where the original stadium sat. To top it off, the Wembley Arch is majestic. As well as being used for non-sporting activities it’s fair to say that it's still living up to its reputation of being the heart of English football. Not only is the stadium located in London the home ground of the England national team, but it is also where every club side in the country hopes to end up at the end of the season. 

No aficionado or true ‘groundhopper’ can honestly say they’ve mastered the art without visiting the Italian capital’s famous ground: the San Siro, or the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to give it its full name. Home to two football behemoths AC Milan and Internazionale, it is easily one of the most revered stadiums in the world of football. It is designed in a way to ensure that every match attendee has the best possible visibility – no matter where they find themselves sitting.

Home to the Brazilian national team, the Maracana has seen some outrageous talent step foot on the green of the stadium over the decades. Amazingly, 199,854 people embraced the tight-packed squeeze during Brazil and Uruguay’s World Cup group stage match back in 1950 and has been remembered ever since as one of the most iconic in the sport’s history. Fluminese and Flamengo play their home games in the Maracana, which is also known as Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho. 

Thanks to the beautiful design, Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena – whether it's its curved shape or bright persona – is commonly found at the summit of a match-goer's wishlist. Lit up stunningly at night, the 75,024-seater is really like no other. It feels like home, which is a really special message that Bayern wish to convey.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, opened in 2019, is a state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue with a 62,850-seat capacity, making it the largest club stadium in London. It features a retractable pitch, allowing it to host both football and NFL games seamlessly. A great fact: it has the world’s first in-stadium microbrewery, capable of pouring 10,000 pints per minute, enhancing the matchday experience.

Football’s third-largest stadium had to get a mention, right? 105,000 fans are able to pick up tickets to attend the Mexican-based ground and there were many in attendance to watch Diego Maradona’s famous brace against England during the 1986 World Cup. Scene of one of the most talked about matches in history, Maradona scored his 'Hand of God' goal and the 'Goal of the Century' within the space of four unforgettable minutes etching it into the minds of football fans across the globe.

Its real name is the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Libertiest, named after a former president of the River Plate club. Opened at the end of the 1930s, its unique atmosphere makes it one of the most impressive stadiums on the planet, with thousands of football-related stories lining its bays. And although its capacity has been halved since its inauguration, its atmosphere remains one of the most exciting on the planet.

Manchester United’s famous ground, Old Trafford, is up there alongside football’s most evocative names, with the Stretford End as the club’s pride and glory. And although its tenants are divided about whether its leaky roofs and lack of care are of concern, there’s no doubt that 'The Theatre of Dreams' is truly magnificent.

Portugal is a football-obsessed country, so when they had a fresh new stadium built ahead of Euro 2004, something special had to be done - and none in the country now compares to Benfica’s Estadio da Luz, which is capable of taking in 65,647 attendees. Home to the country’s most illustrious outfit, it became an inspiration for Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium - though its tense atmosphere and exuberant match-going faithful arguably exceed those in north London.

Initially erected in the 1930s, the Stade Velodrome - home of Marseille - remains the largest club football ground in France. The smooth shape of the roof cover adds a sprinkle of unlikeness to the stadium’s clever design and enhances another aspect of the ground: the elevating sound of the match-goers. Not only is the uniquely designed ground an incredible destination for football to be played, but rugby games have also been held in the stadium. 

What’s really special about Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano is that you feel very caved in and part of one community thanks to the overhanging roof above. It also doesn’t attract as many tourists as Barça or Real either, which means the atmosphere is among the very best that La Liga has to offer.

The new Bernabeu is arguably heads and shoulders above everyone else, though that’s what Real Madrid would’ve hoped with such an eye-watering figure being pumped into it. The total cost of renovations to the home of Los Blancos is said to exceed £1 billion. The piste de resistance has to be the roof, which is not only a bit of eye candy, but its practical use of being retractable is the main focal point, while its hospitality terrace is enough to make your heart thump quicker, too.

A stadium with just over 50,000 seats that is brought to life week after week by the passionate supporters of Red Star Belgrade, the resident club. All the more reason for its nickname of ‘Marakana’, a reference to another well-known stadium on the world footballing scene.

Renamed after the Iranian revolution to the English translation of ‘freedom’, the noise the Azadi Stadium can generate on match day is out of this world. Not only does it hold the record attendance for the biggest-ever crowd for a World Cup qualifier (a remarkable 130,000) but it houses other facilities, too - including a swimming pool.  Esteghlal and Persepolis - two clubs in Iran - play their home games inside the Azadi Stadium, and share that honour with the national team.

Camp Nou's capacity once surpassed a jaw-dropping figure of 120,000 for the World Cup finals in 1982 but was forced to be reduced due to changes in laws. But that staggering number of fans in attendance at one time is a testament to its history and how attractive it continues to be. Home to some of the most beautiful football ever played, this stadium will always occupy a special place in many football fans' hearts around the world.

Opened in 1989 in Johannesburg, Soccer City was renovated for the 2010 World Cup and now remains tall and proud as one of the best-looking stadiums in the world. Equipped with a huge capacity, the highest-ever attendance hit just shy of the 95,000 mark five years after it was unveiled for their new tenants, Kaizer Chiefs. 
It will always be remembered for the sound of the vuvuzelas and Siphiwe Tshabalala’s thumping opening goal during the 2010 World Cup finals.