The world’s largest stadiums are often defined by their capacity to accommodate the most spectators, standing out for their spectacular designs and historical and cultural significance.
Here are some of the world's largest stadiums, notable for their size unique features, and importance.
The largest stadium in the world is the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, located on Ryeongra Island in the Taedong River in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. This colossal structure can accommodate up to 150,000 spectators.
However, it serves as a comprehensive sports and cultural venue for various events, including football matches, and its primary use is for large-scale performances.
The stadium is famously known for hosting the world’s largest group performance, with more than 100,000 participants, and the art performance "Arirang." It also played a significant role as the main venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 13th World Youth Festival in 1989.
In Asia, another major stadium is the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, India, also known as the Yuba Bharati Krirangan. With a seating capacity of 120,000, it is the second-largest stadium in the world.
This stadium is a key venue for football events, including the traditional Kolkata derby between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. It serves as the home ground for the Indian national football team as well as for prominent Indian clubs such as Mohun Bagan, Mohammedan Sporting, and East Bengal.
Ranking third is the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, situated in the ultra-modern city of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Built for the 1998 Commonwealth Games, this stadium has become the home ground for the Malaysian football team.
It can hold up to 110,000 spectators and has been a significant venue for various sporting events, including the 2007 Asian Cup football matches.
The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City holds the fourth position on the list. Constructed in 1966 and completed after four years of work, it has a capacity of 105,000 and features three tiers.
This stadium is renowned for its historical significance in the world of football. It is the only stadium to have hosted the FIFA World Cup finals twice.
The 1970 World Cup final, where Pelé bid farewell to his international career with a stunning performance, saw Brazil defeat Italy 4-1. In the 1986 World Cup, the stadium was the site of Diego Maradona's legendary "Hand of God" goal during the quarter-final match between Argentina and England.
These stadiums are not merely venues for grand sporting events but also embody rich cultural and historical narratives. Each one represents an extraordinary engineering feat and holds a revered place in the hearts of sports enthusiasts around the globe.